To the Tub

Joe the Frog

by Peggy Perry Anderson

A stubborn young frog named Joe does not want to take a bath. He delays his father as long as possible by asking him to fetch his favorite toys, until Father is so loaded down he trips and lands in the mud. Now Joe is not the only one who needs a bath.

“Suitable goofiness keeps this story of maneuverings sprightly and humorous, as do the ebullient cartoony drawings, which aptly demonstrate the good-natured parry and thrusts that mark the lighter moments of parent-child discourse.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The time-honored bath-procrastination ploy is portrayed, for a change, with a lovely absence of tension. Good-natured slapstick sets the tone, and Anderson’s bright rhymes follow suit, reinforced by fresh watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations dancing on bright white pages.”—School Library Journal

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1996

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Joe has been playing in the dirt and sand for most of the day. When his father asks him to head to the bath, he finds many ways to stall. From seeking more time to play and to searching for toys, Joe finds the ideal way to pass the time. However, his father has an idea that might work well for them both. When Joe obliges, there is trouble as mother catches them from the door. Neo loves his baths and used to have them often when we had a tub. Now, he can laugh at all the antics that Joe puts up, but tells me he would never delay having time in the tub.

[Kary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Joe the frog!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book read to me at bedtime by my 4yo. :)

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ignore the 1 star. Lovely book written by a lovely lady. I want to go to the tub now

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

His father wants Joe, the frog, to take a bath. He'll be ready in a minute. First he has to find all the toys he'll need in the tub. His father patiently holds a whale, a bucket, a boat, and many other toys while he waits for his son. How long can Joe put off his bath? Long enough for his dad to trip on a beach ball and drop Joe's toys in the mud. No problem. They both decide to take a mud bath.

[Sara Belleperche]

This book is about a little boy thatwas playing in his sand box and his father told him he neeed to take a bath but he said "NO". Then his father convienced him to take a bath but he had to get all his toys to bring inside. So on there way inside they both slip and fall in the mud so they both need a bath at the end.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older book and the illustrations seem to tell the story. I used this book in Tiny Tots story time and created and provided felt pieces from the story (things that went into the tub) for everyone to place on the flannel board while the story was being read. I asked the children to listen and look for their piece to come up in the story.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe is an adorable little frog who insists on bringing his toys into the tub with him. Sound familiar to anyone else? This is a good book for early readers.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good beginner book.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A father frog tries to get a son frog to take a bath. Some mud derails the plan (for both of them). But mommy frog sets things right.

Illustrations are okay.