Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum: Book Review and Activities

Today I’m teaming up with SusannaΒ  for Perfect Picture Book Friday.

For my book pick this week I’ve chosen Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum by Lisa Wheeler.

This book was first introduced to me by Jayne, from ABC’s of Reading.

I bought it last summer and completely forgot to read it to my class! But I found it yesterday and read it to my outgoing Grade 1s today and they LOVED it. This book is a TON of FUN.

https://amzn.to/2Ao6QZ2

Title: Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum
Author: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
Publisher: Little Brown & Co., 2004
Suitable for ages 4 to 9
Theme/Topics: Fiction, Animals, Cooperation, Problem Solving, Rhyming
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Synopsis:

There is bubble gum stuck on a hot hot road and toad is the first to succumb to its stickiness. He’s quickly followed by a shrew, a bee and other hapless creatures. But wait! Here comes a truck! It’s about to run them over. What do the animals do to escape certain disaster?

Opening:

Bubble gum, bubble gum, chewy-gooey bubble gum, Icky-sticky bubble gum Melting in the road. Along comes a toad … A fine, fat toad, A fine, fat, wild — SPLAT! — wart-backed toad.

Why I like this book:

The language is amazing. It’s full of bouncy rhyme-y words that dance around your mouth. And it’s FUNNY! But also, it lends itself to a fine talk about cooperation. I just love how all the animals try so hard to help each other.

Links to resources:

1) Choral chant and drama activity from Jayne at ABC’s of Reading.

2) Bubble gum experiments from eHow. Okay, I know this one sounds gross … but think how crazy happy it would make your kids.

3) Bubble Gum Day guide (click the image for some writing, math, science and art ideas):

4) Rhyme Round-up. Go through the book and collect all the delicious rhyming words. Write the words on cards and put them in your pocket chart and practice reading them. Mix them all up and see if the kids can get them back in their rhyming order. This is super practice for beginning readers as they really have to listen closely for the rhymes and onsets.

5) Have a discussion with your class about how the animals needed to cooperate with each other to get out of their predicament.

Just so you know … the largest bubble ever blown was 20 inches in diameter!

Enjoy!

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22 thoughts on “Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum: Book Review and Activities”

  1. I have read every Lisa Wheeler book that our library has. Her writing is spectacular. I haven't read this one and look forward to finding it! I'm sure I'll love it as much as I love her others!

    Reply
  2. Jayne,I emailed you a little while ago asking for the choral reading script for this story! We are doing a bubble gum day tomorrow and I would love to have this!Thanks in advance!

    Reply

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