Baby & Toddler
Pre-K
Splish-Splash Stories: Delightful Bath Books for Kids
by Jennifer Ridgway
Bathtime: necessary evil or the best time of the day? Bathtime can be quite a struggle for some families — and even if your child usually can’t wait to splash around, you’re bound to experience weird hiccups of resistance on occasion. Fortunately, there are lots of great board books and picture books (including some waterproof ones!) that show just how fun bathtime can be. Here are some children’s books that help to make tubby time terrific.
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Books About Bathtime:
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Ages 0 – 2
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Bathtime Peekaboo!
Also available from:This book combines a touch-and-feel experience with a lift-the-flap experience, making it highly interactive and engaging for babies and toddlers. The photos include babies with bath-related objects. The text is simple, and the books are durable enough for the littlest of hands.
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National Geographic Kids Wild Tales: Ella’s Bath
Also available from:Using real photographs set against bold illustrations, this book allows children to see different animals as they bathe and cool themselves. The text is simple to understand, and the lift-the-flap format will help keep kids engaged and curious.
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Splish, Splash, Baby!
Also available from:Illustrated in Katz’s signature style of bright colors and clear images, this board book features a diverse cast of adorable babies. The text is simple and it also has flaps for an interactive experience.
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Bathtime for Twins
Also available from:Weiss’s and Williams’s companion to Playtime for Twins shows just how fun the bath can be as a set of twins has “tea,” splashes around, and plays with their toy boat. The illustrations are gender neutral, and the author includes helpful little details such as having one twin in solids and one in stripes to help identify who is who.
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Ages 3 – 5
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How Do You Take a Bath?
Also available from:How do animals get clean? Little piggies wallow in mud, mama monkey combs through fur, and cats lick themselves from head to toe. Adorable yet educational, what makes this book a true bath time gem are the hilarious depictions of kids trying out those same grooming techniques for themselves.
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Bathtime Mathtime
Also available from:One, two, three bubbles. Add one more and now you’ve got four! Math wiz Danica McKellar introduces the early addition concept of counting on in this delightful board book all about bath time. Rhyming text and adorable illustrations make this book a tubful of fun.
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The Pigeon Needs a Bath!
Also available from:The argumentative Pigeon stars in this book and he doesn’t want to take a bath, despite being so dirty that even the flies buzzing around him complain about his hygiene! Once he agrees, it takes forever to get the bath just right. Finally, he realizes just how great baths are.
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Bears in the Bath
Also available from:When four little bears come in dirty after a day of playing, Big Brown Bear wants them to take a bath — they, however, don’t. With a fun rhyming pattern and sweet illustrations, this book ultimately makes bathtime look fun.
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101 Reasons Why I’m Not Taking a Bath
Also available from:At one time or another, we’ve all dealt with a child who just doesn’t want to get in the tub. In this case, the little boy has 101 reasons why he won’t, from the practical to the absurd. And, equally relatable to many parents, by the end, he doesn’t want to get out.
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Around the World in a Bathtub
Also available from:This great book shows children how different cultures around the world bathe, from the United States to Turkey to Japan. Bradford includes a bit of humor to make it entertaining, and he includes the words “yes” and “no” in various languages. A wonderful way to start exposing children to other traditions via a familiar subject.
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Waterproof Books to Read in the Bath:
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Squeaky Baby Bath: Things That Go
Also available from:Featuring planes, trains, and automobiles, this waterproof book has bright images and a squeaker on the last page. Also available to keep the bathtime rotation fresh: Squeaky Baby Bath: Colors, Squeaky Baby Bath: Baby Animals, and Squeaky Baby Bath: At the Beach.
(Ages 0 - 3)Also available from: -
Found You, Magic Fish!
Also available from:The story is short with only one line per page, but the magic of this book happens in the water. The animals start off white, but once the book gets wet, they turn colors. Little ones will love seeing the “magic” happen. Check out the whole series here.
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Indestructibles: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Also available from:This adaptation of the nursery rhyme is indestructible: It’s rip-proof, chew-proof, and waterproof. It is also very lightweight, making it easy to travel with. Make sure to check out the whole series!
(Ages 1 - 2)Also available from: -
The Rainbow Fish Bath Book
Also available from:The Rainbow Fish is a modern classic and this adaptation allows the fish to really swim. With foil stamping on every page, this sweet book is a perfect addition to bathtime.
(Ages 3+)Also available from: -
Barnyard Bath!
Also available from:Boynton’s books are always a favorite, and you can even bring one into the tub with you! Barnyard Bath is filled with Boynton’s signature rhythms and comes with a washcloth so your little one can help wash the sheep.
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