Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
Bubbles: Big Stink in Frog Pond is a children’s story by Ben Woodard. Bubbles loves living in Frog Pond with his friends. His only problem is blowing bubbles in the water that smell so awful the other frogs do not want to be around him. Fonzo thinks Bubbles stinks while Shirley suggests eating different bugs, so the first week he eats flies…Bloop! Bubbles eats grasshoppers the second week…Bloop, Bloop! Ugh! The other frogs cannot stand the smell any longer and Groucho tells him to leave Frog Pond and take his bubbles with him. Bubbles is so sad, but when he hears a cry for help, he returns and sees boys catching his friends. He is so scared that out comes the biggest, smelliest bubble ever…BLOOP! It burns the boys’ eyes and the stinky smell makes them flee. The grateful frogs thank Bubbles, but still dislike his bloops and tell him to leave; however, caring Shirley wants Bubbles to stay. What will Bubbles’ decision be?
It is easy to imagine the responses of young children while reading Bubbles: Big Stink in Frog Pond. I love Bubbles, despite his bloops, and the other adorable characters too. Ben Woodard is imaginative and writes with a witty sense of humour. His theme is definitely original, giving good visuals of the Frog Pond activities with fantastic illustrations. Ben Woodard’s story is short and amusing, but it is also a wonderful tale that teaches children how to deal with embarrassing situations like the bloopy one Bubbles has.