It’s raining.
There’s nothing to do.
Ruben is bored.
But things start looking up when his grandmother gives hi... read full description
reviews
Aug 02, 2010
Erin
rated it: 
I picked this one up because I thought the pictures looked great, and they do, but unfortunately I've seen them before in Ian Falconer's Olivia. While they are certainly not copied, the expressive and limited line drawings accented with washes of red and pink have already been done. Unfortunately this execution of that idea is fun but when compared with the first book, are not as good. Here Cordell needs more lines to describe his scenes and characters as well as an extra tint, with the pigs
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Jan 27, 2010
Cassie
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As a child, I had a wonderful grandma who my brothers and I affectionately referred to as Grandma Chewing Gum. Whenever we saw Grandma Chewing Gum, we were certain to get a piece of Wrigley's Spearmint gum which she kept safe in her refrigerator (I'm not sure the reason behind that). Little did I realize then that it was probably a ploy to help keep us quiet. It worked - we loved to chew that gum.
So is the case for Ruben Figgs. It's raining and he's bored, so what does his grand More...
So is the case for Ruben Figgs. It's raining and he's bored, so what does his grand More...
May 05, 2010
J-Lynn
rated it: 
A bored little piggy who is stuck inside because of rain, plays with his brother. After he is too loud and distracting, grandma gives the piglets gum. The gum turns into several messy disasters. But, the relationship between the brothers is the most interesting part in the book. The little brother seems innocent, but he is quite the little mischevious piggy.
The illustrations are ink and water color. They are simple and only take up a small portion of each large white page. The More...
The illustrations are ink and water color. They are simple and only take up a small portion of each large white page. The More...
Sep 27, 2011
Yvonne
rated it: 
Yes, this is a children's book and I could read it over and over and over. You know those kids' book that you have read 100 times even though you hated it from the first but you grit your teeth and read it AGAIN because the kid loves it so? Well, this book is not one of those. Seriously, it is exceedingly clever and original. I love every page. I can just think about it and get a good chuckle! Yep, this one stays on the shelf for the long haul!
Jan 14, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
So funny! I wish the pictures were a bit bigger so that it would be a good one to read aloud.
One rainy day Reuben is bored. His mom suggests that he plays with his little brother Julius. When Reuben gets in trouble for making a mess and being too noisy Granny offers the boys some gum. Reuben knows the rules of gum chewing. Do not swallow, blow bubbles, or play with it. As you can imagine bad things happen
One rainy day Reuben is bored. His mom suggests that he plays with his little brother Julius. When Reuben gets in trouble for making a mess and being too noisy Granny offers the boys some gum. Reuben knows the rules of gum chewing. Do not swallow, blow bubbles, or play with it. As you can imagine bad things happen
Aug 07, 2010
Heidi
rated it:
This definitely made me smile. The humor is all over the illustrations. Unfortunately, those illustrations are too small or too tiny in detail for this to work in a storytime setting. But a lap-read would be perfect--especially if you include various sounds with what you're seeing.
Sep 01, 2009
Katrina
rated it:
Playing indoors with his little brother on a rainy day, a rambunctious young pig causes a ruckus and then breaks his mother's three chewing gum rules.
This book has some great sound effects and actions that could be done in a storytime setting. Used in Alphatbet G (for gum)-Storytime.
This book has some great sound effects and actions that could be done in a storytime setting. Used in Alphatbet G (for gum)-Storytime.
Jan 28, 2011
Misty
rated it:
My 4 year old boy loves books where mischief is involved and this one delivers in that department. It's a fun read, particularly if you do the sounds effects and come up with some simple actions to go along with story. Lots to laugh about here.
Jan 14, 2010
8feetahead
rated it:
My 4 years old boy loves books where mischief is involved and this one delivers in that department. It's a fun read, particularly if you do the sounds effects and come up with some simple actions to go along with story. Lots to laugh about here.
Oct 12, 2009
Valerie
rated it: 
While it has interesting and fun sound effects associated with the theme of bubble gum, the story falls flat as a storytime read because of the extremely small illustrations. What's with all the white space? I only see this as a one-on-one lapread
Oct 16, 2009
Youth Services
rated it:
This is a funny story about Ruben, a little pig who is terribly tempted by bubble gum. One rainy Saturday, his Granny lets him have piece after piece, and of course, Ruben breaks all of the rules. A funny story about the trouble with gum!
Call Number: E COR
Call Number: E COR
Sep 25, 2010
Kim
rated it:
Ruben is bored till his grandmother gives him gum. He is determined to show his little brother, Julius, how big pigs chew gum by breaking all his mom's rules. Love the pictures in this story, just wish they were a little bigger.
Sep 21, 2009
Susan
rated it:
When a book makes me laugh out loud, it's a five star-er. I’ve had many gum mishaps (well, my kids mostly) which may be why this book is such a hit with me. AND Cordell’s illustrations remind me of William Steig, my favorite.
Oct 31, 2010
Haylee
rated it:
Funny story. I enjoyed the fonts and illustrations and their unique layout and muted colors. Not a good book for a group read as some of the pictures are quite tiny, but great for one-on-one storytime.
Oct 28, 2009
Natalie
rated it:
What to do when your little piggies won't be quiet, give them bubble gum to hush them up. They couldn't possibly make trouble with a piece of gum could they?
I like the drawings, the white space adds to the humor.
I like the drawings, the white space adds to the humor.
Sep 10, 2011
Yellowpagesgirl
rated it:
good bedtime book for a three year old. my girlkid enjoys chewing along with reuben and his little brother, julius, making the sounds and chewing left, right, slo-mo and super fast. fun!
Dec 10, 2009
Maureen
rated it:
Like someone else said any book that makes me laugh outloud gets 5 stars. My son loved it and asked to read it several times over. That doesn't happen too often, so this book is a winner.
Dec 15, 2009
Meghan
rated it:
I loved the illustrations and sly humor, but the responsible adult in me wonders if every kid who reads this book will end up stealing gum out of a purse and making a huge mess...
Oct 10, 2009
The Library Lady
rated it:
What's with the teeny tiny illustrations and the huge white spaces?
Perhaps Cordell and Ian Falconer should get together and draw pig cartoons for the New Yorker instead.
Perhaps Cordell and Ian Falconer should get together and draw pig cartoons for the New Yorker instead.
Sep 16, 2009
Amy
rated it:
It's raining and Ruben needs something to do. That's where the gum comes in handy but the rules his mother gives him are a little too hard to follow and trouble ensues.
Aug 08, 2010
Aubrey
rated it:
Madi loves reading this book! It is about two little pigs who get in trouble with chewing gum! It is easy to read this book and make the characters come to life.
Mar 22, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
My three year old requests this book again and again...and always ends up in giggles. I couldn't give it five stars, though, because the little pigs are so naughty! :)
Apr 14, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
The other grownup in this house thinks this is a rip-off of Olivia, but I don't agree. Either way, the girls enjoyed it and so did I.
Oct 05, 2011
Kate Hastings
rated it:
Grades Pre-K to 4. Very funny book about two "boys" and their love of bubble gum, which inevitably ends up making a huge mess because they cannot keep it in their mouth. Loved it!
Jul 22, 2010
Kate
rated it:
Lots of fun from a fellow SCBWI-Illinois writer! Great illustrations and amusing storyline!
Jan 15, 2010
Allison
rated it:
Ruben (what a terrible name for a pig, btw...) breaks all the rules when it comes to gum.
Aug 03, 2011
Amberly
rated it:
This one made me chuckle. It is about two little pigs who love gum and get into all kinds of trouble with their gum.
Jun 10, 2010
the Reeds
rated it:
great fun this book. Lots of interactive word/noises to play along with.
