On Account of the Gum

By Adam Rex

A child gets gum stuck in their hair and their family tries various methods to get it out.

5.9/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,950 ratings

56 pages· 473 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

A child's picture day turns chaotic when gum gets stuck in their hair. As scissors, butter, and even the family cat join the fray, the situation spirals into a comedic disaster. Will they find a solution before the photo is snapped? Dive into this zany tale of mishaps and laughter, where each page brings a new, unexpected twist. Perfect for anyone who's ever faced a sticky situation, this story promises giggles and a reminder that sometimes the best intentions lead to the funniest outcomes.

From the publisher

On Account of the Gum is a book about how the best intentions lead to some of the worst (and funniest) ideas! Serious humor abounds in this story about one kid’s hilarious misadventures with gum, and the cumulative buildup of stuff stuck in hair. From the madcap mind of Adam Rex comes a book about the improbable, downright bizarre remedies for a problem kids have faced since the creation of gum. - Features hilarious text with unexpected turns and fun rhymes- Wacky suggestions make this prime for constant giggles and repeat reading- Author Adam Rex has a funny, smart, and relatable style How do you get gum out of your hair–a pair of scissors? Butter? The cat? Call your aunt, she’ll know what to do. She doesn’t? Try the fire department! With each page turn, this situation–relatable to any family–grows stickier and more desperate. - A wonderful blend of light wordplay, zany humor, and a timeless topic- Perfect for fans of The Day the Crayons Quit and If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!- Great gift for parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and educators who are looking for a funny, relatable tale to read out loud- Add it the the shelf with books like We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins, The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt, and The Bad Seed by Jory John.

At a glance

Format
Pages: 56
Words: 473
Reading age: 5–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD560L

Themes & topics

Books about imagination and play Books about new experiences Books about social themes Books about gum Books about families

The Bookroo review

What our editors thought of On Account of the Gum

A galloping and hilarious romp from start to finish (including the endpapers!), the story trips along and off the tongue in a spiraling stream of escalations all beginning with the classic problem of getting gum stuck in one’s hair. While perhaps they should have tried peanut butter first (we’ve definitely heard that works!), the clever inclusion of many of the old tricks for getting gum out of hair and the reliance on googling an answer (and realizing that not every site knows what it’s talking about) adds to the stories punch and pizzazz. Rex’s distinctive illustration style shines with bubble-gum-bold color choices, handwritten text of all colors and sizes and utterly expressive faces, creating a sense of action and business that belies the fact that the entire story takes place in a single and unmoving chair. Just when the excitement seems to be winding down, Rex hits readers with an ending that clicks perfectly into place for a moment of sheer genius—turns out it’s picture day!

The verdict

“This laugh-out-loud and delightfully clever book is more fun than bubble gum.”

Bookroo Editorial

Reviewed August 2020

5.9/7

For the grown-ups