Tiny's Cup Match story aims to inspire exercise

FRIDAY, JULY 27: A new book starring local cartoon character Tiny the Tree Frog celebrating Cup Match aims to promote reading and exercise in Bermuda’s young population.

Tiny’s Bermudaful Cup Match by children’s author Elizabeth Mulderig begins when Tiny is awakened by “the voice of summer” (Jim Woolridge) on Cup Match morning.

After being assured that Cup Match lasts for ‘donkeys years’ he gets on with joining in the festivities.

He soon discovers that he is much better at cheering the cricket players on than actually playing the game.

However, in an effort to inspire children to exercise, Tiny jumps in the air kicking his heels up to cheerlead. He can be found Gombey dancing as well and riding a dice through the air during Crown and Anchor.

Mulderig says she feels she has a responsibility to inspire Bermudian children.

 She said: “In the first book I ever wrote, Tiny the Tree Frog Tours Bermuda, I remember thinking the entire premise of the book lay in Tiny’s love of the island.

“I thought it would be great to point out to kids how lucky they are to live surrounded by things like pink sand, turquoise water, flowering trees etc.

“I don’t necessarily look to dictate a message in my books but rather to point certain positive things out in each one.”

The author got the idea to do a ‘sporty’ book on cricket after her first book was placed on boards in the city’s parks. Tiny’s Story Walk in both Par-La-Ville (now Queen Elizabeth) and Victoria parks encourages children to not only read but to exercise as well.

She added: “I thought a child might see Tiny as a role model and take up a little cheerleading or Gombey dancing...even walking around the perimeter of the field, like Tiny does, is a start.”

Tiny’s Bermudaful Cup Match is also available at Bermuda Book Store, Brown and Co., The Irish Linen Shop, AS Coopers and Craft Market and will also be on sale at Cup Match.