As night falls, Ms. Mac pays us a visit.
“I hope you two had a good rest today,” she says. “Because your work isn’t over. Tomorrow, a whole new group of campers arrives for the next session of camp!”
Leaping lizards—Humphrey and I are going back to work! Only this time, we’ll know so much more about the schedules, the pranks, the Clash of the Cabins . . . and the Howler!
And I’ll know that Humphrey can manage quite well in the wild, with a little help from a friend like me.
Later in the evening, the counselors gather in the rec room to recall the high points of the first session.
Then Maria brings in popcorn, Katie takes out her guitar, and Ms. Mac gets her bongo drums. The counselors and Hap sing for the rest of the evening. When I hear those drums, I have to join in the fun as well.
There was a swamp where lived a frog
And Bongo was his name-o.
B-O-N-G-O!
B-O-N-G-O!
B-O-N-G-O!
And Bongo was his name-o.
And in a camp there lived that frog
And Bongo was his name-o.
B-O-N-G-O!
B-O-N-G-O!
B-O-N-G-O!
And Bongo was his name-o.
I dedicate the next verse to the best friend a camper ever had: Humphrey.
A hamster came to camp as well
And he’s a wild thing now-o.
HUM, HUM, HUM, HUM-PHREY!
HUM, HUM, HUM, HUM-PHREY!
HUM, HUM, HUM, HUM-PHREY!
And Humphrey is his name-o.
And I’m not that surprised when a tiny voice joins in that last chorus.
“SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK!
SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK!
SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK!
SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK, SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK!”
I can’t wait for camp to start again!
Sing-Along Suggestions
for Og’s Songs
All of Og’s songs can be sung to familiar melodies. Have fun singing!
Here and Here
Humphrey loves to help his friends . . . . “Yankee Doodle”
Here, Here and Here
There was a swamp where lived a frog . . . . “Bingo”
Here
A-camping we will go . . . . “The Farmer in the Dell”
Here, Here and Here
What’s a Howler? and Where’s the Howler? . . . . “Frère Jacques”
Here
Humphrey’s having a journey . . . . “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”
Here
Hoppy, hoppy . . . . “Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)”
Here
Welcome, welcome, to you . . . . “Happy Birthday to You”
Here and Here
Hello, Star Frog, how are you? and Thank you, Star Frog, and bye-bye . . . . “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
© Frank Birney
Betty G. Birney has written episodes for numerous children’s television shows, including Madeline, Doug, and Bobby’s World, as well as after-school specials and a television movie, Mary Christmas. She has won many awards for her television work, including an Emmy, three Humanitas Prizes, and a Writers Guild of America Award.
In addition to the Humphrey books, she is the author of The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs and The Princess and the Peabodys.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Betty lives in Los Angeles with her husband, an actor.
Find fun Og and Humphrey activities and teachers’ guides at
www.bettygbirney.com
Follow Og, Humphrey and Betty online
www.facebook.com/AccordingtoHumphrey
Twitter: @bettygbirney
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Wildlife According to Og the Frog Page 10