​About the Book

​​Thomas is an aquarium toad of unknown parentage. He doesn’t know his past and the prospects for his future are dim. While he’s read extensively about faraway lands, Thomas has never ventured beyond the glass walls of home. But when happenstance leaves a door open into a brave new world, Thomas hopes he’ll finally discover where he belongs. 

As the story unfolds, this humble but educated toad finds himself in the middle of a civil feud between rival frog clans and a lost kingdom yet to be restored. Thomas wrestles with the tension of being a toad of two worlds, and learns that pride can overtake anyone, and that even victory can defeat the victor. 

Frog of Arcadia is an enchanting moral epic filled with cowardice and chivalry, pride and majesty, boorishness and heroism. But a divine order holds it all together and, at last, we all reap what we sow.

About the Author

Though my family weren’t farmers, I had the privilege of growing up on a picturesque farm property in rural Ontario. Hidden behind our white, wooden driveshed, was a small patch of wetlands. This glorious little muskeg was just small enough that adults could be excused for overlooking it. But a child’s eyes can perceive such features with a different level of utility than a grown-up’s might, for an abundance of frogs and turtles would pay me visit from the bosom of that swampy paradise.
Given my upbringing, it might come as no surprise that the topic of my first book should revolve around the backyard critters which I had so much joy catching in my formative years. Today, I live in Orangeville, Ontario with my wife and our two children, where I am actively involved in youth and children's ministries at our local Church. I am an avid writer and am blessed to have a gifted illustrator for a brother. And though I live in town, I remain an outdoor enthusiast.
​I take great joy in hearing from people who have enjoyed my writing. So please, feel free to drop me a line. 

get in touch with Blake

Bookstore

Frog of Arcadia is now available on ​major online retailers!

Reviews

In his fanciful novella, Frog of Arcadia, Blake Bobechko brings new life to the proverb “you reap what you sow” in a manner that will resonate with readers both young and old.

Replete with charming illustrations, delightful song lyrics and numerous echoes of Renaissance mythology, Bobechko’s Frog of Arcadia is certainly an engaging reading experience. However, it is his inventive and humorous narrative voice that impresses most as we follow the heroic journey of a well-read Frog who embarks on a transformative adventure.

Additionally, it is difficult to think of a more whimsical, accessible tale that may inspire readers to further pilgrimages into what Canadian literary critic, Northrop Frye, might identify as the archetypes - rooted in the imagination itself - of Western art and literature.

Timeless and timely, Frog of Arcadia is an enchanting and epic parable that will give readers both young and old pause to appreciate the things in life that truly matter most.
Endorsed by John MacDonald
Retired Head of the English Department at Brebeuf College
Toronto Catholic District School Board
​The best books are those filled with a love of storytelling and narrated with unflinching character. Frog of Arcadia is one such book, a sweetly surreal fairy tale about a kingdom of amphibians. I’d class it as low fantasy, but the anthropomorphised animals blur the lines between the real and fantastical, so you could easily see it as a “normal” adventure.

The story follows Thomas the toad, who escapes his cosy terrarium and home to venture over the highway and into the previously unknown kingdom of Arcadia. The prince of this realm is trying to rebuild it after ages of hardship. Coincidentally, Thomas and his twist-filled journey, dotted with various colourful characters, become instrumental in this quest...

Something that makes the narrative that much more intriguing is its Arthurian core, as well as how the story upturns some of its tropes to fit the amphibian context.

In addition to plenty of laughs, you can look forward to a great example of grand delivery done well. Most writers avoid this level of formality because it can easily make a story tiresome. In this case, it works really well, not just because it suits the overall medieval atmosphere, but because the author clearly has the skill and passion for fun writing to pull it off.

While short and simple, Frog of Arcadia is a refreshing read with wonderful style and flow, not to mention some lovely illustrations. Its events, familiar features, and surrealism will give your day humour and meaningful life lessons. Furthermore, if you’re looking for a good story for your kids that includes animals and stimulating adventure, this could be a perfect fit.
Excerpts from a review by Electra Nanou
​Author at Book Breath

READ THE BOOK? PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW ON AMAZON.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

If you want to see more Frog of Arcadia type content, check out Blake Bobechko's substack A State of Wonder. There, Blake discusses all manners of inspirations and general musings. You can subscribe FOR FREE to gain access to A State of Wonder’s newsletter and website.