Og provides a frog’s eye view of mascot’s life
Meet Og, a green frog who’s just moved into Room 26. There are a lot of things that are new to Og there (and his new neighbor, a “hamster” named Humphrey, won’t stop squeaking).
In spite of this new environment, he finds ways to make himself at home.
“Life According to Og the Frog” by Betty G. Birney tells the story of a regular classroom from an unusual point of view.
Birney has written several books about Humphrey’s life in Room 26, and this is the first one she’s written that’s told by Og.
The students (whom he calls “big tads”) and teacher, Mrs. Brisbane, are all nice.
The classroom is quieter (and has fewer predators) than McKenzie’s Marsh, the swamp where Og was born, so he gets plenty of time for his favorite pastimes: to sing and simply Float. Doze. Be.
Even Humphrey is nice — although he and Og can’t understand each other — and he’s definitely better than George, the mean bullfrog from the classroom Og was in before.
He even starts to think that he and the hamster are friends.
Even though Og misses his old friends at the swamp (despite all the predators and bullfrogs), he loves Room 26 and is “hoppy” to stay there.
Just when he thought life couldn’t get any better, the big tads start arguing about whether Og should be sent to a wildlife center! Og would love to return to his swamp, but a wildlife center?
Even Humphrey doesn’t seem to like that idea. Og would much rather stay where he is in Room 26.
Og has already had to leave his old friends at McKenzie’s Marsh, but will he have to say goodbye to all his new friends too? Og would love to return to his swamp, but a wildlife center? Even Humphrey doesn’t seem to like that idea.
With several subplots such as preserving frog habitats and learning to stay positive when life seems to be at its worst, “Life According to Og the Frog” is definitely a terrific book.
It’s an easy read with only 150 pages, but I would still recommend it for anyone ages 8 and up.