EXPLORING ACCORDING TO OG THE FROG

A gentle read that delivers a frog’s-eye view of the world.

Og the frog and the students of Longfellow School are back again for another interspecies romp. Og monitors the goings-on of Room 26 with amphibious aplomb as he observes the interpersonal struggles and social challenges faced by the students. Fans of Birney’s According to Humphrey series will recognize several plot points from Trouble According to Humphrey (2007), this time written from Og’s perspective. Og takes a cue from his fellow class pet, hamster Humphrey, and tries to make a positive impact on the students he comes to know. Inspired to explore by tales of human and frog adventurers, Og manages to make forays outside of his tank in between helping children. Og even spends several weekends at the home of principal Mr. Morales and his family, who sprinkle some Spanish words into their dialogue. No other clues around culture or ethnicity are given for the Morales family—or other characters in the story—so readers are left to guess at the significance of this addition. Og encounters several students who show characteristics of neurodiversity, and he accepts and encourages them when their teachers do not. Punctuated by Og’s froggy songs and poems as well as homespun wisdom from his very own Granny Greenleaf, the story hops along at a familiar pace.

Readers craving more about Room 26 will enjoy the green frog with a heart of gold.