BUBBLE, BUBBLE, TOIL AND TROUBLE

by Shirley Lueth ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 1984

A klutzy Mom-and-kids laff-riot overkill. Mom is a general sloven, and over-plump: ""Three weeks and six hours of [aerobic] classes later I had definitely lost inches, but I could no longer walk up the stairs."" She is also incompetent, particularly in gender-ordained pursuits. Assigned as photographer at a school football game (""Pigskins and Petticoats""), she's tackled in mid-click; dragged on a fishing expedition, she whaps husband Lee with bait and sinker. But housewifely sewing is not her bag either: ""It took me three weeks and four days to finish my 'make it tonight--wear it tomorrow' dress."" (The finished garment is a ""brown cloth prune."") Life with seven kids produces the usual donnybrooks: the one-bathroom morning crush; the Mother's Day breakfast mess-up; the family non-vacation; the teacher's embarrassing visit. There are a few unusual household pastimes--including a dog party honoring the family's own ""Augie-Doggie"" (attended by a neighboring cat with predictable results); and a Hallowe'en party at which husband Lee performs as a ""Dead Head"" (causing a near-fainting spell by one of the guests). Mainly: a jerrybuilt clutter of bedlam happenings along all-too-familiar lines.

Pub Date: April 15, 1984

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1984

Categories: NONFICTION