Богтроттер

by Margaret Wild, Маргарет Уайльд

В сырой пещере посреди болота живёт Богтроттер — симпатичное лохматое существо. Целями днями он бегает — назад, вперёд, по кочкам и вокруг болота. И так каждый день, неделя за неделей, год за годом. Иногда ему хочется что-то изменить в своей жизни, но он не знает, как и зачем. И вот однажды он срывает маленький жёлтый цветок… Эта история о том, что происходит с нами, когда мы решаемся попробовать что-то новое в своей жизни и бросаем вызов самим себе. Богтроттер — замечательный персонаж, который напоминает нам, что жизнь полна приключений, открытий и безграничных возможностей.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

26 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.

Reviews

[Alexandra Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me goosebumps! It's all about the joy of going out and taking joy in trying new things. Beautiful illustrations and a beautiful message. If you don't smile all the way through this book, seek help immediately.

[Bookrapt (Est. 1983) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Stop and smell the roses,” is well-known advice given to people who are often too busy to appreciate the beauty of the world around them. The author gives young readers a similar message when she introduces them to a busy bogtrotter who is forever running.

When Bogtrotter wakes up in the morning he goes outside his cave and starts to run up, down, and around the marshy, mushy bog until it’s time to go home again. Each and every day he repeats his running routine, week after week, year after year. Sometimes he feels lonely and wishes things would change but he doesn’t know how or why.

One day, a frog asks Bogtrotter why he runs all day long. Bogtrotter stops for a moment to talk and think. Then he looks down and sees a pretty yellow flower poking between his toes. The story unfolds Bogtrotter’s dawning awareness of nature’s beauty and the creatures that also live in the bog. His explorations reveal his sheer delight in the simple things of life.

But, can there be even more exciting discoveries to be found outside the bog? Bogtrotter stares at the flat, green line of the bog where it meets the huge, blue sky. Will he venture further afield?

The illustrator portrays Bogtrotter as a cheerful creature who just needs encouragement to stop and look around him. Energy and humour fills each page as he gradually awakens to the joys of making a daisy chain, dancing in the summer rain, and mud bank sliding. The soft, watercolour shades of blue and green glow with life. Inside the hardback covers, the endpapers illustrate glorious green fields dotted with daisies - very inviting.

A gently subversive tale that introduces readers to wonders to be explored beyond our safe, everyday routines.

Reviewed by Jean Bennett (Bookrapt)

[D.peabody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this. Bogtrotter does the same thing every day because it is what he has always done. He feels bored and lonely but why? One day a frog causes him to stop and consider and do one small thing that is different. I love the concept of little changes and being adventurous leading to a happier life. I also love the simple introduction to self awareness. And the beautiful illustrations are icing on the cake.