Bubble Trouble

April 1, 2015
How much trouble can a bubble really cause? You'd be surprised. Rueben, a cute white rabbit wearing a polka-dot bandanna, and Felix, a bright red beaver, are best friends and nearly identical in many ways. They're exactly the same height, are both left-handed, and have lived next door to each other all their lives. They both also love bubbles-of all sorts really, but their most favorite thing is blowing really big bubbles. One day, seemingly out of nowhere, Rueben issues a challenge-"I bet I could blow a bigger bubble than you"-and suddenly a contest is on. It begins in a friendly manner, but as their bubble machines increase in complexity, the contest decreases in fun. In fact, everything gets more complicated and less enjoyable. Judges find the tiniest faults even as crowds flock from miles around to see the spectacular bubble machines. All the former friends can think about is winning, until, predictably, they see the error of their ways and resume their friendship-maybe. Numerous lift-the-flap bubbles that conceal some of the text and illustrated details are a winning touch and should delight young aspiring readers. The story itself is a little one-note, though, and the visual complexity of the former friends' bubble-blowing machines threatens to overwhelm the plot as well as the friends. The book treads familiar friendship territory and ends up feeling as insubstantial as, well, a bubble. (Picture book. 2-6)