TOMMY O’TOM IN A TUB O’TROUBLE

During a routine bathtime, a young boy is joined by a wild bunch of messy and amusing animals in this picture book.

“Tommy O’Tom / was taking a bath / when in walked a hippo—and then a giraffe.” So begins this comical story; soon, these creatures climb into the tub, and a flamingo, zebra, and elephant shortly join them. They whimsically splash around, take note of interesting bathroom features, write on the mirror, and track mud and feathers. When Hippo complains that the water’s too cold, they turn on the shower, spraying it onto the wall. When Tommy’s mom arrives, she’s shocked by the mess. When he attempts to explain, he sees that “the animals had all disappeared!” Belle (Freeda the Cheetah, 2017, etc.) has perfectly captured the imagination of children in this lively book. The opening lines set a bouncy limerick pattern that makes it very entertaining to read aloud, although in some places the anapestic meter isn’t as clear. Thankfully, the author successfully avoids awkward, forced rhymes. Motz’s (The Ocean’s Power, 2018, etc.) precise illustrations are vivid, offering humorous details, particularly characters’ facial expressions. Colored text, corresponding with each character’s dialogue, adds interest and will help children follow the story.

A delightful read-aloud book with sharp illustrations and energetic text.