While a winter storm rages outside, Estelle relaxes by taking a long, hot, peppermint bubble bath. All is well until a mouse, seeking shelter from the storm, appears on the rim of the tub. Estelle clearly dislikes mice, and the illustrator has a grand time covering up pertinent bits of the plump naked lady as she attempts to get rid of this one. A broom, the cat, bubbles and a crossword puzzle are some of the imaginative items that preserve Estelle’s modesty. When the mouse falls into the tub, Estelle decides she’s not so afraid of him after all, and the new friends end up enjoying a bubble bath. The rhyming text is fun and the wordplay clever, but the illustrations really take the prize. DePalma employs bright pastels, a clever use of perspective and comical facial expressions to show the events. Colorful text dances along the pages just like Estelle, as she trips all over herself trying to catch the intruder. Young children will greatly enjoy the slightly naughty illustrations and the one uncovered fanny that DePalma allows. Prepare for a bunch of rowdy story-timers as they giggle over the never-quite-totally-nude Estelle. (Picture book. 4-7)
