This bright book is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who loves bubble baths because through its oversized pages he can venture into imaginative worlds, such as the Bubble Shoe Shop, Bubble Ice Cream Parlor and the Bubble Marsh, which were favorites for me and both my kids. The thick glossy pages explode with original artwork and close-ups of photographic images. Really, this book has a lot for the eyes to feast on.
The rhyming text takes readers on a magical exploration of soap bubble orbs and what we can imagine in them. I particularly liked the many photographs because they can be used as a guessing game of trying to figure out what the close-up of each photo is. The author also includes on every page spread the definition of two words so that new words are learned. At the back of the book, there are vinyl stickers that can be stuck and used over and over on the pages, but also in the bathtub! Both my kids thought this was so cool.
The book is available in hardcover with a shiny white padded cover, as a waterproof bathtub book with LED light and also as an interactive iPad book app, which includes narration from the author's two daughters, sound effects and all kinds of fun stuff to do. This book is so attractive that my 12 year-old daughter loved looking through it as much as my younger son, and she thought both the artwork and the photos were awesome.
Highly recommended to brighten up the world of any child who loves big books, bright pictures and, of course, bubble baths.
I review a lot of children's books, and I've read a lot of good ones, but Bubble Tubbie is one of the most original concepts that I've seen. With author Epiphany Schwarz's rhyming text and original art, plus the dozens of images by a team of talented artists and photographers, and twenty removable stickers that can be placed anywhere a child wants them, Bubble Tubby is more than just a simple storybook. It's an interactive experience to pique a child's interest in a variety of subjects and inspire them to imagine their own stories and adventures. There's also a learning factor, with definitions being provided for words from the text that younger children may not yet be familiar with.
Physically, it's an impressive book. At about 11"x11", it's big, with padded covers and laminated pages that are water-resistant, tear-resistant, and can be cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge. The two pages of colorful reusable vinyl stickers are a real bonus for kids. I noticed that there is also a Bubble Tubbie app for the iPad, but not having an iPad, I was unable to try it.
In my opinion, kids from toddlers through the early school grades will enjoy Bubble Tubbie. Whereas simpler storybooks might be good for a few readings, Bubble Tubbie has the richness and depth to hold a child's attention through many readings as their interests broaden and their imaginations evolve.
