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Hubble Bubble #C1
The Great Granny Cake Contest!
Can you keep a secret? Pandora s granny is a witch! She causes magical mayhem wherever she goes. In these stories, she brings comic chaos to a televised baking competition, delightful disaster to a school fair, and tons of trouble to a stately home! But she makes everything right in the end, with a bit of help from Pandora. Everyone loves Granny, especially her long-suffering granddaughter!
128 pages, Hardcover
Published June 13, 2017
About the author
Tracey Corderoy
129 books70 followersTracey is the author of Hubble Bubble, Granny Trouble. She was born and grew up in industrial South Wales and now lives in a hidden valley in Gloucestershire with her husband, two children and an ever-increasing menagerie of devilishly-cute-but-sometimes-rather-naughty pets.
A trained teacher, Tracey has always had a passion for wonderful literature and began writing for children in 2006. Her books for other publishers include The Grunt and The Grouch series about two riotous trolls, and numerous picture books including “The Little White Owl.
Tracey’s head is happily crammed with countless ideas and stories and she’s loving the adventures that her characters insist they share…
from - http://nosycrow.com/authors-etc/trace...
A trained teacher, Tracey has always had a passion for wonderful literature and began writing for children in 2006. Her books for other publishers include The Grunt and The Grouch series about two riotous trolls, and numerous picture books including “The Little White Owl.
Tracey’s head is happily crammed with countless ideas and stories and she’s loving the adventures that her characters insist they share…
from - http://nosycrow.com/authors-etc/trace...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 15, 2025
Very cute, wholesome witchy book. Three stories in one. If you have a child in your life who enjoys witches and magic, this is a fun read.
November 18, 2013
This is a charming and quite lovely collection of short stories by Corderoy, and illustrated by Joe Berger. Each story is about 40 pages, thickly illustrated, and with short chapters which sing to be read aloud at a storytime or as a bedtime read. I really like that - it's clever, considerate writing and reminded me a lot of Alex T Smith's impeccable Claude books or Shirley Hughes & Clara Vulliamy's equally impeccable Dixie O'Day books.
Pandora's granny is (whisper it) a witch. She's adorable; very much a good witch, all round and mischevious and more than a little bit naughty. Each story sees her and Pandora get into trouble!
There's some really nice touches throughout this - the repeated instruction to (whisper it) every time the W word is mentioned is one that caught my eye (told you this would be good for reading out loud) and I also had a lot of love for Pandora herself. She's very much an every girl sort of character but Berger's simple and vivid illustrations give her a unique identity on the page.
This is the first of a series and as mentioned before, reminded me a lot of Huges & Vulliamy and Alex T Smith. It also reminded me of Susie Day's work, that sort of marshmallow by the fire warmth of family and fun. There's also a kind of Famous Five-esque vibe of 'we'll sort it out and have fun in the process'. Which is lovely. This book is lovely. It's very lovely. It makes me want to make fairycakes and have crumpets.
Pandora's granny is (whisper it) a witch. She's adorable; very much a good witch, all round and mischevious and more than a little bit naughty. Each story sees her and Pandora get into trouble!
There's some really nice touches throughout this - the repeated instruction to (whisper it) every time the W word is mentioned is one that caught my eye (told you this would be good for reading out loud) and I also had a lot of love for Pandora herself. She's very much an every girl sort of character but Berger's simple and vivid illustrations give her a unique identity on the page.
This is the first of a series and as mentioned before, reminded me a lot of Huges & Vulliamy and Alex T Smith. It also reminded me of Susie Day's work, that sort of marshmallow by the fire warmth of family and fun. There's also a kind of Famous Five-esque vibe of 'we'll sort it out and have fun in the process'. Which is lovely. This book is lovely. It's very lovely. It makes me want to make fairycakes and have crumpets.
July 20, 2017
What do you do when your Granny is a witch and won’t stop using her magic? Sometimes you just have to follow her around and clean up her messes! Hubble Bubble: The Great Granny Contest is a humorous collection of three stories about Pandora and her witchy Granny, Araminta Violet Crow.
The Great Granny Contest begins with a family trip to Creakington Hall, a “stately home” full of dungeons and treasures. Pandora, Granny, and Pandora’s parents visit Creakington Hall for an afternoon tour of the old house.
During the tour, Pandora’s parents read every information card. Granny is quickly bored, and begins making magic to keep herself interested. Soon, portraits are winking at guests, mannequins start a food fight, and a suit of armor is moving around the room. Pandora has to get everything back to normal, make sure people don’t suspect Granny of causing the trouble, and stop Granny from creating any more chaos!
The other two stories in the book are equally amusing. In one, Granny and Pandora compete in the Great Granny Cake Contest, and the rules expressly prohibit using magic. But Pandora quickly discovers (on live TV) that Granny is not much of a baker when she can’t use magic to help her! In the last story, Granny helps Pandora and her school gardening club when the garden starts looking a little wilted. The garden doesn’t exactly look like it should when Granny is done with it!
The Great Granny Contest is a chapter book by the creators of the Hubble Bubble picture books: author Tracey Corderoy and illustrator Joe Berger. Ms. Corderoy and Mr. Berger have joined together to publish five chapter books and three picture books starring Pandora and Granny.
The Great Granny Contest is written in language that is easy for young readers to read. The stories are fun, the pacing is quick and keeps kids entertained, and the characters are lovable.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. Thank-you to Ms. Corderoy, Mr. Berger, and Candlewick Press for giving me this introduction to Pandora and Granny and the Hubble Bubble series!
The Great Granny Contest begins with a family trip to Creakington Hall, a “stately home” full of dungeons and treasures. Pandora, Granny, and Pandora’s parents visit Creakington Hall for an afternoon tour of the old house.
During the tour, Pandora’s parents read every information card. Granny is quickly bored, and begins making magic to keep herself interested. Soon, portraits are winking at guests, mannequins start a food fight, and a suit of armor is moving around the room. Pandora has to get everything back to normal, make sure people don’t suspect Granny of causing the trouble, and stop Granny from creating any more chaos!
The other two stories in the book are equally amusing. In one, Granny and Pandora compete in the Great Granny Cake Contest, and the rules expressly prohibit using magic. But Pandora quickly discovers (on live TV) that Granny is not much of a baker when she can’t use magic to help her! In the last story, Granny helps Pandora and her school gardening club when the garden starts looking a little wilted. The garden doesn’t exactly look like it should when Granny is done with it!
The Great Granny Contest is a chapter book by the creators of the Hubble Bubble picture books: author Tracey Corderoy and illustrator Joe Berger. Ms. Corderoy and Mr. Berger have joined together to publish five chapter books and three picture books starring Pandora and Granny.
The Great Granny Contest is written in language that is easy for young readers to read. The stories are fun, the pacing is quick and keeps kids entertained, and the characters are lovable.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. Thank-you to Ms. Corderoy, Mr. Berger, and Candlewick Press for giving me this introduction to Pandora and Granny and the Hubble Bubble series!
March 7, 2017
What do you do when your grandmother is a witch? Well, for Pandora, things are a little more complicated than Granny being a witch...she's a witch that causes a lot of trouble, too. In this early chapter book, Granny manages to make suits of armor come alive during a museum tour, whips up magical desserts in a baking contest, and grow magical carrots at Pandora's school!
Full of humor and magically witchy illustrations, The Great Granny Cake Contest!: Hubble Bubble is a fun introduction to fantasy for young readers.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Candlewick Press, and Tracey Corderoy for this ARC.
Full of humor and magically witchy illustrations, The Great Granny Cake Contest!: Hubble Bubble is a fun introduction to fantasy for young readers.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Candlewick Press, and Tracey Corderoy for this ARC.
May 14, 2017
How fun to have a grandma who is a wacky witch! The story was funny and sweet, with adorable characters, and cutely illustrated. I'd like to read more on this series.
I received this copy via LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review.
I received this copy via LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2017
Three delightful stories for early readers as Pandora and her granny (a witch) have lots of fun with magic as well as trying to stay away from the magic. There is a scene that reminds me of the Great British Baking Show, but it's even more fun with a little magic added in.
February 13, 2019
A fun, lower-level read for kids! Granny can’t stay out of trouble with her magic. She enters a baking contest, but magic isn’t allowed. When granny starts to lose she maybe breaks the rules. Read to find out what happens.
February 24, 2019
Magic and spooky stuff and a silly grandma are always welcome in our household. At times, I think these stories don’t flow quite as smoothly as I’d like when reading aloud, but they are always enjoyed (and the illustrations are fun too).
June 2, 2023
So I was not familiar with the original board books.
But this was enjoyable. A bit formulaic, but given the age group that is not surprising.
I don't understand why Pandora was so anti-Witch, or Pandora's mom for that matter. But all in all it was fun.
My 6 year old enjoyed it.
But this was enjoyable. A bit formulaic, but given the age group that is not surprising.
I don't understand why Pandora was so anti-Witch, or Pandora's mom for that matter. But all in all it was fun.
My 6 year old enjoyed it.
August 24, 2025
4.5 stars
Loved this little book. 3 short stories that can easy be read at bedtime for younger kids easy enough for avid young readers to read by themselves.
Lovely relationship of a young girl with her cheeky witchy grandmother.
Loved this little book. 3 short stories that can easy be read at bedtime for younger kids easy enough for avid young readers to read by themselves.
Lovely relationship of a young girl with her cheeky witchy grandmother.
September 29, 2017
Pretty funny tales! I love these funny and magical stories and think kids 3rd grade to 5th grade will, too!
February 18, 2021
Very cute series, with whimsical illustrations.
July 14, 2021
Read aloud to my 8 year old who loves these gently humorous books with their bright illustrations.
September 5, 2021
Great for children. It is comedic and playful which is great for reading to a class. Very easy read but engaging
August 6, 2022
Jedna z mnohých pokusov o nejakú čarodejnickú sériu, ktorej však chýba úplne všetko - nápad, zaujímavé postavy či aspoň originálny dej.
August 25, 2020
I found this book completely by accident in a charity shop and thought I would give it a go. I love witches and I love the chaos that can come out of magic and low and behold I defiantly got a book with all that and more for it has three stories to boot. So ended up rushing out and buying all the rest of the books in the series. A lighthearted set of stories that employ magic in the best ways possible and some fun competitions.
March 8, 2017
I received this book as part of a Goodreads First Read Giveaway.
The book was cute and the illustrations were fun. I'm a little confused about the target age though. The back of the book says ages 6 - 9. I felt like there were many words that a child that age would not know and would make it difficult for them to understand. But the plot was definitely geared towards that younger age group.
All in all, a cute story that I could definitely see an upper-elementary student enjoying.
The book was cute and the illustrations were fun. I'm a little confused about the target age though. The back of the book says ages 6 - 9. I felt like there were many words that a child that age would not know and would make it difficult for them to understand. But the plot was definitely geared towards that younger age group.
All in all, a cute story that I could definitely see an upper-elementary student enjoying.
June 8, 2017
4 for 3.5 at most. Bumped it up because I was so impressed by the illustrations. The compositions are superb, and the ARC I got only has value (grayscale, no color); that shows how good the values are to be able to pull it off. I looked at Amazon's preview and saw that the final version brought in a color (pink), but seriously, without it was already pretty amazing.
Review WIP
A digitized ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review WIP
A digitized ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
June 12, 2017Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 28, 2017
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 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.
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 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.
April 10, 2017
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
It is titled, "The Great Granny Cake Contest", but actually includes 3 short 'chapter' books. The illustrations were really cute too. =0)
The stories were short and silly and exactly the kind of thing an aspiring bibliophile would enjoy.
It is titled, "The Great Granny Cake Contest", but actually includes 3 short 'chapter' books. The illustrations were really cute too. =0)
The stories were short and silly and exactly the kind of thing an aspiring bibliophile would enjoy.
April 27, 2017
This is a great kids book I enjoyed reading it to my 4yr old and 7yr old it held there attention and they really thought it was funny!
April 30, 2017
High Spirited and Silly High Jinks
This book has great style, pacing and energy, and it seems like it would be very appealing to early independent readers.
The premise is simple, but engaging. Granny is a witch and a bit of a whimsical loose cannon with her magic and her love of silly things. Her granddaughter Pandora is the more sober of the two, (but still a spunky kid), and the two of them lark about having adventures. The book is really a collection of three short stories that run about 40 pages each. We get to cause trouble at a fancy manor house museum, create chaos on a cooking show, and wreak havoc with some giant carrots at the school garden show. All ends well and no harm done.
The book's text and illustrations work marvelously well together. The drawings are cheerful and expressive, (the book is heavily illustrated), and the text is placed nicely in and about the drawings, which is great for aiding a new reader trying to follow the action. Sometimes drawings in books like this can be too spare or abstract and don't help carry the story, but here we have crisp and clear line work that enhances enjoyment and understanding.
So, a clever and entertaining set of tales, and a nice find for an early reader. (Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This book has great style, pacing and energy, and it seems like it would be very appealing to early independent readers.
The premise is simple, but engaging. Granny is a witch and a bit of a whimsical loose cannon with her magic and her love of silly things. Her granddaughter Pandora is the more sober of the two, (but still a spunky kid), and the two of them lark about having adventures. The book is really a collection of three short stories that run about 40 pages each. We get to cause trouble at a fancy manor house museum, create chaos on a cooking show, and wreak havoc with some giant carrots at the school garden show. All ends well and no harm done.
The book's text and illustrations work marvelously well together. The drawings are cheerful and expressive, (the book is heavily illustrated), and the text is placed nicely in and about the drawings, which is great for aiding a new reader trying to follow the action. Sometimes drawings in books like this can be too spare or abstract and don't help carry the story, but here we have crisp and clear line work that enhances enjoyment and understanding.
So, a clever and entertaining set of tales, and a nice find for an early reader. (Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews