Freddie the Frog is back with some more musical adventures in Beth Becker's second book, Try Try Try Another Musical Tale.
Released in November, the retired Guelph elementary school teacher’s multimedia story, told through book form, video and song, encourages children to never give up during trying times.
"I look for themes that are good for kids and for teachers so that they can use them in the classroom. My first book’s theme was to do something nice for someone each day which is a great theme for little kids. The theme for this book is to try, try try,” Becker said.
“When you are up against a problem, don’t give up. Just persevere. And you will find a solution.”
Becker uses the same characters as in her first book, Something Nice: A Musical Tale.
"Freddy the Frog is still there. He encounters all of his friends who are having problems, of one sort or another. And he says, ‘don’t give up. Think of a plan. You can solve the problem. I know you can,’” Becker said.
“They end up, of course, solving their problems, and then you go back and revisit them at the end of the book. Their problems are solved and everyone is happy.”
Children and music are Becker’s biggest passions.
“I was a music teacher for years. I always looked for books that would teach certain concepts in music but there weren’t a lot out there,” Becker said.
Becker’s grandson inspired her to pursue book writing.
“When I began getting grandchildren four years ago, I thought, you know, this is an age that I have not reached out to yet. I have worked with kids in middle school, I have two women’s choirs going, but I have never had the opportunity to do anything for the really little kids,” Becker said.
“My grandson just started junior kindergarten. This is the kind of book where the wee ones can watch the video, and turn the pages at the same time. They can sing along and they can also start to get the concept of how to read."
Along with the theme to never give up, musically, Becker hopes children can learn the difference between beat and rhythm.
The song, written by Becker, was recorded by Guelph-based musician and audio/visual producer Joel Saunders, who also helped to add various instruments.
“Kids usually learn about beat and rhythm in Grade 1. Joel is my music/audio/video specialist. When I came up with the song, I sent it to him asking for an instrumental version for it,” Becker said.
“I also wanted to use different percussion instruments so kids can learn about them. I have worked with Joel for many years as he does the instrumentals for my choir. I do the arrangement, and he does the instrumental and then mixes them.”
Illustrations were done by Cambridge illustrator Leah McCreight, and in her second book, voice actor/performer Sean Terrio adds voices to each character.
“I worked for the Upper Grand District School Board, so I’ve been visiting different schools and doing presentations on the books. Kids can get to know them and then it’s in their libraries for them to sign out,” Becker said.
Becker will continue to make her rounds to various schools, locally.
“In the new year, I plan to visit schools regarding the second book,” she said.
Both books can be purchased on Amazon here.
“I’ve really enjoyed the song writing, making rhymes and putting things to music. The fun for me was starting out with a song, having an idea of where it could go, and then working with a great team to reach the end goal and see it all come together,” Becker said.
“I hope kids get the message to keep trying if things in life get too hard and to never give up.”
Becker hopes to continue to inspire children with music.
“That has been a goal my whole life,” she said.
“I hope my books can keep music in their lives somehow, whether they listen to it, play an instrument, or sing. I hope they stay involved in music somehow, because it really is so fulfilling.”