Small Elephant's Bathtime

Reviewed by: Barbara Merritt - Scarborough School Department, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 1, 2015

Review

Small Elephant likes water as long as it is not in the bathtub. His mommy tries toys and bubbles to entice him into the bathtub, but he got madder and madder and finally hid. Mommy's final tactic is to have Daddy take over. Once Small Elephant sees Daddy crammed into the tub, he declares it is "mine" and then refuses to get out. Spare illustrations done in only blue, red, and gray with ample white space make the illustrations pop. Red text stands out as well. The whole thing feels like a two year old's temper tantrum. The reader can almost hear Small Elephant's "NO!" as Mommy tries to coax him into the tub. Children with toddler siblings and parents and grandparents who have lived through two year old tantrums will all identify with this book.

Overall Book Score: good