Trouble Gum

A rainy day forces two pig brothers to stay indoors, where their mother tries to keep them entertained with activities. The older brother Ruben receives gum from his grandmother, while younger brother Julius wants some too. The brothers navigate the rules and restrictions around gum-chewing that their mother sets for them. Their indoor adventures involve typical sibling dynamics as they deal with sharing, following rules, and finding ways to have fun despite being stuck inside. The story captures childhood experiences of simple pleasures, sibling relationships, and parent-child boundaries in everyday situations. Through straightforward storytelling and expressive illustrations, Trouble Gum examines how children test limits while learning about consequences.

Readers describe this book as silly and playful, with many noting it captures sibling dynamics. Parents report their children request repeated readings and enjoy the simple story about gum. Positive reviews highlight: - Expressive illustrations that convey emotion through minimal lines - Relatable portrayal of brothers and parental rules - Humor that appeals to both kids and adults - Short length works well for toddlers/preschoolers Common criticisms: - Plot feels too basic for some - A few readers found the artwork too sketchy/unfinished - Some wanted more complexity in the story Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (442 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect for kids who constantly ask for gum" - Goodreads reviewer "Captures the mischievous spirit of young siblings" - Amazon review "The minimal art style won't appeal to everyone but my kids love studying the expressions" - School Library Journal reader review

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🌧️ This book was inspired by Matthew Cordell's own childhood experiences of being stuck indoors on rainy days with his brother. 🍬 The pink bubblegum in the story is based on Dubble Bubble, a classic brand that has been around since 1928. 📚 Matthew Cordell both wrote and illustrated the book, which is somewhat rare in children's publishing where authors and illustrators are often paired by publishers. 🐷 The main characters, Ruben and Julius, are pig brothers – a choice Cordell made because pigs are naturally playful and mischievous animals. 🎨 The illustrations were created using pen and ink with watercolor, giving the book its distinctive loose, energetic style that matches the chaos of the story.