Estelle Takes a Bath [Hardcover]

Jill Esbaum (Author), Mary Newell DePalma (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A heartwarming tale of unlikely friendship

 

Estelle is nice and cozy in her bath, but the poor shivering mouse outside in the blizzard is anything but cozy. All he wants is a chance to warm up, so he squeeeeezes himself into the toasty little house. Little does he know that Estelle hates mice--and so does her cat!

This wild, soapy romp will warm even the most mouse-hating heart.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Rhymed couplets introduce Estelle, who is relaxing in a bubble bath at the end of the day while a blizzard rages outside. Readers will quickly realize that no good can come of the little field mouse that has found shelter from the snowstorm inside the woman's cozy house. Modestly nude Estelle is just as startled as the mouse when they encounter one another at the edge of the peppermint-scented tub, and the amusing illustrations, done in acrylics and mixed media, highlight the baby-blue, shock-filled eyes of both characters. As Estelle chases the intruder and tries to shoo it out with a broom, the page layout, with text in waving lines, reflects the action. The lighthearted artwork is filled with humor as bubbles, steam, and an assortment of strategically placed household objects cover Estelle's rotund body when she is running around the room. A quick turn of events demonstrates her kind heart in the surprising and satisfying conclusion. Supplemental but enjoyable.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Estelle is peacefully ignoring a blizzard while "sunk to her chinny in peppermint bubbles" in her tub. Her bath is interrupted, however, by a warmth-seeking mouse, and the subsequent chase ("She vaulted the table. He hurdled a shoe. / She slam-bammed the broom and took out the shampoo") results in the trashing of Estelle's kitchen and the mouse falling into the tub. Estelle rescues the rodent and shares her kitchen--and her bubbles. DePalma's acrylic-and-mixed-media illustrations consistently reflect the considerable action of the text. Estelle's comfortably rounded figure, modestly posed or strategically covered (all that is ever exposed is Estelle's derriere), is sure to attract children's attention. The palette is a plethora of cozy colors both warm and subdued, and the comical facial expressions and body language of the beleaguered mouse save the art from being overly cute. Esbaum's rhythmic, rhyming text scans well, and the premise will capture toddlers with a penchant for bubble baths. Janice Del Negro
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805077413
• ISBN-13: 978-0805077414
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,396,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jill Esbaum grew up in small-town Iowa. Her summers were spent creating comic strips, getting kittens to follow her home, and playing Barbie beauty pageant with the neighbor girls (during which her Barbie frequently tripped and fell during the swimsuit competition). One of her favorite possessions was the mini flashlight that illuminated post-bedtime, undercover reading marathons with Nancy Drew.

She is a frequent school visitor and conference speaker. She teaches writing for children at the University of Iowa Summer Writing Festival and the Whispering Woods Picture Book Writing Retreat. She lives with her husband on a farm near Davenport, Iowa.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Book!, March 18, 2009

By 

S. Connell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Estelle Takes a Bath (Hardcover)

This is such a funny, cute book. My three year old loves it, and I get a kick out of reading it to her. Entertaining for all ages!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great rhyme, funny, and engaging story, September 25, 2007

By 

Writing Mom (Missouri) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Estelle Takes a Bath (Hardcover)

This was a great book. The rhyme had perfect rhythm, the story was funny and the kids were totally engaged. I'm sure we'll be reading this book a lot in the future.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the best!, August 1, 2007

By 

Myla G. Zink (Bend Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Estelle Takes a Bath (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for my 4 1/2 year old grand daughter who has an entire library of fantastic books. This is by far one of her and my all time favorites. The illustration is adorable and the story is endearing. The book immediately makes you feel cozy and by the end you feel thankful for kind hearts. Every time we come to the last page my little grand daughter says "Let's read it again." And often we do. I highly recommend this book for ages 2 1/2 to 92 1/2!