Bub: Or the Very Best Thing

by Natalie Babbitt

Wanting the very best thing for their prince son but not knowing what that thing is, a king and queen survey all of their royal subjects for suggestions, but the prince is the only one who knows the answer. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Love

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Natalie Zane Babbitt was an American writer and illustrator of children's books. Her 1975 novel, Tuck Everlasting, was adapted into two feature films and a Broadway musical. She received the Newbery Honor and Christopher Award, and was the U.S. nominee for the biennial international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1982.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vegetables, sleep, sunshine, and toys, studies, and songs are of course important. So are hugs. But what is actually the very best thing for of all to provide for your child? I certainly hope you know! Pictures are indeed lovely and funny and apt... my favorite kind of picture-book art.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something very magical about the illustration in this book. Natalie Babbit has blended a tapestry of medieval landscape with a very modern day twist of faces encompassing people that could have leapt out of your very own photo album.

Like parents of today, the King and Queen are trying desperately to find what the “very best thing” is for their son the Prince. Their arguments have not been able to sort it out, so as the King looks through books for the answer, the Queen and her son journey through the kingdom in their own search.

From vegetables to sleep, to sunshine, to songs, to talking, each person they come across has a different idea of what “the very best thing” could be. Having run out of reputable sources, the royal family comes upon the Cook’s daughter. When she replies, “have you asked him”, they family is shocked. What could this girl know?

“The one and only very best thing is bub”, the parents are at a complete loss. What does that mean, so off they go again trying to find the answer, when in fact, it was there the whole time, they just needed to ask and understand what their young son was telling them.

I loved the Ahhh moment at the end of the book, where the explanation was so simple that I had to sit back and wonder how many times I had missed the obvious when I was raising my children.

Read this book; take your time with the illustrations and the lesson that is being taught.

[Suzanne Fournier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming picture book by Babbitt and though I couldn't find the fact for sure, I believe illustrated by her. The pictures are sweet and very realistic. The story is about a king and a queen deciding what their young son needs most. Though, I'm still a little confused because when I picked up the book I thought Bub was the dog...

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is "the best thing" for His Highness, the Prince?

The King and Queen were at a loss. But asking others for their opinions, were they any the wiser?

Find out, Goodreaders.

Charming pictures, charming concept. Sure, I'll give this book FIVE STARS.

[Bill Hohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice said, "I like it because I bub too."

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful in its rhythm and simplicity. The historical setting makes it timeless.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book reminds us that everyone feels that certain things are the number 1 most important thing in their life - depending on their experience. And that's how it should be.

[Beth Bauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet and lovely! And the illustrations are just the best! :D

[Rachel Manak · Rating 4 out of 5]

"BUB or the Very Best Thing" is orientated in a vertical layout. The end pages are a solid color, just a light yellow and the title page is very simple. The illustrations are more realistic than cartoon. The main characters are all white, a father, a mother and a young son. On one side of the pages, there is the text with a small illustration on the top of the text showing different characters playing with the dog. The other side of the page is just an illustration showing what is going on in the text on the corresponding page. There is a solid white border around all of the illustrations and pages. The text is simple, nothing too fancy.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a really marvelous marriage of fairy tale and illustration. It isn't even really a fairy tale, just the story of a couple with their son, and a little quest. I have to say, I adore the dog, and there are some interesting things he does throughout the book. Very much recommended, and just a lot of fun.

[Andria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book about a royal family. The king and queen argue about what the best thing is for their son, the prince. They find out that all they can do is love the prince. Nice way to teach about unconditional love.

[Wendy Holliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read when my babies were really babies. Loved it..

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 3 out of 5]

The King and Queen go on a quest to find out what the best thing is for the Prince.

It was a cute book. I liked the illustrations.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites as a child, it was so hard to find a copy for Madison but when I did find a used library copy online it ended up being signed! So glad to be able to share this with my daughter.

[Michaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable. I loved every moment of this and the illustrations are adorable.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bub is love.