Book Review: National Center for the Study of Children's Literature

Beiser, Tim. Bradley McGogg, The Very Fine Frog. Illus. Rachel Berman, Toronto: Tundra, 2008. ISBN 978-0-88776-864-4. Can. $19.99/ U.S. $17.95. Ages 4-9.

Review by Marie Soriano
National Center for the Study of Children's Literature
San Diego State University
Department of English and Comparative Literature

One day frog Bradley McGogg finds there is no food left in his pantry. What is he to do?! He decides to ask his neighbors to share their food with him. He visits the mouse, bear, hare, and cow. But they do not have the tasty food he's expecting! This hilarious story can be used from a number of angles to teach children. Adults could use this book to teach children that people have personal tastes, that people from different cultures eat different foods/dishes, that animals have different diets, or even that we need to be and can be polite when we don't wish to eat the food that someone has graciously offered us. Rachel Berman's illustrations in beautifully detailed watercolor capture frog's personality and bring the anthropomorphic animals to vivid life, bringing back memories of The Wind in the Willows. Frog wears Birkenstocks, Hare wears a redcoat and tails with a checkered waistcoast and Bear wears a yellow and white beanie and vest ensemble. The colors are neutral, toned down like cream, olive green and shades of brown. The illustrations are contained, not all over the page, and the text is above or below the pictures, so this might be a good book for kids who have outgrown simpler picture books.

"Best Book!" says Canadian Children's Book Centre

Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog made the list of the 2010 Best Books for Kids in the category Picture Books for Kids Ages 1 and Up by the Canadian Children's Book Centre!

The Canadian Children's Book Centre is a national, not-for-profit organization founded in 1976. The CCBC is dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing, illustrating and publishing of Canadian books for young readers.

Word of Mouse Book Review

If I had to judge Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog ...
Word of Mouse Book Reviews
August 20, 2010

... Now the story is great but the rhyming text is so fun to read and so different than any other book that it makes this worth the read and purchase. I can't imagine any child getting sick of this book or any parent for that matter.

Berman's illustrations match the fresh and unique text. Her depictions of the Brad McGogg the finicky frog in his sandals, jaunty bow tie and striped overalls are magnificent (who could not love a frog in sandals?!) I love the expressions that all the animals in the story have, especially Brad. I love their clothes and the animals' table settings and the fine food they prepare. This book is truly an exploration in epicurean delights that would please any aficionado!

(To read the full review, please go to: HERE )

MAY 2010 TOUR DATES

Tim Beiser will be making the following personal appearances during the month of May:

May 3 - Orangeville Public Library, Orangeville, Ontario
May 3 - Princess Elizabeth School, Orangeville, Ontario
May 4 - Holy Name School, Toronto, Ontario
May 5 - St. Cornelius School, Caledon, Ontario
May 5 - Albion-Bolton Community Centre, Bolton, Ontario
May 10 - E.W. Foster Elementary, Milton, Ontario
May 20 - Streetsville Branch Library, Missisaugua, Ontario

In the News

Children's book author visits Harrow schools

The Harrow News, Tues. April 13, 2010

Page 6

Harrow Junior school was recently visited by Tim Beiser, author of the award nominated children's book, Bradley McGogg: The Very Fine Frog. Beiser spoke to students from both Harrow Junior and Harrow Senior School about his books and becoming an author.

by Heather Gignac

Students from harrow Junior and Senior Public Schools partook in some interactive storytelling when award nominated author, Tim Beiser, came for a visit on April 1.

Meeting with a range of students from grades one through four, Beiser took the classes through a reading of his award nominated new children's book, Bradley McGogg: A Very Fine Frog and then a dramatization of the popular Grim's Fairy Tale, The Frog Prince.

Bradley McGogg: A Very fine Frog is Beiser's first children's book. It tells the story of a frog who lives in a bog and finds his food pantry suddenly bare. Bradley Mcgogg must set out to meet his neighbours in the hopes that they will share some of their food with him, only to find that not all creatures eat alike.

"I think the children really enjoyed Mr. Beiser's visit," said Cathy Franklin, librarian for Harrow Junior School. "His book is very clever and creative, it's all written in rhyme and the kids really have a fun time reading it."

Bradley McGogg: A Very Fine Frog is nominated for an Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Award in the Blue Spruce category. All nominated books are read by select groups of students throughout the province who then vote on their favourite for a winner.

"The awards are set in place to encourage children of all ages to read," said Franklin.

Harrow Junior Senior School students are partaking in this year's Forest of Reading program and will be voting on their favourite book in the blue Spruce category. There are nine other nominees along with Beiser's book.

In the News

Children’s author comes to local school during area tour

Posted By Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo

AMHERSTBURG — A Toronto-based author up for a children's book award stopped by Malden Central Public School to share his work with the public.

J. Timothy Hunt, who writes the children's books under the name Tim Beiser, concluded a three-day trip to the Windsor-Essex County area Thursday as part of a tour promoting his book "Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog."

The book is nominated for an Ontario Library Association "Blue Spruce Award" for books geared towards students in the primary grades. Students in Malden Central's youngest age groups were those who heard him read from his books Thursday afternoon.

"This is fun," said Hunt. "I've got two little boys at home so I love being around kids. I love talking to kids, answering their questions and letting them use their imagination. It makes me really happy."

-----

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.

APRIL 2010 TOUR DATES

Tim Beiser will be making the following personal appearances during the month of April:

April 1 - Harrow Junior P.S., Harrow, Ontario
April 1 - Malden Central P.S, Amherstburg, Ontario
April 9 - Adam Beck PS., Scarborough, Ontario
April 14 - Valley Farm PS, Pickering, Ontario
April 19 - Woburn Jr. P.S., Scarborough, Ontario
April 20 - Hamilton Public Library, Hamilton, Ontario
April 21 - Hamilton Public Library, Hamilton, Ontario
April 27 - Williamsburg P.S., Kitchener, Ontario
April 28 - St. Michael the Archangel School, Barrie

CBA Libris Awards Nomination

Bradley McGogg, The Very Fine Frog has been shortlisted for the Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Award for CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR!

The CBA Libris Awards are voted on by members of the book industry. The award ceremony will be held on May 29, 2010, during the CBA's National Conference and will be hosted by CBC Radio's Shelah Rogers.

The Canadian Booksellers Association is a national trade association representing trade and campus booksellers in all provinces and territories. Members includes Canadian bookstores of all sizes, including independents, chains, specialty stores, campus bookstores as well as more than 200 publishers and distributers. Some 1,000 bookstores are represented by CBA (www.cbabook.org).

For a complete list of the nominees, CLICK HERE.

Bradley McGogg YouTube Video

Tim Beiser performs at TINARS for Tots

National Post article

Metatexts for kids

Posted: December 12, 2009

Book Reviews, Children's Books, Governor-General's Literary Awards

By Beverley Brenna

The digital age has prompted developments in children’s literature consistent with the changing forms and formats, changing perspectives and changing boundaries that readers of all ages are experiencing. Described in terms of Radical Change theory by Dr. Eliza Dresang, a professor at the University of Washington, some of these changes within books are evident in the five picture books shortlisted for the 2009 Governor General’s Award for children’s literature (illustration). ...

Tim Beiser’s Bradley McGogg the Very Fine Frog (Tundra, 24 pp.; $19.99), illustrated by Rachel Berman, performs in rhyming couplets the story of Bradley’s quest for a suitable meal. Berman’s watercolour gouache on rag paper extends outside its frames, a decision implying the story’s awareness of itself in an illustrative attempt at “metafiction.” Very traditional, however, is the perspective that different creatures eat different things, inspiring Bradley to criticize the choices of others as “strange.” Listed for ages two to five, the complexity of the language and the hints at mystery in the dark patches of background illustration may be more suitable for ages five and up. ...

Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/afterword/archive/2009/12/12/metatexts-for-kids.aspx#ixzz0be72HwMa
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Eclectica Book Review

Picture Book Reading for Vacation Days

Review by Colleen Mondor

Eclectica Magazine

July/Aug 2009

Bradley McGogg: The Very Fine Frog is one of those sweet old fashioned stories that features funny animals in odd situations echoing all the good things of Wind in the Willows and Peter Rabbit and every other similar past tale. Author Tim Beiser has written a rhyming text that explains the trials and tribulations of hungry Bradley who goes visiting his friends in search of a decent meal. Illustrator Rachel Berman uses rich color in her realistic paintings of animals at work and play who are dressed in fine clothing (the rabbit wears sneakers, even) and draw the reader into their creative environments. (Bradley sits on a stack of cookbooks. Herr Bear and Herr Hare are shown enjoying a meal of honey and carrots over a complete tea set and later there is a candelabra illuminating a meal of "maggots, mosquitoes, grasshoppers and snails" for our favorite frogs.) The message here is that everyone eats something different and what is good for one will likely be unappetizing for another. Poor Bradley would like to be a mooch but just can't bring himself to eat what everyone else is serving. The story has a happy ending that the rolling text will have lulled readers into expecting. Bradley is a kick in the pants; here's hoping this is not his only adventure.

National Post article

You know, for kids books: a Q&A with the nominees for the Governor General's Literary Award in Children's Literature, Illustration

Posted: November 17, 2009

Children's Books, Governor-General's Literary Awards, Art

The nominees for the Governor General’s Literary Award in Children’s Literature, Illustration, introduce young readers to an eclectic cast of characters, including a hungry frog and a big fat momma, and send them to far-off locales including an island in Nunavut and, er, Newfoundland. Mark Medley spoke with the five artists about their work. ...

Rachel Berman, Bradley McGogg, The Very Fine Frog (text by Tim Beiser)

Q What kind of experience did you have illustrating frogs before this book?

A None.

Q None at all?

A No. And, actually, I used myself as a model. I’m sort of skinny and funny looking, and I didn’t have a frog, so I was leaping all over my studio trying to emulate [a] frog. I could sort of see him as a person, so I decided to use me.

Q He reminded me of Mr. Toad from The Wind in the Willows, but I like your explanation better.

A Oh, well, I’m not going to deny that I was influenced by The Wind in the Willows. I looked at every version of The Wind in the Willows, and also I wanted to do — being serious now — they said it was just going to be a paperback, like most children’s books are. And I thought OK, even if it’s paperback, I’m going to give children credit for some sort of sensibility. I wanted it to be like the books I remember as a child. I wanted to have it as art. I mean that’s what I do: I make art. And I didn’t see any reason why children shouldn’t be given the benefit of the doubt and think that they could appreciate really good art. ...

Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/afterword/archive/2009/11/17/gg.aspx#ixzz0be9e6qOJ
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"Bradley" is a Toy Testing Council Top Pick!

Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog was named by the Canadian Toy Testing Council as one of the top 10 books of the year. According to the Council, "Children enjoy the clever rhymes and the engaging full-colour illustrations in this lively book."

For more information, go to this link:

http://www.toy-testing.org/greatbooks2010.html

Blue Spruce Award Nomination

Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog has been nominated for the Ontario Librarary Association's 2010 Forest of Reading, Blue Spruce Award.

From the Ontario Library Association web site:

The Blue Spruce Award is a provincial primary reading program which brings recently published Canadian children's picture books to Ontario children ages 4 to 7 in kindergarten through to grade two. For many children, this is their first introduction to the world of books; it is a very exciting time for everyone.

The students will peruse ten nominated Canadian picture books and then vote for their favourite book. Based on student voting across the province, the best picture book is then selected and the author/illustrator is honoured with the Blue Spruce Award.

GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARD NOMINATION

From the Ingram Gallery web site:

Congratulations to Rachel Berman on her recent Governor General's Award nomination. Rachel has been nominated in the category of Illustration for children's literature for the her incredible watercolours illustrating the Tundra title: Bradley McGogg the Very Fine Frog. Written by Toronto based writer Tim Beiser, Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog was launched at Ingram Gallery in March of this year to huge success. The winner will be announced at 10am on November 17th in Montreal.

NEWS RELEASE
http://www.canadacouncil.ca/news/releases/2009/wi128999467161854957.htm

Globe and Mail Book Review

New in children's books

Globe and Mail
March 20, 2009


BRADLEY McGOGG, THE VERY FINE FROG

By Tim Beiser, illustrated by Rachel Berman, Tundra, 24 pages, $19.99, ages 2 to 5

A very fine frog indeed, is Bradley McGogg. Dressed in a pink striped Churchillian boiler suit with a pink-and-white polka-dot tie — a colour combination that nicely sets off the reptilian green of his complexion — Brad extols the virtues of the bog in which he makes his home: "'Oh, beautiful bog,' croaked McGogg./ 'What an Eden!/ You're filled to the gills with/ good frog things to feed on!'" One day, though, viewing himself in the mirror, McGogg declares that he's "needing a feeding. I'm wasting away!" With that, he's off, carried on waves of rhyme to visit Miss Mouse in her nest, Herr Bear and Herr Hare in their shared lair, and a lovely black and white cow in her field.

None of their offerings — cheese ("Cheddar with chives and a/ peppercorn dusting!/ He'd never seen anything/ quite so disgusting"), carrots glazed with honey or the cow's staples of grass and clover — tickle Brad's taste buds.

He returns home to a bog filled with "good frog things to feed on": "stinkbugs and sweet buzzy bees,/ flies, squirmy worms, crunchy roaches and fleas." Our frog McGogg declares, "Holy smokes! Other folks/ eat some pretty strange things."

This delightful excursion is made even more so because Rachel Berman's illustrations, interpretations of the miniature worlds of mouse nests and bear and hare picnics, are nothing short of entrancing.

Reviewed by
SUSAN PERREN

At Toronto's Gladstone Hotel

“READ ME A GAME”
Sat March 21; 10AM (Doors 9:30AM)

Julie Morstad- ABC
Tim Beiser – Bradley McGogg The Very Fine Frog
David Bruins & Hilary Leung – The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear

Hosted by Emily Holton

Ever wish you could read a book and play a game at the same time? Acclaimed artist and author Emily Holton hosts a celebration of three titles that turn reading into a fun game. What better way to learn your ABCs than with a set of stunning flash cards created by celebrated Vancouver artist Julie Morstad? Finding out what animals like to eat becomes a sport in Bradley McGogg The Very Fine Frog, written by Tim Beiser and illustrated by Rachel Berman. And do you like “rock, paper, scissors’? If so, you’re going to adore The Legend Of Ninja, Cowboy, Bear, a delightful variation on the classic game by and Hilary Leung.

– A This is Not a Reading Series For Tots event presented by Pages Books & Magazines, Bunch, Gladstone Hotel and The Little Paper.

Gladstone Hotel Ballroom
1214 Queen St West, Toronto
Sat March 21; 10AM (Doors 9:30AM)
Adults $5 / Tots ride free


MEDIA CONTACTS
Tim Beiser: Pamela Osti, posti@mcclelland.com, (416) 598-0247
Emily Holton, David Bruins & Hilary Leung, TINARS For Tots: Chris Reed, tinars@pagesbooks.ca, (416) 598-1447 ext 221
Julie Morstad: Jennifer Lynch, Jennifer@pgcbooks.ca, (416) 934-9900 ext 202

Reading List

ABC

Bradley McGogg The Very Fine Frog

The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear

Book Review

Canadian Children's Book News
Winter 2009 issue

Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog
written by Tim Beiser
illustrated by Rachel Berman
Tundra Books, 2009
for preschool to Grade 2

Bradley McGogg is a fun book by Tim Beiser, a first time children's author better known as a magazine journalist. Written at the request of his Grade 1 neice, his story is sure to appeal to six-year-olds who will appreciate the humour and the rhyme. Rhyming stories are notoriously difficult to write, but here the scansion works and the rhyme (both internal and end rhymes) makes the story a delight to read out loud: "This log in a bog, where our frog spent his days/was a pad Brad had had since his pollywog phase." Discovering that his larder is bare, Bradley sets out to ask his neighbours to share what they eat. Though he is offered tasty treats by a mouse, a bear and a hare, he finds them all revolting. And he doesn't even linger to talk to the cow. Sadly he slogs back to his bog, only to discover a wonderful pest infestation! Digging into his wonderfully buggy meal, he muses that "other folks eat some pretty strange things." Children will giggle at the food choices and enjoy the gross-out factor. And teachers could have fun using it in nutrition units and for appreciating differences!

Rachel Berman has worked as a professional artist for over 30 years. A self-educated painter, she enjoys bringing out the character and humour of animals, as she did in Pigmalion (Orca Book Publishers, 2001). Berman's watercolour and gouache illustrations owe a debt to Arnold Lobel's wonderfully lumpy Frog and Toad and to his brown and green pallette. But Berman pops her frog into red-striped overalls that make him the focal point of every illustration. She continues her allusion to earlier children's books with Miss Mouse (à la Beatrix Potter) and a white rabbit in a jacket and waistcoat presiding at a tea party. Her vignettes, with their rounded corners, contribute to the charming old-fashioned quality of the book.

review by Brenda Halliday

Ten Questions with Tim Beiser

The web site Open Book: Toronto is featuring an interview with author Tim Beiser about his upcoming book, Bradley McGogg the Very Fine Frog.

Open Book: Toronto celebrates the new and wonderful books, authors and events coming out with Ontario's independent, Canadian-owned publishers. Open Book is committed to showcasing the outstanding range and quality of contemporary Canadian writing and invites Torontonians to connect with their very own vibrant and cutting-edge publishing scene.

To read Open Book's interview with Tim Beiser, CLICK HERE.