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Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile

Smiling is contagious in this adorably funny children's picture book. When his best friend breaks his leg, Bubba needs to find a way to cheer him up. He soon discovers that every time he smiles, Ryan smiles too. Bubba goes to hilarious lengths trying to lift his heavy lips into a smile for Ryan. In the end, will Bubba find out he had the ability to INSIDE himself all along?

28 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2013

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About the author

Bree Clausen

1 book12 followers
Bree Clausen is a self-published author from San Diego, California. She has a Master's degree in fine art from Pratt Institute, NY, and teaches preschool. Most importantly, she is the biggest bulldog fan you could meet.

Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile is her first book, which was over 5 years in the making. Bubba was her baby and accompanied her from San Diego to grad school in New York and back. He is now in doggy heaven, but it has been Bree's dream to have his memory live on. He touched her life more that she can ever express and this story is based on his true personality.

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5 stars
111 (45%)
4 stars
59 (24%)
3 stars
46 (18%)
2 stars
16 (6%)
1 star
11 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
274 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2020
Super funny and cute

My three kids (ages 9, 7 &6) thought this book was hysterical! They laughed most of the way through. They desperately want a dog, so we read all the doggie books (cause we aren't getting a dog!). This was super cute and made my kids laugh, so I agree with their 5 star review!
10 reviews
December 6, 2017
Wonderful book

I can't even count the number of times I have read this book to my daughter we love it we have several favorite parts
Profile Image for Koreen.
444 reviews
November 26, 2020
Great Book. Bubba the Bulldog not only teaches but has a good humorous side. The dog farts. lol
Boys and girls will love this book. At least all of my grandkids did.
Profile Image for Nush.
128 reviews11 followers
December 27, 2020
Cute

This is an adorable story about a little bulldog pup who just wants to make his owner smile so is willing to try anything to achieve this.
Profile Image for Storywraps.
1,968 reviews39 followers
January 9, 2016
This is the sweetest book ever. Bubba loves his master Ryan so much and he delights in fact that Ryan is happy, smiling constantly, and loves life. Bubba so much wants to return that smile and happiness back to his beloved owner but try as he may his lips won't curl up into a smile. You see they are heavy and floppy and just droop down. What is a poor little bulldog to do to change that sad, saggy face into one that shines and beams with sheer delight? He has no clue how to fix his problem and it bothers him so.

Bubba starts playing with a roll of sticky tape and it starts to unroll....wrapping him up like a mummy. Then a strange thing takes place. Accidentally his lips get bound back and taped into a ..... smile! Look Ryan I'm smiling back at you. Hurray for tape. But alas Ryan must remove the tape and clean poor little Bubba up because he can't leave him like that can he?

Next Bubba discovers if he stands in the direct flow of the pulsating fan his lips fly way back in the breeze and guess what? He looks like he is smiling big. But those things give only temporary relief from his agony of not being able to smile and soon he is back looking forlorn.

Is there a solution to his problem? Will Bubba find a cure for his melancholy, mournful looking face? The solution he finds will ignite in you a giggle and put a smile on your face.

"Ryan laughed and smiled the biggest smile that Bubba had ever seen."

He picks up Bubba to give him a huge hug and then something happens making Ryan burst out laughing and Bubba to smile contentedly....ahhhhhhhhh! Bubba can smile after all.
Profile Image for mad mags.
1,311 reviews91 followers
April 10, 2014
Bubba the bulldog just wants to smile for his human Ryan. Initially, it’s the promise of a much-coveted treat that drives his desire; but when Ryan breaks a leg in a skateboarding accident (Note to self: casts make for terrible chew toys.), Bubba’s quest takes on a new meaning: he hopes that a smile on his face will put one on Ryan’s. He searches corners far and wide for a solution, even going so far as to confront the much-dreaded broom monster in his travels.

Spoiler alert: Bubba blinks first. But he manages to hold his urine (just barely!), so there’s that. Minor victories.

Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile is an adorable book about an adorable (real-life) dog. Bubba will win over readers young and old with his snaggle teeth, ridiculous wrinkles, genetically frowny face, and flatulent behind. (Bulldogs, man.) Inspired by the author’s own dog friend, it left me wishing that I was more artistic, so I could create a similarly awesome tribute to my own dearly departed canine kids. (Kelly + Kaylee 5ever!)

One caveat: since this book is clearly aimed at younger readers, I hope parents and guardians will follow up with a discussion of proper dog care; for example, don’t wrap your dog friend in tape; appliances aren’t toys; and never drag a dog along by her leash. (Poor Bubba looks like he’s being strangled on the last page!)

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1AFPVQE...
Profile Image for Grampy.
869 reviews48 followers
April 25, 2014
“Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile” by Bree Clausen is a cute story about… wait for it… Bubba the Bulldog! In this amusing tale, Bubba is a dog who is never happier than when he sees his boy, Ryan, smile at him.

One day Ryan came home with his foot in a cast. In an attempt to help Ryan smile more while he was laid up, Bubba decided to learn how to smile. But Bubba’s lips were too big and too heavy to stay in a smile position. In fact, only with a little outside help was he ever able to smile at all. He was stuck with a permanent frown face!

However, whether or not Bubba ever learned how to smile, Ryan loved him just the same. In the end it really didn’t matter whether or not Bubba could smile, because Ryan was happy, and if Ryan was happy, Bubba was happy.

This is a clever little story about a real dog named Bubba, to whom Bree Clausen dedicated the book. He was her inspiration for this story, and he’s probably in doggie heaven right now, smiling at the knowledge that he has a book dedicated to him!

The story is written for a wide age range of children, from the “read me a bedtime story” set, to older siblings who will enjoy reading the story to their own younger siblings. The illustrations are very nicely done, and certainly help advance the story. This is an all-around good storybook, that kids will enjoy and parents will appreciate.
Profile Image for Barbara Ann.
Author 22 books188 followers
April 30, 2014
Bubba the bulldog is dismayed because his owner, a little boy named Ryan, wants him to smile. Bubba tries so hard to please, but being a bulldog, he just can't seem to smile. Bubba is especially disconcerted when Ryan comes home with a broken leg and needs cheering up. So Bubba goes to great lengths getting himself involved in a few mishaps that will have readers smiling; he even braves entry into the dreaded broom closet in an effort to create a smile. In the end, Bubba will find just what he needs under the bed. How does he get that smile?....young children will find the answer especially funny. Recommended for children age six and under..
2 reviews
April 26, 2014
This book was about a bulldog who could not smile he tried and tried but only wrinkles.but one day he found some treasure it was denchers he put it in his mouth and forever more he smiles everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book was about a bulldog who could not smile he tried and tried but only wrinkles.but one day he found some treasure it was denchers he put it in his mouth and forever more he smiles everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love this book it help me dogs and bulldog I'm afraid of a lot of dogs but not anymore the end
Profile Image for John.
Author 11 books40 followers
April 19, 2016
Poor Bubba. All he wants to do is make his owner happy but he can't quite get a smile done. This story was a timely one for me as I just had a discussion with my wife about the subject of our new dog, a boxer, always looking depressed.

The story itself is a humor filled trip through the thoughts of Bubba as he figures a few ways to manipulate a smile and sees his owner's reaction. The illustrations are a joy to look at and add to the humor of the story.

A fun read for any kid or adult.
Profile Image for Jessica  Smith.
2 reviews
January 3, 2014
Great children's book

I gave this book 5 stars. This story shows how much Bubba the bulldog loves his best friend Ryan. He is willing to get himself into sticky situations just to make Ryan happy. You will definitely laugh throughout this book. The illustrations and story line are great.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,375 reviews217 followers
April 30, 2014
Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile
Ryan tries to get his dog to smile but to no avail. After he breaks his leg he just lies around in bed and Bubba tries to think of ways to make his face into a smile.
He tries many silly things and it's amazing what does work. He does get Ryan to smile and that makes him smile-wait'll you see how it is done.
Profile Image for Erin.
311 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2014
I thought this was a really cute read. :) The art style took a little getting used to, but the story was pretty easy to get into. I think anyone who has a pet can relate to how they try to cheer up their owners and make their favorite people happy, and I think sharing this story with a child, especially if the family has pets, would be a great way to share that feeling.
1 review1 follower
January 12, 2014
This book is adorable and my 5-year-old nephew loves it. He's obsessed with puppies and it's the perfect book for him. He really sympathizes with Bubba and makes him feel like he can try harder too. The illustrations are super cute and the story has a great ending. Love it!
Profile Image for Jessica  Smith.
2 reviews
March 7, 2014
I gave this book 5 stars. This story shows how much Bubba the bulldog loves his best friend Ryan. He is willing to get himself into sticky situations just to make Ryan happy. You will definitely laugh throughout this book. The illustrations and story line are great.
Profile Image for Sherry.
121 reviews6 followers
March 7, 2014
What a cute book. And I love the illustrations. You child will get a kick out of as my grandkids did. I'll be passing this along to a friend who has 2 bulldogs. She'll enjoy reading it to her kids. Thanks for allowing me to win this through Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
1 review
June 6, 2014
Happy

I was not expecting this to be so short but it was enjoyable. it brought back memories of all my animals I no longer have.I will always cherish this book. I know it is a kids book but I guess I am a kid at heart.keep these coming.
Profile Image for Sandra Stiles.
Author 1 book83 followers
July 23, 2014
Bubba wanted to make Rya happy. He wanted to smile. Since he was a bulldog his lips were so heavy he couldn’t make it happen. After Ryan broke his leg it became even more important for him to make Ryan smile. Read this book to discover what lengths this dog will go to just to smile for his owner.
Profile Image for Rebecca Conn.
146 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2016
Great book for kids

This is a great book for children learn in to read. It about the relationship between a boy and his dog. I love my dog and this reminded me that my dog loves me too.
My nephew (who is two) enjoys when I read this and he laughed at the dog with a smile.
Profile Image for Hoai T Nguyen.
2 reviews
April 24, 2014
Love the story

Super super cute and funny dog. Kids definitely love this story. I wish I could had a dog this cute :)
Profile Image for Cortney Sherwood.
37 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2014
Cute

Cute

very cute book my two and half year old son really like bubba the bulldog! he wants me to read it over and over again!
Profile Image for Valarie Nolte.
2 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2014
This was the best book ever

I love it ........... I would recommend it to every one who likes kids books so plet this pease just get this book
90 reviews3 followers
May 27, 2014
Bubba the Bulldog

Bubba the Bulldog

my grandson loves this story, he loves his dog too. Being a young boy he thinks the bodily function joke was very funny.
Profile Image for Heather.
88 reviews16 followers
March 27, 2015
Bree Clausen's Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile is one of the most adorable books I've ever read! I couldn't help but smile all the way through it. The illustrations are charmingly beautiful.
Profile Image for Ami Henn.
10 reviews
December 9, 2015
Made my son and I laugh.

Great book. Especially if you have a child who likes animals. Lots of laughs and giggles. And silliness. Definitely recommend :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews