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Hubert Horatio: How to Raise Your Grown-Ups
Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent is back in this hilarious and gloriously illustrated book for ages six and up from the superstar creator of Clarice Bean and Charlie and Lola, Lauren Child.
(This ebook is optimised for Kindle tablets and the Kindle App. It is not suitable for e-Ink kindle devices, such as the PaperWhite. We recommend you download a sample to your device before purchase if in doubt.)
“These stories are about the days when the Bobton-Trents had it cushy, very cushy indeed.”
The Bobton-Trent seniors certainly know how to make the most of their extravagant wealth – socialising, doing things, buying things and generally being more than a little bit … irresponsible…
Luckily for them, their son Hubert Horatio is an exceptionally intelligent, talented and sensible child.
Unluckily for Hubert, this tends to mean that a lot of his spare time is spent steering his rather unruly set of grown-ups out of trouble.
Legendary children’s writer and Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2017-2019 Lauren Child revisits one of her most popular characters in these brand-new, laugh-out-loud stories about the rather unconventional Bobton-Trents! The perfect gift for children aged six and up.
(This ebook is optimised for Kindle tablets and the Kindle App. It is not suitable for e-Ink kindle devices, such as the PaperWhite. We recommend you download a sample to your device before purchase if in doubt.)
“These stories are about the days when the Bobton-Trents had it cushy, very cushy indeed.”
The Bobton-Trent seniors certainly know how to make the most of their extravagant wealth – socialising, doing things, buying things and generally being more than a little bit … irresponsible…
Luckily for them, their son Hubert Horatio is an exceptionally intelligent, talented and sensible child.
Unluckily for Hubert, this tends to mean that a lot of his spare time is spent steering his rather unruly set of grown-ups out of trouble.
Legendary children’s writer and Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2017-2019 Lauren Child revisits one of her most popular characters in these brand-new, laugh-out-loud stories about the rather unconventional Bobton-Trents! The perfect gift for children aged six and up.
- GenresChildrensYoung Adult
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2018
8 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Child
451 books837 followersLauren Child MBE is an English author and illustrator. She was the UK Children's Laureate from 2017-19.
Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 23, 2024
Really enjoying Lauren Child books. This is such a quirky, fun book. It breaks the 'rules' of your typical chapter book. I struggled to understand Laurens style of writing til I read the last few pages of the book.
November 20, 2018
I am a huge Lauren Child fan - her books always feel original in their illustrations, style and design and vocabulary, language and phrasing - and this book is no different, so other fans of hers will undoubtedly love it too, but there's plenty for newcomers to her work as well. Likewise, there is plenty to appeal to both young readers and parents (and everyone in between!)
Hubert's role as the sensible, clever and responsible child in a hopelessly well-meaning but incapable family, the ways he's saved his own life on countless occasions and his ongoing feud with Elliot Snidgecombe in the overgrown zip-wired, trip-wired garden next door will appeal to youngsters, while the complications of family trees, family visits...in fact family in general and Hubert's pragmatic approach to his will generate many a smile from parents.
One of the things I always love about Lauren Child's books is that she doesn't talk down to her readers: nothing is simplified or omitted because of a potential reader's age; the vocabulary selected is always interesting, challenging and very playful.
Likewise, the look of the book is unmistakably hers, with the detailed images and layout serving just as large a role in telling the story as the text. It has her trademark collage style, with numbers, text, print and drawing colliding to provide lively, stylish and varied pages - the images and design alone could hold my interest without reading a word, she is one of my favourite illustrators.
A universally appealing book that is funny, clever and a real visual treat - one for all the family! I look forward to the next instalment!
I was lucky enough to receive my copy from in exchange for this honest review.
Hubert's role as the sensible, clever and responsible child in a hopelessly well-meaning but incapable family, the ways he's saved his own life on countless occasions and his ongoing feud with Elliot Snidgecombe in the overgrown zip-wired, trip-wired garden next door will appeal to youngsters, while the complications of family trees, family visits...in fact family in general and Hubert's pragmatic approach to his will generate many a smile from parents.
One of the things I always love about Lauren Child's books is that she doesn't talk down to her readers: nothing is simplified or omitted because of a potential reader's age; the vocabulary selected is always interesting, challenging and very playful.
Likewise, the look of the book is unmistakably hers, with the detailed images and layout serving just as large a role in telling the story as the text. It has her trademark collage style, with numbers, text, print and drawing colliding to provide lively, stylish and varied pages - the images and design alone could hold my interest without reading a word, she is one of my favourite illustrators.
A universally appealing book that is funny, clever and a real visual treat - one for all the family! I look forward to the next instalment!
I was lucky enough to receive my copy from in exchange for this honest review.
September 12, 2025
Great fun. I love a good mix-of-pictures-and-text book when done with care by clever people, which this was. She sensibly set it during the fun times when the family still had money. I adored the original little book, so no suprise this wasn't quite as good, though still awfully enjoyable. It felt like a series of smaller stories barely connected (which isn't a problem, per se: Encyclopedia Brown was always a series of smaller stories, and I like it fine) but 3/4 of the way through seems to want to be a novella with a plot. I think it would have been slightly more successful as one or the other.
(My subjective rating scale: 5* = amazing, terrific book, one of my all-time favourites, 4* = very good book, 3* = good book, but nothing to particularly rave about, 2* = disappointing book, and 1* = awful, just awful.)
(My subjective rating scale: 5* = amazing, terrific book, one of my all-time favourites, 4* = very good book, 3* = good book, but nothing to particularly rave about, 2* = disappointing book, and 1* = awful, just awful.)
March 25, 2025
Alex FB- I liked it because it was the same illustrator who did Charlie and Lola.
Riley D- I don't know.
Rhiley- It was good to read.
Leo- Well, I didn't hear much about it.
Harry- It was like Stink-bomb and Ketchup face.
Skye- Its plot line was good because it kinda represents real life because children can be into things that they really shouldn't- like they might hear their parents talking about some drama.
Thomas- I do like the book, it was an amazing book, a brilliant book- 5 stars!
Riley D- I don't know.
Rhiley- It was good to read.
Leo- Well, I didn't hear much about it.
Harry- It was like Stink-bomb and Ketchup face.
Skye- Its plot line was good because it kinda represents real life because children can be into things that they really shouldn't- like they might hear their parents talking about some drama.
Thomas- I do like the book, it was an amazing book, a brilliant book- 5 stars!
November 5, 2018
I have read the Hubert Horatio picture book out previously years ago. He does seem rather a special child. What makes this story is the artwork of Lauren Child. A lot of jokes for those older readers to enjoy. There seems to be no particular plot, just different escapades Horatio & his family get up to. The last tale is fun if a bit silly & I did like the dog. Think it may be a bit of a hit or miss book for younger readers.
August 25, 2020
When she was younger, she really enjoyed the Charlie and Lola books. She's just finished listening to Hubert Horatio on audiobook and enjoyed it; hopefully there will be more in the series.
Miss 6 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 6 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
June 7, 2021
This book is quite a good short read with distinct, original pictures and great vocabulary with definitions too. However the book lacks an actual good story and 3/4 of the book is just about Hubert and how he grew up. His relatives are hard to remember (because he has so many) and the actual story (which is only about 1/4 of the book) is spent of all the adults being rather silly trying to figure out what a noise is. I honestly think this book could be much better and I think that this book was actually rather boring. Sorry!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2019
A very engaging book for reluctant readers the balance between illustration and text is exquisite and the illustrations are bold and delicious. If you have a middle grade reader or someone stepping up into longer fiction this is a must. A witty story that is full of fun and child humour - poking fun at adults especially your family is always a winner in my book!
March 16, 2019
I have loved Lauren child for as long as I can remember and she inspired me to be an illustrator. I went to her book tour for this book as I wanted to meet her. When I have kids I will read them all of Laurens books including this little quirky book.
November 8, 2018
Delightful little tale.
January 8, 2019
Quirky, but lacking the charm of other Lauren Child stuff. Ultimately there was just no story!
March 16, 2019
not red yet
December 11, 2019
So far, so hilarious. Two chapters in and this book is just as charming as I'd hope. Off I chortle. Toodle pip!
June 24, 2020
Very sweet
January 28, 2021
boldly humerous
May 27, 2023
no clarice bean but i just adore lauren child's writing style
3.5
3.5
May 29, 2025
Wonderful palette cleanser
August 23, 2023
Hubert Horatio is a very responsible child. He is, in fact, so responsible that his parents quit their job of parenting, and leave it all to Hubert!
Hubert is a very good child, and can almost do anything (other than flower arranging, cake-baking and haiku) But, when a so-called ghost comes to visit the house, can Hubert figure it out?
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as some of Lauren’s other work, but I still loved it. I loved the illustrations in the book, and I thought it was hilarious that Hubert is so much more responsible than his really irresponsible parents. A 4 out of 5 stars for me and I would recommend it to anyone who likes short reads.
Hubert is a very good child, and can almost do anything (other than flower arranging, cake-baking and haiku) But, when a so-called ghost comes to visit the house, can Hubert figure it out?
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as some of Lauren’s other work, but I still loved it. I loved the illustrations in the book, and I thought it was hilarious that Hubert is so much more responsible than his really irresponsible parents. A 4 out of 5 stars for me and I would recommend it to anyone who likes short reads.
September 17, 2020
It was an ok read. Interesting illustration style, good creation of character and funny that the child is far more mature than his parents. However, the structure of the story seemed a bit all over the place and random.
August 2, 2025
Beloved son and all-round good egg, Hubert Horatio, has doting but scatter-brained parents.
Thanks to their immense wealth, they live a life of ease and happiness.
This has not spoilt Hubert in the slightest, but instead has made him lovingly attuned to the many adult foibles that surround him, and the many opportunities he has to grow and enjoy life.
This intricate and detailed book - words and illustrations - is another magical offering from the incredibly talented Lauren Child. Although I have categorized 'picture book' and 'graphic novel', as the author herself says in the afterward, it is not quite those formats, but a lovingly eclectic and creative mix of words and illustrations.
Thanks to their immense wealth, they live a life of ease and happiness.
This has not spoilt Hubert in the slightest, but instead has made him lovingly attuned to the many adult foibles that surround him, and the many opportunities he has to grow and enjoy life.
This intricate and detailed book - words and illustrations - is another magical offering from the incredibly talented Lauren Child. Although I have categorized 'picture book' and 'graphic novel', as the author herself says in the afterward, it is not quite those formats, but a lovingly eclectic and creative mix of words and illustrations.
March 26, 2020
This book was super cute and fun! 100% recommend that you read it with your kids.
A fun story about a quirky family and very responsible child. The book has lots of pictures and little tidbits of extra information.
I had a great time following Hubert Horatio on has crazy adventures.
A fun story about a quirky family and very responsible child. The book has lots of pictures and little tidbits of extra information.
I had a great time following Hubert Horatio on has crazy adventures.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews