Maximum rhythm and maximum rhyme spin this story of sticky peril for an eclectic group of animals forced to learn the value of teamwork. “Bubble gum, / bubble gum, / Chewy-gooey bubble gum, / Icky-sticky bubble gum / Melting in the road. / Along comes a toad . . . /A fine, fat toad, / A fine, fat, wild / —SPLAT!— / wart-backed toad.” The gummy toad is joined in the pink slurry mess by a rude shrew, a wide white goose, an old crow, and a bumblebee. An on-coming truck then threatens the fighting fivesome! What do they do? They chew and chew! And their joint bubble floats them to safety. Wheeler has written another silly winner that toddlers will beg for again and again at storytime. Huliska-Beith’s illustrations in acrylic, cloth, and paper are bright and wacky in this sweet collaboration. (Picture book. 2-6)
