Bernard's Bath [Hardcover]

Joan Elizabeth Goodman (Author), Dominic Catalano (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Series: Bernard's Bath

With little Bernard, a baby elephant, refusing to go anywhere near the water, his family--Mama, Papa, and Grandma--set out to make bathtime lots of fun. By the author of Good Night, Pippin.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bernard is an elephant, but he has something in common with many a human child-a loathing of bathtime. "No bath," he announces, taking refuge in the towel closet. His parents' cajolings and even the lure of bubbles and bath toys fail to change his mind. Only when he sees Mama and Papa and even Grandma climb into the tub and cavort happily is he finally enticed. Zeroing in on one of the main events in a small child's day, this frothy tale gives the bath-o-phobic an opportunity for vicarious revolt (and reconciliation). Catalano's (Wolf Plays Along) droll pastels play up Goodman's (Good Night, Pippin) effervescent text, and there's much sly visual enjoyment in such details as Bernard's determined expression and the elephant grown-ups whooping it up in the tub. Kids will soak this one right up. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreS?In typical toddler fashion, Bernard, a young elephant, is stoutly avoiding his bath. "No bath," he proclaims from his hiding place in the linen closet, and proceeds to resist the various blandishments offered by his mother, father, and grandmother: pink bubble bath, soap crayons, a rubber ducky, and a boat. Finally, to demonstrate the joy of bathing, all the grownups begin wallowing and splashing in the tub, playing divers and submarines, and having such a good time that they don't even hear Bernard when he declares, "Bath," until he bellows it. The humorous, lively, yet simple text reads aloud well and should produce giggles from listeners. But although the full-page illustrations feature jolly, expressive elephants, the colors?dull rusts, blues, grays, and greens?detract from the lighthearted mood. This heaviness is repeated in the solidity of the artwork. Even the water cascading from the tub has a strange firmness, and the bath toys appear almost monumental. Nevertheless, there is plenty of action and fun here.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (February 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563973235
• ISBN-13: 978-1563973239
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,278,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars bernard's bath, January 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bernard's Bath (Hardcover)

My son is two years old and he loves this book. I had to read it to him four times the first night we had the book. The illustrations are fun and it is very easy to read. One reason my son loves this book is that he can relate to all the ways bernard's family tries to get him into the tub with bath toys, and bubbles. Plus the fact that bernard and his family are elephants doesn't hurt.