Appelt, Kathi: Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives.

Appelt, Kathi BUBBA AND BEAU MEET THE RELATIVES. Il. Arthur Howard. ISBN 0-15-216630-0. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, 2004. 30pp. $16.00. Bubba and Beau curiously watch Mama Pearl and Big Bubba feverishly clean their house and prepare for visiting relatives. Appelt's vibrant language rolls off the tongue and paints a picture that matches Howard's hilarious watercolors, which capture the uniqueness of the characters brilliantly. To get away from the frenzy, Bubba and Beau crawl off to the only place that matters--the mud hole. They are safe for only a short time, however, for they, too, must be cleaned up for the relatives. After the hugs and tours, Bubba and Beau crawl off with cousin Arlene and Bitsy to play in the squishy mud. They know what really matters! Ages 2-7. Reviewed by Isabel Killoran, York University, Toronto, ON