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kristenremenar's review
5.0
My tongue is trilling and thrilling over Mahy's amazing rhymes! Such a fun, clever book - can't wait to use it in a rhyme and meter lesson, and can't wait just to share it aloud!
jatgood's review
3.0
This book is a wonderful example of a rhyming story. Reader beware: this book may take a little practice, the rhymes don’t slip easily off the tongue, but the text is such creative use of word play that the practice will pay off. “Little Mable blew a bubble, and it caused a lot of trouble. Such a lot of bubble trouble in a bibble-bobble way.” The bubble goes over Mabel’s baby brother and lifts him up out of his highchair. The baby floats outside with Mabel, her mother and then one by one more and more townspeople in rumpus pursuit. The crabby couple, the scrabble players, the patchwork quilters - they watch in horror when naughty Abel shots a pebble at the bubble. Not to fear - the patchwork quilt and the towns people save the rosy-cheeked baby.
“And the people there still prattle - there’s is lots of tittle-tattle-
for the glory in the story, young and old folk, gold and gray,
of how wicked treble Abel tripled trouble with his pebble,
but how Mabel (and some others) saved her brother and the day.”
The words match the main object of the story - they bubble in the mouth and are such creative use of language - they introduce young listeners to delightful words. The illustrations are warm, sweet and endearing. They combine bright watercolors, softly textured pencil strokes, and paper cutouts of beautiful prints to create vibrant and funny scenes. As the baby in the bubble wobbles across the two-page spreads, the text wiggles and waves up and down to mimic the movements. The story would probably work well in a story time - it’s fun to hear and the illustrations heighten the sense of commotion and adventure.
“And the people there still prattle - there’s is lots of tittle-tattle-
for the glory in the story, young and old folk, gold and gray,
of how wicked treble Abel tripled trouble with his pebble,
but how Mabel (and some others) saved her brother and the day.”
The words match the main object of the story - they bubble in the mouth and are such creative use of language - they introduce young listeners to delightful words. The illustrations are warm, sweet and endearing. They combine bright watercolors, softly textured pencil strokes, and paper cutouts of beautiful prints to create vibrant and funny scenes. As the baby in the bubble wobbles across the two-page spreads, the text wiggles and waves up and down to mimic the movements. The story would probably work well in a story time - it’s fun to hear and the illustrations heighten the sense of commotion and adventure.
librariandest's review
4.0
The extremely clever Margaret Mahy has written some wonderful poetry here. It begs to be read aloud, but it'll take you some practice to really pull it off.
Weirdly, when I was reading it, I thought of that scene in Anne of Avonlea (the movie) where Anne performs Tennyson's "The Highwayman" at a fancy event. I then had a brief daydream in which I dramatically recited Bubble Trouble while wearing puffed sleeves before a crowd of children. I think it would totally work without the illustrations.
Um, I think this review is starting to say more about me than the book, so I'll wrap it up. Due to length, I'd say this is best for ages 4 and up.
Weirdly, when I was reading it, I thought of that scene in Anne of Avonlea (the movie) where Anne performs Tennyson's "The Highwayman" at a fancy event. I then had a brief daydream in which I dramatically recited Bubble Trouble while wearing puffed sleeves before a crowd of children. I think it would totally work without the illustrations.
Um, I think this review is starting to say more about me than the book, so I'll wrap it up. Due to length, I'd say this is best for ages 4 and up.
celticrockgirl's review
4.0
Wow, this book was one page of tongue twisters after another!!! I could barely keep my mouth going to read it correctly! But it was a big hit with my 5 1/2 yr old friend who read it with me!!
lefa's review
5.0
Avery loooooooves this book. They rhymes and the repetition keep him listening, but he loves to pour over the pictures, too.
alysona's review
5.0
This was lots of fun to read. A very skilled person could have a great time with this as a read aloud, but the rhymes are difficult (but always terrific) tongue twisters.