Excuse Me! [Hardcover]

Lisa Kopelke (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003

Frog has a problem. Burping makes him happy, but all the other frogs think it's disgusting. When he finds a town where everyone loves to burp, he finally realizes that the other frogs may have been right after all.

This comedy of bad manners will have children laughing out loud. And they will discover, like Frog, that a little manners can go a long way. Lisa Kopelke's lively text and witty illustrations showcase Frog and his overly gassy friends.

Burp!
Excuse me!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Frog has a problem. He loves to eat and he loves to burp. When he's a tadpole, the other frogs think his behavior is "cute," but as he gets bigger and his belches get louder, they begin to think it's quite disgusting. Finally, unable to stand it any longer, they send him "up the river." Far away from home, he hears burping in the nearby town and discovers other frogs that eat and burp day and night. At first life is blissful, but then even he becomes fed up with their bad manners. Spotting publicity about the Great Annual Frog Jam back home, he returns in disguise, "nervous that he would not be welcome." When he arrives, a crowd is already gathered around the Three-Beetle Chili, and the mayor's family and others are lapping it up. When Baby Mayor emits "a gigantic burp," everyone else follows, including Frog, and his disguise flies off. "You are excused!" Mr. Mayor declares, and the outcast is enthusiastically welcomed back. From the first page that introduces the lovable, bottle-green frog, fork in hand, to the final spread that shows lumpy green frogs in a circle, holding webbed hands, children will revel in Frog's antics. The scenes of slimy-looking food and clouds of belches come to life in warm-toned, acrylic spreads. This will be a great read-aloud, but get ready to hear listeners do some burping of their own.
Leslie Barban, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. Frog has been burping steadily since he was a tadpole, but as he grows older he finds that his burps, once exclaimed over, are no longer acceptable. The other frogs hold a meeting and exile Frog up the river. It isn't long before he finds a community of frogs that belch freely with no apologies. But what seems like paradise soon pales, as Frog tires of burps, 24/7. Disguised with fake nose, mustache, and glasses, he returns home for the annual food festival, where his old compatriots eat so much that they let loose with some tremendous belches. At least they say, "Excuse me!" Kopelke's expansive acrylic illustrations are loaded with energy and exaggerated humor, including some gaseous explosions destined to prompt laughter as furniture flies. Kids are sure to enjoy this and yearn for the obvious, more disgusting, sequel. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689851111
• ISBN-13: 978-0689851117
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,141,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lisa currently lives in Ogden, Utah.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hilarious Book for Everyone!, March 15, 2003

By 

Deanne B (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Excuse Me! (Hardcover)

As a parent and teacher, I'm always on the lookout for quality children's books. Excuse Me by Lisa Kopelke has creatively textured and detailed illustrations, and the story keeps kids giggling the whole way through. When we finish reading this book, I hear a chorus of young voices say, "More Frog!" A successful lesson in manners and a hilarious read. This picture book a real winner!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Booyea for boisterous, buoyant burping!, March 12, 2003

By 

Agy Wilson (Portland, ME United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Excuse Me! (Hardcover)

Frog's brazen love of food and burping gets him trouble with those who love him. Though it was cute as a tadpole, poor Frog finds he really offends when he lets fly all those raucous belches. Too much fun! The illustrations are hilarious, the words funny and expressive, it encouraged A LOT of audience participation, and many rereadings!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comedic book on the importance of manners, January 26, 2005

By 

Dezerae Naro "Daisy" (Eugene, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Excuse Me! (Hardcover)

"Excuse Me!" by Lisa Kopelke is a wonderfully creative book when trying to explain the importance of manners to children. This book explores the world of a frog and his friends. Frog is looked down upon for his constant burping, so they send him away. He finds a town full of other frogs that love to burp, but he realizes how discusting it can be. He ventures back home and is accepted because he has realized the importance of saying, "excuse me" after he burps. As a teacher to be, I would appreciate having this book in my classroom. It is good to always be reinforcing manners and appropriate behavior with the students. This book also has some wonderful illustrations that everyone will love. Buy it today!