by Moe Zilla

Created on: March 06, 2010

Besides the funny illustrations, it's also a fascinating exercise in perspective. The book's title asks a simple question - "Who is Melvin Bubble?" But then author-illustrator Nick Bruel riffs on it for the rest of the book, drawing funny illustrations of different people answering the question. He supplies them all with revealing monologues, starting with Melvin's father and then his mother. He moves on to Melvin's best friend and then to his dog. But soon he's even asking Santa Claus, Melvin's Teddy Bear, and "a big ugly monster with three eyes."

Nick Bruel isn't missing anybody…

What does Melvin's dog have to say?  Nothing. (Except "Woof woof arf woof woof bark woof….") The illustration reveals that from the dog's perspective, Melvin is that tiny head that appears in the background behind that delicious bowl of dog food he's carrying. But then surprisingly, Melvin's teddy bear is a real chatterbox - though every sentence is about how much Melvin likes hugs.

The monster with three eyes describes Melvin as ""Dear, sweet, delicious Melvin… I must have him over for dinner sometime!" Santa Claus notes that Melvin's always on his "nice" list. There's also an interview with the tooth fairy, who complains Melvin accidentally crushed her once when she tried slipping money under his pillow. And a beautiful princess is pining for "Prince Melvin of Bubbletopia" to rescue her "and take me away to his silver castle in the clouds where he will marry me, and together we will have five hundred children and live happily ever after."  (Fortunately, I think Bruel is making fun of that idea - and he points out in the caption that she's probably thinking of a different Melvin.)

The meanest man in the world weighs in too. ("What kind of silly name is that?! I hate silly names!") And the next page announces an interview with "this magic rock!" (Which says…nothing at all.) There's a talking zebra, who asks "Is he a lion? I don't like lions…" But the book reaches a satisfying conclusion when all the characters appear together on one page, and stand smiling silently for the final interview. To determine who is Melvin Bubble? They ask Melvin Bubble himself.

I think children will find this story surprisingly validating. But it's also just very entertaining. And the last joke appears on the back cover. "Dear Mr. Bruel, Thanks for the book…!" Melvin writes. "Maybe I'LL write a book about YOU someday!"

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