A modern classic that will be loved for yearsJanuary 7, 2009 One of the best read-a-loud books for pre-school kids I have ever come across. Our girls have loved it since 2 years old and now two years on still regularly ask for it as they love to join in. Maybe not perfect for the final bedtime story as it can make them over-excited but it is certainly fun for all.
fantasticOctober 11, 2007 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is such a lovely book, my 20 month son adores it and we have it almost every other night even though he has a full bookcase to choose from.
I love the fact that all the animals they meet along the way can be found in their bathroom, such as flamingos on the tiles etc.
Even though we have it so often I can't see us getting bored as its fun to read and the pictures are fab, we love it so much we ordered the 'sequel' the big blue train weeks before it was released (now another favourite although in my opinion not quite as good)
Again Grandma!October 3, 2006 8 out of 8 found this review helpful
The bath, in the life of a very young child, is a special place and bathtime an opportunity for exploration, discovery, recklessness and bouts of laughter. The repeated experience is hugely significant in the child's development but, it seems, taken for granted, certainly in literary terms - until now. Julia Jarman captures all its delights in her wonderful book. And she accomplishes this with such exuberance and sensitivity to what will enchant AND amuse a child that it is little wonder that the story is valued by children, parents and teachers.
This is a big, bright book with colourful illustration, rich in fascinating detail but clear and instant in its appeal. Left to themselves little ones pour over the pictures but soon, and yet again, they want the story.
The vocabulary, often onomatopoeic, is always appropriate and the bouncing rhythm and clever rhyming verse hold the children in thrall. Each page increases the excitement and then there's the sigh of satisfaction at the end, followed by 'Again'. I know. I've read the book countless times.
As an ex-teacher I could 'bang on' about its other virtues: promotion and reinforcement of language development and pre-reading skills, the stimulation of the pleasures to be found in books. This will reassure those parents anxious about the right sort of material for their children.
I prefer to stress the real strength of this book. It offers a happy - in fact I would go so far as to say a truly joyful - shared reading experience. My seven grandchildren and their parents enjoy it enormously and it's given me some precious times too.
Great family readSeptember 29, 2006 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book was bought for my daughter, it's a great bedtime book to read, especially after bathtime. It has wonderful rhyming words which my daughter joins in with, aswell as lovely pictures to look at. We have a few of Julia Jarmans books in our house and they all get the thumbs up.
Great story with lovely illustrationsJune 11, 2006 6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book is the current favourite bed-time story with my two children ,and has been the 'most requested' for some time now. My eldest has memorised the text word for word and so really enjoys joining in with the rhyme. The illustrations are lovely too, and you can make a great little game out of searching for all the book's characters on the last page.
