BUBBLEMANIA

As complete a compendium of information about bubble gum as anyone is ever likely to want. Wardlaw (Punia and the King of Sharks, 1997, etc.) includes a thorough history of chewing gum in general and of bubble gum in particular, a tour of a factory, interviews with champion bubble-blowers, industry information, quotes from literature, trivia, instructions for blowing bubbles and for cleaning up gum messes, lots of black-and-white photographs, and even a recipe. Even for those who don't chew, the book has a certain fascination, due in large part to sprightly writing, but also to the surprising complexity of what only appears to be a simple subject. The historical matter jumps around a bit, and there is a needless chapter devoted to rules for gum chewing as written by members of a sixth-grade class. Otherwise, this is a lively and enjoyable treatise on a subject close to most kids' hearts. (Nonfiction. 8-12)