Tracey Corderoy

That witchy grandmother and her somewhat embarrassed granddaughter return in this third picture-book adventure, following upon Hubble Bubble, Granny Trouble and Whizz! Pop! Granny, Stop!. In rhyming text the granddaughter shares the story of how she and her granny went shopping for some treats, only for her grandmother to turn the grocery store into a magical cabaret of sorts, with animals popping off food package labels and fish fingers coming alive and swimming off in schools. Although the show more carry-on makes the granddaughter blush, she is proud when her granny's magic foils some shoplifters, and the pair return home for a wonderful meal together...

Having enjoyed its two predecessors, I picked up Spells-A-Popping! Granny's Shopping with every expectation of a pleasant read, and I was not disappointed! I really like these colorful, witchy picture-books, which give a supernatural patina to an all-too-real childhood experience: feeling embarrassed by one's elders. The rhyming text from author Tracey Corduroy reads well, and the bright, colorful artwork from Joe Berger enhances the magical doings. I think that, having read and enjoyed all three of the picture-books featuring these characters, that I might give the beginning chapter-books a try. Recommended to picture-book readers seeking witchy fare, or fun read-alouds for Halloween time. show less

"My granny's kind of different," begins this charming picture-book from the UK, which is narrated by a young girl who, although she loves her grandmother, is made very uncomfortable by her many quirks. Wearing her black pointy hat, accompanied by her cats and frogs and bats, and making her gloopy soup, Granny just isn't like the other grandparents the little girl knows. Strange things, such as the little girl's teacher suddenly finding himself in his underwear in front of his class, seem to show more happen when she is around. Finally, in desperation, the girl pleads with her granny to be more "normal-ish," and a grandmotherly reformation project is begun. But will the little girl like the results...?

Although the word 'witch' is never mentioned in the text, it is clear from story and artwork that the grandmother in Hubble Bubble, Granny Trouble is just that, lending a magical patina to the common childhood experience of feeling embarrassed by one's elders. The heartwarming resolution gives the tale a happy "family story" feeling, and emphasizes the importance of accepting people for who they are. I enjoyed Tracey Corderoy's rhyming text, despite the occasional awkward moment - it seemed to take her a few pages to find her stride - as well as the colorful artwork by Joe Berger. Those decorative endpapers were almost psychodelic! All in all, a sweetly appealing witchy tale, one I would particularly recommend to young readers who feel embarrassed by their parents and/or grandparents. show less

Hubble Bubble: Great Granny Cake Contest
Written by: Tracey Corderoy
Illustrated by: Joe Berger
Published by: Candlewick Press

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is actually a set of three short stories. They reminded me a lot of Amelia Bedelia books or Mrs. Pigglewiggle. In other words, they were completely charming and perfect for young chapter book readers.

What I loved most was the small problem in each chapter followed by the solution. These are not adult-sized show more solutions but rather kid-type answers to problems. When you need to get rid of giant carrots, obviously, you need a giant rabbit. After the carrots are eaten, the bunny is reduced down to regular size and makes a perfect class pet (another problem solved). When a baking contest gets a little intense (accusations of cheating flying fast and furious) then a food fight (even including a meringue swan coming to life as a grumpy bird) relieves all the tension and makes everyone feel good again.

I felt a little confusion about the status of magic in this book. Is magic a secret or not? Whenever the word is mentioned they do a little hushing (as if they don't want anyone to know). At the baking contest though, everyone, including the producer, seems to know about magic. In the first story, magic is being used secretly but a small boy is aware of magic and is completely casual. Believe me, if I ever saw someone using magic, I (and my daughter) would be flabbergasted beyond speech.

There is not much character or world building in these small stories. The plots are simple, the characters just respond to outer problems and stimuli (no internal conflict), and the resolutions are whimsical rather than character building. The only real lesson in these stories is to be yourself. I guess that is a good enough concept for youngsters to swallow.

The illustrations are peppered extravagantly throughout the book. They are embellished with magical swirls and fairy dust. I loved them and thought they added a lot of joy to my reading.

In conclusion, I recommend these stories for young readers. They are fun and match a child's perspective on life. This author certainly understands kids and how they think. show less

The witchy grandmother and her ambivalent granddaughter, who first appeared in Tracey Corderoy and Joe Berger's Hubble Bubble, Granny Trouble, return in this second rhyming picture-book romp. When the granddaughter's birthday approaches, she insists that she and her granny not use magic in preparing the snacks, making her party frock, or playing games. But when the night comes to an end, a display of enchanted fireworks leads her to conclude that she wouldn't want her witchy grandparent any show more other way...

Like its predecessor, Whizz Pop Granny, Stop! pairs an engagingly told tale in rhyme with bright, colorful artwork. The theme here - a child who feels embarrassed by her elder, wishing she was more like other grannies - is much the same as in the first book, and so too is the resolution. It is love that reconciles our heroine to her grandmother's nature, leading her to accept her for who she is. This is an entertaining picture-book, in the sweeter vein of witch tales, and is one I would recommend to readers who enjoy such fare, or who have read and enjoyed the earlier title about these characters. I wish that the third picture-book, Spells-A-Popping Granny's Shopping, was available through my library! show less