Bubble Trouble

June 1, 2004
Gr 1-2-When Grace asks her big sister if she can join her Bubble Club, Jane tells her that she must first be able to blow a bubble. Unable to do so with chewing gum, Grace tries other methods: she uses a straw to blow into a bowl of water or a glass of milk; employs a bubble mix and wand; and burps (the book explains that burps are air bubbles in your stomach). Jane turns Grace down each time. However, when the older girl blows a very large bubble-gum bubble that pops and gets in her hair, Grace suggests that she use peanut butter to remove the sticky substance and finally gains entry into the club. Scientific facts about bubbles are presented in very small print at the bottom of the pages. The story is lackluster and serves only to introduce the topic of bubbles as a science lesson. However, due to the size and positioning of the information, any possible scientific benefit is likely to be lost. The colorful illustrations adequately depict the action, but they are not enough to carry the text.-Karen Stuppi, Harmony Elementary School, Middletown, NJ

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.