Life According to Og the Frog

According to Og the Frog #1

by Betty G. Birney

The adventure continues in Room 26 with Humphrey's frog-tastic best friend, Og the Frog!

Og the Frog has just moved into Room 26, and the place is hopping. There are lively kids, new routines, and a furry neighbor who seems to squeak all day. Luckily, everyone seems friendly and--BING, BANG, BOING!--some even put juicy crickets in his tank. But just as Og is getting used to this new life, there is talk of sending him back to the pond. Sure, he misses his friends, but now he has a lot more time for his favorite hobby--making up songs and poems--and he loves listening to his new friends and giving them encouraging BOINGS just when they need them. And there's that steady supply of crickets . . .
Og doesn't want to say goodbye to his new life or his furry neighbor. But will his classmates decide to keep Og as their classroom pet or take him back to his old life, at the pond?

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Fiction, School, Chapter Books, Audiobook, Middle Grade

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 3, 2018

About the author

From kindergarten through graduation, I attended school in Affton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Then I graduated from Webster College (now Webster University) in Webster Groves, Missouri. Of course, I majored in English and kept on writing.

After working in advertising in St. Louis, Missouri and in Chicago, Illinois, I eventually moved to Southern California. First, I worked for Disneyland (fun job!) in the advertising department. The monorail whizzed past my window all day long. Then I worked at the Disney Studio in Burbank, where I had another fun job, writing and producing television and radio commercials and theatrical trailers (previews of coming attractions) for everything from re-releases of "Cinderella" and "Fantasia" to "Tex."

When the Disney Channel was started, I became a writer and story editor for WELCOME TO POOH CORNER. Since then, I've written more than 200 episodes of animated and live-action television programs including MADELINE, DOUG, BOBBY'S WORLD, DUMBO'S CIRCUS, THE PUZZLE PLACE, CAMP CANDY, LITTLE MOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, WHERE'S WALDO, FRAGGLE ROCK and ZOOBILEE ZOO. That's right, I write cartoons! I also wrote a number of award-winning afterschool specials and many interactive CD-ROM programs, including the award-winning "Berenstain Bears on their Own," "Richard Scarry's Busiest Neighborhood Ever," and "The Crayon Factory."

A made-for-television family movie I wrote, MARY CHRISTMAS, starring John Schneider, Cynthia Gibb and Tom Bosley, aired on the PAX network in 2002. It was the highest rated movie in PAX history and has aired each Christmas season since then.

I have been fortunate enough to win a Writer's Guild of America Award and three Humanitas Prizes (as well as two other nominations). In 2002, I won a Daytime Emmy Award for MADELINE, after two previous Emmy nominations. More recently, I received the Christopher Award for FRIENDSHIP ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY, many children's choice awards for THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY and was inducted into the Affton (MO) School District Hall of Fame.

Reviews

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betty G. Birney is brilliant and a magnificent story teller. I enjoy her writing just as much as my child does. She's a master at weaving stories together and making them matter. I cannot recommend her books enough.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020 bk 209. A children's book, but part of a series that hooks you into wanting to know more about life in Classroom 26. There are 12 books in the Humphrey series (Humphrey being the first pet in Room 26) and now Humphrey has a new companion - Og the Frog. Og was being bullied in his first classroom so a move to room 26 with gentle Humphrey was just the thing. Unfortunately the two do not understand each other and Og is not as well educated as Humphrey. But Og can learn and can communicate with the reader and on some level with the students of room 26. There is great disturbance when the class learns that Og was kidnapped and even more when a herpatologist visits the classroom and says that returning Og might endanger the other creatures in his swamp. When she offers a third choice the class and Og have to decide what choices to make. An enchanting book about making hard choices told in Birney's gentle manner. - and it took me so long to read because I am writing quiz questions for it.

[Pumkin pie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very fun and funny. Can't wait for the next book!

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Og is the other classroom pet in Room 26 of Longfellow School, next door to Humphrey. Og isn't as interesting a narrator as Humphrey is, simply because a frog can do less than a hamster. But I appreciate all the frog information woven into the story in a natural way, and the discussion about whether or not to introduce Og back into the wild (where he was captured from) is particularly thought-provoking and significant.

It seems like an odd choice that the two classroom pets, though different species, can't understand and communicate with one another. After all, if Humphrey can understand and even write English, it's less of a stretch if Humphrey can understand frog and Og can understand hamster. Still, this short novel is a solid choice for lower middle grade readers, especially animal lovers.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is on the 3-6 PYRCA this year, and it’s such a sweet story about a new classroom pet in Mrs. Brisbane’s room in addition to their hamster, Humphrey. It’s so nice to see how much the students care about their class pets, and how Og learns that being a classroom pet is an important job thanks to Humphrey. It doesn’t matter that they can’t understand each other because they still learn to become friends. This book has so many amazing examples of kindness and would a great read for any student (along with all of the Humphrey books too, or course!)

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life According to Og the Frog by Betty G. Birney, 150 pgs. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin Random House), 2018. $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL -- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In this companion novel to the Life According to Humphrey series, Og the Frog joins Mrs. Brisbane, Humphrey the Hamster, and the "tads" from room 26, becoming their new classroom pet. Just as Og begins to adjust to life away from his beloved pond, and even feels like he could someday fit in, Mrs. Brisbane poses an unexpected question: Is it morally right for her and her students keep Og, or should they send him back home to his pond?

Life According to Og the Frog is a quiet read that will likely appeal to fans of the Life According to Humphrey series. Og is a creative idea for a character, and it is interesting to see classroom life from his viewpoint. Mrs. Brisbane and her students are neither unrealistically perfect nor mean; this makes them all feel more human. A quicker plot with larger turning points and less rumination would have turned Og's story into more of a page-turner, but it's a sweet read nonetheless.

Reviewer: Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Float. Doze. Be.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Jo-ann Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

@kidlitexchange #partner
Thank you to @kidlitexchange for the review copy of Life According to Og the Frog. All opinions are my own. Fans of the Humphrey series from Betty G. Birney will love this story written from Og the frog’s point of view! I have read several of the Humphrey books, and they are a big hit with my fourth graders!
Og the Frog has come to stay in Room 26, after things weren’t going so well in Room 27 with George the bullfrog. Now, Og has joined Humphrey, the cute, little, furry hamster, as a class pet. Og and Humphrey try to communicate, but Og can’t understand Humphrey’s SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAKs, while Humphrey seems intimidated by Og’s BOING-BOINGs.
Og seems to enjoy being part of Room 26. He gets regular meals, the kids love him, and there are times when he can Float. Doze. Be. Things get a little concerning when some of the children are worried about how Og came to arrive at Longfellow School. Some of the children are not happy that he was taken from his natural habitat at the marsh and wonder if he should be returned to his original home. While Og misses his friends and family at the swamp, he comes to love the “big tads” in Room 26, and even likes Humphrey. Mrs. Brisbane, the teacher, does research with the class, brings in an expert, and even has a class debate to determine the best outcome for Og the frog. WIll Og get to remain in Room 26 to continue helping his students and keep his job as a class pet? Read this adorable book to find out!
I love how each chapter begins with a memory or daydream from Og’s life in the swamp. Since I was familiar with Humphrey, and the children in Room 26, it was really neat to read things from Og’s perspective! I remember when he was brought in as a class pet, and Humphrey didn’t know what to make of Og’s “BOINGs.” As a teacher, I love the positive messages from Betty G. Birney’s books- how children can learn a lot from taking care of another species, how they learn about friendship, and how they can solve problems in meaningful ways. I also love that we can “see” things from the perspective of another species. This is another winner from Betty G. Birney! I can’t wait to add Life According to Og the Frog to my classroom library!

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please read review in its entirety at http://www.compassbookratings.com/rev...

Og maybe a frog, but that doesn't mean he isn't "hoppy" to help out when support is needed.

A spin-off of veteran author Betty Birney's, The World According to Humphrey series, Life According to Og the Frog is a companion that readers can jump right into.

First person narrative introduces readers to Og and his new home in room 26. Living in a tank at an elementary school is a lot different than his old life in the marsh. Who knew that being a classroom pet consists of more than cooling off in a water bowl and drying off on his rock? Is Og up for the challenge?

Short chapters containing Og's musings along with songs and poems allow readers to learn about important subjects such as adapting to a new environment, being a friend, and becoming conscientious of wildlife.

A wonderful book for young readers who are starting to gain footing in chapter books, or for teachers and parents who are interested in read-alongs, Life According to Og the Frog is a perfectly delightful pick.

If you like Og then you'll be sure to enjoy his friend Humphrey too, in Humphrey's Mixed-Up Magic Trick.

Review of an Advance Reading Copy

[Tracy (The Pages In-Between) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Penguin Young Readers for sending us a free copy of this book, in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are our own.

Liam and Gavin rate this book Two Thumbs WAY up!

Mommy rates it a 4 out of 5 stars.

This was our first jump into this world, I've heard the "Humphreys" Series was very cute, So I was excited to be invited to read this one with my little guys.

I liked that this book taught kids about frogs, and their environments, what kind of food they eat, what happens when they are moved from their homes. And it taught them these facts in a very endearing way. fun and educational. I liked that my boys were learning, without being aware of it.

There was an introduction to another animal my boys love, and that's hamsters. They love the furry little fluff balls, so to have them mentioned in this book was really exciting for them. I feel like this book would teach a good lesson in compassion, and teaches kids respect animals. We really enjoyed this book, and glad we got to experience it together. Now when my boys catch frogs, they know how important it is to leave them in their natural environments once they are done holding them.

Add It On Goodreads Here

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Og the Frog comes to Room 26 because of an unruly neighbor, he is skeptical of his new "home". Og misses his friends back at the swamp but, he also remembers the many dangers of the swamp. He isn't used to noise and his new environment. However, he likes that he has a lot of time and ideas for his favorite pastimes. Og realizes that he has an impact on his fellow classmates. But, when he realizes that they are thinking of sending him back to the pond, he can't help to feel betrayed. Will Og be sent back to his pond?


The book was a fun and endearing read. Og gave young readers an idea what it is like being a frog, especially, in new situations and environments. I like that it included facts about hamsters, frogs, and information about nature. It teaches readers about compassion, sympathy, and the value of friendship. I think it is the perfect book for any frog lover!


**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's animal fiction, first in a series; spinoff of Humphrey series by same author. This book was fun because we already met the characters in the Humphrey books. But instead of our friendly hamster narrator, we have Og the frog, recently displaced from the marsh only to be moved into Ms. Loomis' class and then to room 26. Og is not quite sure where he is or what's going on. He daydreams of life in the swamp, but when it comes time for the students to decide if he should stay a class pet or be relocated to a wildlife center closer to his natural habitat, Og has mixed feelings. I liked seeing how Og was also able to help the students and see the debate of where he should live. There are only 3 Og books and 12 Humphrey ones, so we will soon be done with this series for real. Haven't decided weather or not to search out Humphrey's Tiny Tales, which are shorter early chapter books.

[Charisa Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kid thought this book was good (I’m not sure if there’s any book we’ve read that he thought was bad). He liked that Og made friends with Humphrey. He would change that at first If didn’t like Humphrey. Themes he identified swamp life, friendship. This book was based on Friendship according to Humphrey because of the Richie’s party and Humphrey poem. Two things that were different in this book Mrs Brisbane didn’t say she couldn’t read the name of who wrote the poem and in the beginning of each chapter had something about swamp life instead of the things at the end.

I enjoyed this too. I do wonder why Og and Humphrey easily learned how to understand humans but can’t learn to understand each other. I liked that this book was more focused on Og and less focused on the students.

[C.G.Koens · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read and enjoyed the Humphrey books, then this is a necessary addition to your library! Reading this one aloud to the kids made us recall the same stories with Humphrey, and we thought how fun it would be to read both books at the same time, so you get two perspectives.

Such a cute story, with all the same characters, except different enough to keep it interesting. I loved the way that Birney incorporated music into the Og book, and gave the reader a slightly different point of view on Humphrey.

Two webbed thumbs way up. And now the kids want a pet frog. Well, it worked for a hamster! :)

[Emesskay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became a fan of the Humphrey series by Betty Birney though reading them with my kids. My kids are older now, but when I saw there was a book from Og the Frog's point of view, I had to read it. It was really interesting to get Og's perspective on the activities in Room 26.

I enjoyed this book, but if you haven't read the Humphrey series, I would recommend reading them first, at least up to the book where Og joins room 26 as that will do a better job of introducing the kids and the teacher in Room 26.

Overall it is a lovely, sweet and gentle book about adapting to new situations and learning to make friends.

[Stephanie Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those who are a fan of the Humphrey series will love this new series from the point of view of Og the Frog. If you have read through the Humphrey books, you may notice that the storyline very closely follows those books— you will recognize events and situations that were described by Humphrey. While this makes sense (they live in the same classroom), I was hoping for a little more original material. This, however did not bother my 6-year-old who is enamored with all things Humphrey! Overall, I think fans of Humphrey will be pleased by this new spin-off series.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5* rounded up. I found the story and many of its elements to be too repetitive, although it’s a cute story/concept. I liked the struggles some of the “big tads” (students) encounter throughout the book and the ways they choose to cope — these would be great examples for the young readers of this book. However, the overall conflict and outcome of the book seemed predictable to me, and I didn’t feel that the story overall was very complex. If I wasn’t reading this along with a school, I’m not sure it would have held my attention long enough for me to finish it.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure why Goodreads doesn’t have the book as an option to rate - only the audiobook, which I did not listen to. I have no idea if this audiobook is good but the actual book is super cute. To be fair, Og is not as endearing as Humphrey but he’s still pretty great. Listening to him figure out human and hamster behaviour was so fun. His description of Humphrey as hyperactive and noisy was particularly funny as you realize that hamsters really are just that but we know what to expect and this was surprising behaviour for what Og describes as a weirdly colored mouse.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was chosen by our school system as a collective reading experience. My kids seemed to like it, and thought parts were funny, but it was not my favorite. I did think it had some good information about frogs, but it implied that hamsters don't hibernate(which is true for indoor pets, but not for hamsters in the wild). It also felt like it was more about Humphrey(the hamster) than about Og. It felt weird hearing all the "great things" Humphrey did, while Og mostly sat there and did nothing. But I also never read the Humphrey books, so I couldn't care less about the hamster.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so a happy to see this book! Five years ago one of my students wanted to badly to learn more about Og. She wrote several letters and kept track of the changes in his character throughout the Humphrey series. And now, here is his own (I hope) first book. I am interested to explore the companion Humphrey book (I suspect Friendship According to Humphrey) to see if I can read them aloud back-to-back at the beginning of the school year.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Room 26 has a new pet besides Humphrey this year, Og the frog has moved into Mrs. Brisbane's classroom too. Because he was caught in the wild, the students are not sure if it was ethical to remove him from his natural habitat, his future in the classroom is not secure. Betty Birney gives just enough information about frogs to inspire readers interested in amphibians to research more. A new spinoff of the Humphrey series, fans will enjoy.

[Sara Hudson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit slow to get started, but rallies about halfway through. This entry in the Humphrey universe lacks the warmth and nuance we get from The World According to Humphrey and his adventures in the homes of the students and teacher from Room 26. But, the conversation about how to be a good class pet, the cooperation between Og and Humphrey, and the debate about whether Og should stay in the classroom or go to the nature center move the second half along.

[Marie Angus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this fun children's series. It's about a classroom pet and is very creatively written.

I appreciate the way the author gives peaks into people's lives and things they're going through that sometimes cause then to behave in ways they wouldn't otherwise. I think it helps teach sympathy and trying to see things from others' points of view.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Og, the frog moves into room 26 with Humphrey and he is a great addition to the classroom. I really liked how there is information about frogs and how to treat wild animals woven into the story. This is a nice addition to the Humphrey series.

[Denise Chojnacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life According to Og the Frog was a lighthearted read with some good messages that ran through the story on a regular basis. Everything from self-control, to friendship and more without being heavy-handed. A fun story with a likable, humorous frog that has good messages? I'll take it.

[Kathy Broadnax · Rating 4 out of 5]

A class pet who learns that he is helping the young tads (students) in the classroom. The young tads also has to make a big decision; whether to return Og to the marshes or have him continue to be a part of the class.

Cute story

Thank you

[Sarah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale was another perspective of room 26 and Og’s take on friendship and understanding of the world. Betty Birney did another amazing job weaving a tale about how a small, class pet can make a big difference in learning.

[Melinda Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Og the frog has been taken from his home in the swamp and has now become a class pet along with Humphrey the hamster. The students of room 26 are starting to question what would be the right home for Og, back at the swamp or staying in school. Fun story told from the viewpoint of the class pets.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humprey the Hamster gets a new co class pet who takes over the storytelling in this new spin off series where Og the Frog moves to classroom 26. While there he helps the children, makes new friends and starts a debate about where he should really live. Early elementary.