From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-Big Bubba likes nothing better than going "bye-bye" with his son, Bubba, and their dog, Beau. They race down the aisles of the Feed and Seed, "shoot the breeze" with Big Bubba's friends, are awash in a wave of patriotism at the post office, thump watermelons at Sam's fruit and veggie stand, and top it all off with a stop at the Freezee Deluxe. Then, when they go home for bed, Bubba and Beau give Mama Pearl a run for her money. Finally, only another ride brings sleep to the "tuckered out" infant, letting the whole family get the rest they need. A worthy follow-up to Bubba and Beau, Best Friends (Harcourt, 2002), this is another delightful peek into the squeals and squalls of a baby's daily routine. The simple text moves along as snappily as Big Bubba's red pickup. Howard's crayon-and-watercolor illustrations are the perfect complement to Appelt's words, and youngsters are sure to giggle over Bubba's and Beau's quickly changing expressions; each of the paintings is full of color, life, and good old-fashioned fun. While the theme of postponing sleep has been done equally well in Russell Hoban's classic Bedtime for Frances (HarperCollins, 1960) and Marjorie Sharmat's Goodnight Andrew, Goodnight Craig (Harper & Row, 1969; o.p.), Bubba's down-home tale with a Western twist will add a new dimension to bedtime literature for libraries.
Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RICopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
PreS-K. In this rollicking western romp, children follow the baby Bubba and puppy Beau down country roads. Arriving in his trusty, red truck, Big Bubba, with a 10-gallon hat and hairy knuckles, picks up Bubba and Beau for a day of errands. It's a big day. A visit to the Feed and Seed is followed by trips to the post office, the vegetable and fruit stand, and, finally, the Freeze Deluxe for some ice cream. Each labeled chapter focuses on one part of the errand-filled day, just enough for little ones to handle without sacrificing the flavor of the gently satiric style. Howard's watercolors spill over with comic details, such as fluffy dice on Earl's rearview mirror. After a long day, everyone is "pooped," except, of course, Baby and Bubba.
Connie FletcherCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved