Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Oakdale Library | EASY VAN | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
When a boy named Harry
sneaks out of bed one night
with his best friend, Horsie,
to play with his Super Duper Bubble Blooper --
an out-of-this-world adventure begins!
Illustrated with retro-comic art, this is a charming story about the power of friendship and imagination from a talented new team.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-Harry and his best friend, Horsie, are inseparable. One night, when he can't sleep, he climbs to the shelf that holds his new bubble-making machine. He creates bubbles that begin to surround objects in his room and float them out the window. That's not a problem until one of the diaphanous orbs picks up Horsie and silently drifts into outer space. Harry's adventure in rescuing his beloved stuffed animal is enhanced by retro-style, computer-generated illustrations in beige, blue, and black with touches of red and gold. Planets that hang from Harry's ceiling, a crescent moon shining into his room, and the racecar posters decorating his walls all foreshadow the boy's quest. The intriguing pictures vary from one or two per page to entire spreads, creating interest and flow. This simple story looks as though it could have been written and illustrated in the 1950s, but it will appeal to today's readers.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Pop art a la Roy Lichtenstein lends a retro vibe to this debut for both Van Camp and Agnew, about a boy and his sidekick, a toy horse. On a moonlit night, Harry lies awake in his bedroom, where planets, stars and rockets hang from the ceiling, and eyes his soap-bubble ray gun. "Wherever Harry went, Horsie went too, so they crept across the room" to grab the Super Duper Bubble Blooper. The Blooper's enormous bubbles float Harry's toys out the window, lofting the helpless rag doll Horsie into outer space. Harry dons a helmet and rides a streamlined rocket to the rescue, passing by his racecars, seen tearing around the rings of Saturn, and his kitten, lolling about in the Milky Way. Agnew's 1960s-style illustrations, in high-contrast black and white with faded blue, yellow and red accents, resemble screen prints from the Sunday funnies, complete with movement and sound effects ("zooom!!!"). Silhouetted cityscapes and planets serve as backgrounds, and Harry strikes several heroic poses while saving Horsie (who doesn't display much personality). A typical dream sequence, significantly elevated by the art. Ages 3-6. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
It's past bedtime, but Harry and Horsie are still awake, drawn to the Super Duper Bubble Blooper aglow in the moonlight. Tiptoeing out of bed, they soon fill the room with the effervescent globules. So plentiful are the bubbles that to Harry's boisterous delight, books, toys and shoes begin to float out the window and into space. But when a bubble carries Horsie away, Harry's frivolity turns to fortitude. Dazzling rays emanate from the brave boy. With chest puffed forward and rocket ship in hand, he blasts off, determined to find his best friend. Through stardust he hurtles to save Horsie. Together they return homeand to bedknowing no matter the adventure, they'll always be together. Van Camp's winsome text about a boy's spirited imagination is propelled by Agnew's dynamic illustrations. Done in a comic-bookinspired style, they burst with thrilling action and energy. Through silkscreen effect and the use of a four-color palette, they make the story feel both hip and classic. Young boys and space adventurers will adore this captivating, exuberant and contagious tale. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
A child unleashes his imagination in this after-lights-out adventure. Awake in the inky depths of night, Harry sneaks out of bed and creeps across the shadowed room to nab his Super Duper Bubble Blooper off the shelf. Filling the air with bubbles is an enchanting diversion, until one carries his stuffed sidekick Horsie off into the cosmos. Harry snags his helmet and goggles, straddles a toy rocket, and lifts off, zooming past planets and comets en route to a thrilling rescue. Agnew's art uses an effectively limited color palette, faded dot patterns, and crisp lines to create a retro-cartoon feel, and Harry's toys (a blocky robot, a needle-nosed rocket ship) could have been lifted from a '50s rumpus room. In the end, the inseparable Harry and Horsie return to earth and bed, finally tuckered out. With dashing visuals that capture Harry's deep-space adventure with verve to spare, and a comforting resolution, this has potential to be a bedtime favorite.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2009 Booklist
