Hubble Bubble, Granny Trouble (Hubble Bubble)

In a story about being true to oneself, a girl is less than thrilled that her grandmother is less than ordinary. For example, everywhere Granny goes, she brings an entourage of cats, frogs, and bats; she can make things disappear; and she rides a broom. In an attempt to make her grandmother more anormalish, a the girl gives her a makeover (involving a hair bun, a smart plaid suit, and a pink bunny), but Grannyas spirits sink. Berger creates a spunky, retro atmosphere of burbling cauldrons and swirling pinks in his matte art as the girl learns to appreciate her grandmotheras witchy eccentricities in this simple story. Ages 3a up. (July)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

The young narrator's grandmother has an uncanny ability to make objects disappear, and her turbo-jet broom serves as her favorite mode of transportation. Tired of taking part in her unusual excursions, the child gives her granny a makeover and encourages her to develop ordinary habits to bring normalcy to her life. Grandma, however, is simply not meant to live a traditional lifestyle, and her granddaughter eventually learns to celebrate her uniqueness in a sweetly realized ending. The narrative strongly hints at her grandmother's unusual occupation while lively, rhyming text maintains energetic pacing through repetition. "My granny's kind of different. She cooks this icky soup./I swear she uses slime and sludge and bits of froggy-poop!" There's nothing spooky in the British charm found in phrases and visual design. Hilarious details add chuckles along this pair's journey: the grandmother carries a cauldron purse; takes her granddaughter to see "Scary Poppins"; and brings along a menagerie of cats, bats, and frogs for some fun in the sun. Cartoon illustrations, emphasized in shades of deep purple and blue, remain cheerfully witchy. This is a lovely, imaginative romp, with just a pinch of playful mischief thrown in.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC