The Adventures of Grandfather Frog

The Bedtime Story Books

by Thornton W. Burgess

Determined to see the Great World beyond the familiar vistas of the Smiling Pool, Grandfather Frog leaps forth only to tumble haplessly into the pitfalls of greed, boastfulness, and carelessness. This time-honored classic mixes exciting adventure and good-natured humor with gentle homily. 6 illustrations adapted from originals by Harrison Cady.

Genres: Animals, Classics, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Nature, Fantasy

47 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1943

About the author

Thornton W. (Waldo) Burgess (1874-1965), American author, naturalist and conservationist, wrote popular children's stories including the Old Mother West Wind (1910) series. He would go on to write more than 100 books and thousands of short-stories during his lifetime.

Thornton Burgess loved the beauty of nature and its living creatures so much that he wrote about them for 50 years in books and his newspaper column, "Bedtime Stories". He was sometimes known as the Bedtime Story-Man. By the time he retired, he had written more than 170 books and 15,000 stories for the daily newspaper column.

Born in Sandwich, Massachusetts, Burgess was the son of Caroline F. Haywood and Thornton W. Burgess Sr., a direct descendant of Thomas Burgess, one of the first Sandwich settlers in 1637. Thornton W. Burgess, Sr., died the same year his son was born, and the young Thornton Burgess was brought up by his mother in Sandwich. They both lived in humble circumstances with relatives or paying rent. As a youth, he worked year round in order to earn money. Some of his jobs included tending cows, picking trailing arbutus or berries, shipping water lilies from local ponds, selling candy and trapping muskrats. William C. Chipman, one of his employers, lived on Discovery Hill Road, a wildlife habitat of woodland and wetland. This habitat became the setting of many stories in which Burgess refers to Smiling Pool and the Old Briar Patch.

Graduating from Sandwich High School in 1891, Burgess briefly attended a business college in Boston from 1892 to 1893, living in Somerville, Massachusetts, at that time. But he disliked studying business and wanted to write. He moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he took a job as an editorial assistant at the Phelps Publishing Company. His first stories were written under the pen name W. B. Thornton.

Burgess married Nina Osborne in 1905, but she died only a year later, leaving him to raise their son alone. It is said that he began writing bedtime stories to entertain his young son, Thornton III. Burgess remarried in 1911; his wife Fannie had two children by a previous marriage. The couple later bought a home in Hampden, Massachusetts, in 1925 that became Burgess' permanent residence in 1957. His second wife died in August 1950. Burgess returned frequently to Sandwich, which he always claimed as his birthplace and spiritual home.

In 1960, Burgess published his last book, "Now I Remember, Autobiography of an Amateur Naturalist," depicting memories of his early life in Sandwich, as well as his career highlights. That same year, Burgess, at the age of 86, had published his 15,000th story. He died on June 5, 1965, at the age of 91 in Hampden, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved these books as a boy, and still do. The Adventures of Grandfather Frog is the eighth of The Bedtime Story books written by Thornton Burgess and lovingly illustrated by Harrison Cady. The stories were read to my brother and I by my father when we were kids just before bedtime, so in all fairness they carry a great sense of nostalgia.

Here, in this book, Grandfather Frog feels challenged by the fact that his entire life has been spent in the Smiling Pond. As he hears the stories as told by the denizens of the Green Meadow, he feels the weight of his years spent in only one place. Boasting to his neighbors that he can still enjoy adventures outside his comfort zone, he leaves the Green Meadow only to experience the challenges of unfamiliar places, uncommon obstacles, and unfriendly potential predators.

These stories are really innocent tales of a community of animals in the Green Meadow akin to the Road Runner vs. Wile E. Coyote cartoons. As a consequence, my boys did not enjoy these books as much as I did. The world of these books, although to my mind still relevant, may seem indistinguishable to jaded youth. However, I consider these books classic (which means they meet my three criteria of paradigm defining, exceptionalism, and longevity).

[Jannia González · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nobody likes personal remarks when they are unpleasant, especially if they happen to be true."

There are good lessons in this book.

[E.L.]

Kids ages when first read: 7 and 5. This was supposed to be the 5yo's school read-aloud, but in the best tradition of homeschooling, the 7yo kept sneaking away from her tasks to listen as well. The last time I tried reading Burgess to them, they were both bored stiff, so I was delighted that this time they both adored it. When I pulled out four more books in the "series," they snatched them out of my hands and settled down happily to peruse them. Definitely going to continue with these for school reading.

[Noella · Rating 3 out of 5]

In dit boekje leren we weer andere dierenpersonages kennen, zoals de kikker, de pad, de reiger en de muskusrat. Maar ook Danny Meadowmouse en Farmer Brown's Boy zijn weer van de partij. Heel leuke reeks.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book of short stores, great for kids bedtime reading, about Grandfather Frog and his adventures in Smiley Pond, his home, and what happens when his cousin the Toad convinces him life is better in the great big world. The misadventures of what happens to Grandfather Frog is quite entertaining….and what happens when he’s out of water! A lot included about nature, feelings, habitat. Anyone liking or wondering about frogs should enjoy this read!

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

obligatory photo in place of the placeholder thumbnail, since this edition is at the moment yet to be merged with the other editions:



This is a typical "talking animals have shenanigans" story, focusing on Grandfather Frog. (Note: Despite the headline on the cover, Peter Rabbit is mentioned but doesn't actually appear.) At first, "adventures" sounds like an overstatement—since all he does at first is pretend to be asleep, then bite off more than he can chew (so to speak, since frogs don't actually bite)—but about midway through the book, Grandfather Frog embarks on actual adventures when trying to show up Mr. Toad, who actually HAS adventured. Being such a homebody as to be completely ignorant of the World Outside the pond he has known all his life, Grandfather Frog of course IMMEDIATELY gets into trouble.

Okay, maybe not IMMEDIATELY, but certainly IMMEDIATELY sets himself up for failure by 1. not once considering his needs when he goes (such as... WATER) and 2. leaving himself completely open to danger by abandoning his main refuge and being generally unable to take advantage of the shelters in the World Outside. Even when he gets out of a scrape, he manages to go running (or... hopping) straight back into another one out of sheer stubbornness.

I know it's supposed to be a bit of a moral, but it's really painful to read. Sad to say I know more than a few people like this. :(

Recommended for fans of stories like The Wind in the Willows, although this has fewer motorcars and more animals as they actually are in nature (though I don't know how the meat-eating ones can put up with meals that can and probably do talk back).

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars & 3/10 hearts. A lighthearted read, good and funny. It was rather enjoyable to see Grandfather Frog as other than the Oracle of the Smiling Pool. ;) There are a few mentions of Old Mother Nature.

A Favourite Quote: “The truth is, Grandfather Frog was more afraid of being laughed at than he was of the dangers around him, which shows just how foolish wise people can be sometimes.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Grandfather Frog almost choked again, he was so angry. You see old Mr. Toad's remarks were very personal, and nobody likes personal remarks when they are unpleasant, especially if they happen to be true.” 

[Jimyanni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Thornton Burgess series in general is quite an endearing series of children's books, which do a fine job of being readable by young readers and having interesting plots and introducing young people to a variety of animals in a semi-anthropomorphized way. This particular entry, "The Adventures of Grandfather Frog" is about par for the series, and it's a delightful read for a youngster, or for an older person who is willing to be a child again for the hour or so that it would take to read it.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this is delightful! The chapters are short (perfect for bedtime!), the moral conclusions are clear and just, the vocabulary is sophisticated without being overwhelming to young readers, and the story is clever and enjoyable for all ages. We will definitely be seeking out more of Thornton Burgess!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of our HOD curriculum I’m reading with my 6 yo. Probably my personal favorite of the Burgess stories we’ve read yet! A cute book with some relevant lessons that were even good reminders for the adults in the room :)

[J. Fosbenner · Rating 3 out of 5]

favorite quote:
________
"Dear me! Dear me! What a terrible thing and how useless anger is," said Grandfather Frog, as he climbed back on his big green lily-pad in the warm sunshine."
- Thornton W. Burgess, The Adventures of Grandfather Frog (1915) - ch. 6

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was an observant amateur naturalist which adds an underlying interest to his 1930s adventure books for children. I can imagine country school teachers adding science and art lessons after each chapter.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids and I really enjoyed this read aloud, and we are looking forward to reading more books in this series.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stubborn codger of a bullfrog encounters great embarrassments and receives undeserved mercies.

[Jon E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked when Bowser the Hound or Black Pussy played with Grandfather Frog. Bowser the Hound went first, and then went Black Pussy. You'll find out what happens.

[Lindsey Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book to the girls. Lots of little wisdom gems.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like these books as a read around to the kids and the kids enjoy them too

[Rachel Wells]

Read aloud with Lucy. 🐸

[Danni Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a read-aloud for school.

My kids enjoyed his exclamations of "Chugarum!"

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A walk down memory lane. The Merry Little Breezes, Little Joe Otter, Billy Mink, Jerry Muskrat, Farmer Brown’s boy. "Chugarum!”

[Brad Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published not in the 40s but in the teens. The edition I read was a 1924 reprint. Still always a fun read and the old books are in amazing shape.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I've outgrown animal stories.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as a kid

[Charissa Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can never read Burgess without thinking how his stories just go rollicking along so quickly you can hardly keep up with them. Such a delightful read-- almost as much fun reading it aloud to my own daughter as it was to have my dad read it to me at bedtimes long ago. Chug-a-rum, Grandfather Frog, I say!

[Jonathan Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Burgess Books

This is a phrase that brings a smile to my face as often as I hear it. As a young child, I would lose myself for hours in the simple world of the wood and pond inhabited by Little Joe Otter, Buster Bear, Grandfather Frog, and terrorized by Farmer Brown's Boy. I can remember the very shelf, even the exact spot in the little library in Felton, CA where these books were kept. I would return practically every week with a new armload to last me until our next trip to the library. Often I would carry out stories that I read several times before, just so I could once again escape into this imaginary world of furry mischief.

I remember these books well in concept, though the specifics of most of the stories elude me. It was easily fifteen years ago when I began reading them and has been over a decade since I last picked up one of Burguess' stories to read it. That being said, this review is being written as a look back.

These stories are very simple and very fun. Of course, they are children's literature, so that's to be expected, but these stories strike me as especially so. Even still, I can remember some fascinating things I gleaned between the their covers.

For one thing, Burgess did a fantastic job of presenting the ideas of persepective and motivation in simplistic terms. For example, "The Adventures of Danny Field Mouse" would cast Old Man Coyote as a vicious, mean creature wishing to prey on Danny and his friends and family. Yet, pick up instead "The Adventures of Old Man Coyote" and you'll see that when the story is told with him as the protagonist, those pesky field mice are annoying and useful for little more than a snack. After reading both books, you're no more inclined to think of Old Man Coyote as a villian than you are to think of Danny Field Mouse as a pest that should be exterminated. (Note: This is a generic example. I do not recall if Old Man Coyote plays a role in Danny Field Mouse's story or the other way around, but this concept was presented several times. It made an impression on me.)

The only characters consistantly presented as antagonists were Farmer Brown and his boy. This would be one of the only things that I chalk up as odd, or maybe just a little "off" in these books. Humans and their influence on nature are presented as a negative influence on nature and animals - always. It's interesting to note though that while humans are seen as a negative, humanity is lauded and held up as virtuous. All of the animals take on not only human personalities but characteristics, traits, and mannerisms. From a frog with a monocle and an otter with a handkerchief tied to a stick, to a busy-body Jay and a reclusive owl who desires only to be left alone, humanity and it's traits keep cropping up.

Which would be another thing of value I feel that I saw in the Burgess books. These stories are full of social interaction and personality conflicts, even if they are charicatured more often than not. We see over and over again a working out of peace, if not harmony, between conflicting personalities. It may not always be easy to point out a scripture to reinforce the lesson implied, but social harmony is presented and more often than not, resolution is through reconciliation, forgiveness, or a similar method that is not only laudable, but distinctly Christian in action if not motivation.

All in all, the world created by Thornton W. Burgess is imaginative, innocent, fun, and educational. My reccomendation? Grab a handful from your local library, gather a group of kids as an excuse, and lose yourselves in childhood imaginations as you read aloud the stories that have captivated several generations of young readers with the antics of our furry, albiet elusively human, friends.

(Disclaimers: As I said, it has been over a decade since I actually read one of Burgess' books. As such, there may be a specific example that's a little off in this review or something that I would have noticed as an adult that my childhood memories are missing. Also, all of these books say I read them in 1998. While I'm certain I read several of them that year, I'm sure I read some before and after that date as well.)

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 yr old gave these books a 5. I agree. "His books are awesome' she says.I liked the way morals were told in an entertaining way. I bet my daughter didn't feel she was being moralized at because she wanted to hear the whole book. I've tried others that had a distinct 'moral' or 'value' and she hates it.(Books that go ... is thankful or ... learns to be honest. blah.

Burgess books are interesting entertaining and a good read. Hopefully the little lessons learned by the animals were also learned and put away in the back of my daughter's mind!

But if not, that's ok. A book is meant to entertain and if it did that, that works for me.

They are a little 'old-fashioned' meaning the sun is called: Mr. round red jolly sun, the wind is Old Mother West Wind, a breeze is One of Mother West Wind's Children, the Merry Little Breezes etc. Quaint and not exactly science but endearing nonetheless. But other than that these books are science in story form. The stories are about real life things that frogs or bears or skunks do or could do. Unlike most books with animals as main characters where they learn to ride bikes, win the spelling bee at school etc. Beginning animal lore for young children. Or budding animal lovers.

If you miss any of these from your local library they are also on Gutenberg's free books site.

Personally I think that these should be re-released with new covers so kids will read them again.

The books themselves:

Grandfather Frog: He decides it's time for him to see more of the world. A little risk keeps life exciting. He has some exciting adventures before discovering 'there's no place like home'.

Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, mischieviousness, thoughtlessness, patience.

Danny Meadow Mouse: Danny gets upset because he has a short tail. He also gets caught by Hooty the Owl, who wants him for dinner.

Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, anger, envy, kindness, friendship, look before you leap.

Buster Bear: Buster moves to the Green woods. This doesn't please the other animals because he takes 'their' fish, and they are frightened of him. But when the animals find out that Farmer Brown's Boy is afraid of Buster, they look at him with new eyes...until they find out the next personality trait Buster shows.

Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: temper, new friends come to the neighborhood.


Old Mother West Wind: A group of stories with Mother West Wind or her Little Breezes helping the animals of the Meadow and forest. A couple of 'how the xxx got/ lost zzz' stories also that were quite entertaining.

Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: vanity, friendship, contentment, helpfulness.

Old Man Coyote: Something is making a new sound in the Green Meadows/ Green Forest. The animals don't know what it could be. When it is discovered who has moved in, Granny Fox is determined to oust them from HER feeding grounds. Granny is in for a surprise because this stranger isn't easy to fool.

Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: courage, resisting temptation, good planning.

[Pete Harmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually read a first edition, published in 1931. An absolute joy.

[Jesse Baggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Thornton W. Burgess novels are strange. Their drama is fueled by readers’ fear for what will happen to various anthropomorphized prey animals who, despite Mother Nature’s red teeth and claws, wear folksy little coattails and one-strap overalls. We don’t want to see any lil cuties eaten, but especially not that beaver in the bespoke vest! Yet here in The Adventures of Grandfather Frog, what do we see IN THE VERY FIRST ILLUSTRATION hanging from the mouth of our eponymous grenouille grand-père? The legs of one “foolish green fly.” Wearing pants.

[T. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many times as a child, but, did not remember it as an adult. I still have the copy my grandmother gave me to read on our travels on the Greyhound bus trips we made when I was in elementary school. My book is old and tattered, but the illustrations are wonderful! I loved reading this story as an adult. There are lessons for all of us no matter what age we are. As a grandma now, I relate more to old Grandfather Frog, ha! ha!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

My father also read this book to me, and it was another of the earliest I read for myself. It was the second book I could call a favorite. This book also had no paper cover, but a hard sandy-brown cover. All the interior artwork was in blacks and white, but the picture I liked best was like the one shown in this example.