Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives [Paperback]

Kathi Appelt (Author), Arthur Howard (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Series: Bubba And Beau

When Cousin Arlene and her dog, Bitsy, arrive in Bubbaville, it’s hugs and kisses galore—and Bubba and Beau are not enjoying the party. But when they round up the froufrou cousins and head for their favorite squishy, squashy, muddy spot in the garden, Sister, the fun finally begins.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-Bubba and Beau return for more hilarious adventures. In this installment, the relatives are coming to see the baby, the dog, Mama Pearl, and Big Bubba at their home in the country. Mama hands out orders and soon toys are swept under beds, the pup's bones are put away, and scrumptious treats are prepared. Bubba and Beau are gussied up in fancy new duds to meet Grandaddy Bubba, Grandma Ruby, Aunt Sapphire, and Cousin Arlene and her little dog, Bitsy. After the babies are hugged and passed around, they crawl to Bubba's favorite place-the mud hole-where they get good and filthy. There is only one thing to do-fill up the bed of the pickup truck, don swimsuits, and have a relaxing family soak. With interjections such as "Sister, that mud hole was better than pickled eggs," Appelt's folksy narrative dances through the five short chapters, and careful pacing and dialogue add to the fun. Howard's illustrations extend the jokes; readers will laugh out loud at Mama Pearl as she hides clutter in closets and at the hilarious depiction of Cousin Arlene and her "froufrou city" Pekingese. Comparisons to Cynthia Rylant's The Relatives Came (S & S, 1985) are obvious, but this book more than holds its own.
Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Mama Pearl and Big Bubba are busy cleaning and cooking before the arrival of relatives, so baby Bubba and his dog, Beau, squish and squash in the nearest mud hole until they are discovered. Consternation! Bath! Scratchy sailor suit! The relatives arrive, including gussied-up baby Arlene. After the babies have been admired and photographed, they quietly crawl away--to enjoy the mud hole. The story doesn't end there; it just gets better until the relatives' truck pulls away to the sound of "Y'all come back now, ya hear?" With the down-home southern vernacular, the cowboy boots and hats, and the Lone Star decorations on Big Bubba's truck, the setting is surely Texas, but the audience for this amusing picture book extends far beyond state lines. Divided into five short chapters, the flavorful text begs to be read aloud. With equal parts warmth and creativity, Howard brings the story to life with his witty pencil drawings, brightened with colorful washes. Varying composition and page design, he creates a series of scenes portraying the characters in a comical yet affectionate light. The third book in the Bubba and Beau saga. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; 1 edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152061363
• ISBN-13: 978-0152061364
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #636,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Where We Live > Country Life

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for kids & parents!, April 8, 2005

By 

R. Posey "mommy" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives (Hardcover)

We started by checking out the Bubba and Beau books from the library, but quickly found we read them every day and the books were due back. So, we bought the books, and (as Appelt would put it) honey, it was better than pickled eggs! Meet the Relatives has to be my personal favorite of the 3. Can't help but read it with a slight twang. We enjoy it so much, we're sending the books to cousins to enjoy...

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Funny!, August 23, 2011

By 

kdw - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives (Hardcover)

I loved this book so much I sent it as a gift to one of my niece's for her birthday. It is a must to read in your best southern accent!

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute Story, Great Illustrations, January 29, 2010

By 

Terri J. Rice "ricepaper" (WA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives (Paperback)

The author, Kathi Appelt, is a very fortunate woman because her illustrator, Arthur Howard, is the best there is in kids' books. And as such, Howard makes this book doubly worth the purchase. Howard is the illustrator of the wonderful Mr. Putter series by Cynthia Rylant.

A cute little story about Bubba meeting all his relatives including little Beau who is about the same age as Bubba, a baby.

After the fussy, kissy introductions, Bubba and Beau thoroughly enjoy their day playing in the mud, playing in water in the truck, making a mess of their lunches, until it is time for Beau and all the relatives to head home.

The illustrations will really keep a child's attention, along with the cute story.