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Who is Melvin Bubble? -
by Nick Bruel.
Contributor biographical information
Publisher description
New Milford, Conn. : Roaring Brook Press, c2006.
30 p. : col. ill. ; 29 cm.
Annotations:
- "A Neal Porter book."
An introduction to six-year-old Melvin Bubble as presented by his family, friends, and others.
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
- North Carolina Children's Book Award, 2009 Winner Picture Book North Carolina
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
- Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2008-2009 ; Nominee; Picture Book; Maryland
North Carolina Children's Book Award, 2009 ; Nominee; Picture Book; North Carolina
Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award, 2008 ; Finalist; Washington
Reading Measurement Programs:
Accelerated Reader
Interest Level Lower Grade
Book Level 2.8
Accelerated Reader Points 0.5
Recorded Voice Quizzes
Lexile, MetaMetrics, Inc.
Lexile Measure 430
Reading Counts-Scholastic
Interest Level 3-5
Reading Level 2
Title Point Value 1
Lexile Measure 430
Reviews:
- Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
Melvin Bubble’s best friend Jimmy Wallpaper has sent a letter to our author which introduces the story. That, he tells us, is the cause for this examination of who exactly Melvin is. And of course the answer to that question depends on the person asked. His dad feels he is “a chip off the old block.” His thoughts are matched by a series of photos comparing father and son at different ages. His mom’s answer is a tirade on his messiness, familiar to any mother. Each double-page spread gives a further verbal and visual answer to the question, from Melvin’s friend Jimmy, of course, and from his dog, his teddy bear, the three-eyed monster in his closet, Santa Claus, even the Tooth Fairy. When we get answers from the “beautiful princess,” “the meanest man in the world,” a “magic rock,” a “talking zebra,” we have come “far afield.” It remains for Melvin and Jimmy to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. Delightful cartoon style characters and contents combine to produce really amusing visualizations of the wide-ranging answers to the title question. His mom’s despair at his messy room is clear in both her expression and the collection of items on every surface. The zebra sneaking a peek from the edge of a scene, the three-eyed monster in striped pajamas, and bunny slippers are just part of the visual fun. 2006, A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8.Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 13))
Distant cousin to "The Blind Men and the Elephant," this character portrait answers the title question through statements from a lad's father and mother, his best friend, his teddy bear and closet monster, the tooth fairy and other associates. Young Melvin turns out to be fairly typical: "A chip off the old block!" according to his dad (the pictures tell a different story, though); in his mom's view, "the messiest boy in the world" (possibly true from visual evidence); eminently huggable (Teddy); gifted with the ability to whistle a tune through his nose (best friend); and so on. Bright cartoon illustrations provide tongue-in-cheek commentary, as well as a sometimes-labeled inventory of Melvin's world, possessions and accomplishments. He himself steps up at the end to deliver a self-aware, breezily positive summation. Young readers should find him familiar, and may be moved by his example to take similar stock of themselves. 2006, Roaring Brook, 32p, $16.95. Category: Picture book. Ages 6 to 8. © 2006 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.Leslie Greaves Radloff (Library Media Connection, March 2007)
Jimmy Wallpaper has asked Mr. Bruel to write about his best friend, Melvin Bubble, so that everyone will find out what a really nice kid Melvin is. We find out what Melvin wears, what he eats for lunch, his favorite toy truck, but to find out who he really is, Mr. Bruel interviews his dad, his toys, the tooth fairy, an ugly monster, a beautiful princess, Melvin's dog, Santa Claus, and Melvin himself. Each has a different perception and provides readers with more information about Melvin. A little far-fetched, but a unique look at point-of-view that provides chuckles along the way. If there is extra money in the budget, you should consider this title. Additional Selection. 2006, Roaring Brook Press, 32pp., $16.95 lb. Ages 7 to 9. Subjects:
- Humorous stories.
Humorous stories.
Reproduction Number:
- Junior Library Guild http://www.juniorlibraryguild.com
| Language | Call Number | LCCN | Dewey Decimal | ISBN/ISSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (eng) | PZ7.B82832 Wh 2006 |
2005029551 |
[E] |
1596431164 9781596431164 |