The Tub People

Tub People

by Pam Conrad, Richard Egielski (Illustrator)

During an unseen child's bath time, seven members of a wooden toy family ride on the floating soap and compete in swimming races.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Family, Fiction, Juvenile, Adventure

28 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Pam Conrad (1947-1996) was an author for children. Her book Our House: Stories of Levittown was a Newbery Medal finalist.

Ms. Conrad was born in New York City and graduated from the New School for Social Research.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good one! I think every child is fascinated with the idea of their toys coming to life. This is one of those that leaves a lot to the readers' and listeners' imagination.

[Julie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is it about this quiet, quirky kids' story that makes me cry every time I read it?

[Stan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read this in The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury. The illustrations are cute and the story is sweet. Love prevails.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for kids who love bath time!!

[Mary Stred · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandson and I need to know how the Tub Child got out of the toolbox. We thought we had skipped a page b/c this wasn’t explained.

[Stephen Paul Chase, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this version!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this book was mentioned in our textbook, but I just didn't find this book very enticing. I tried to look at it from a young child's point of view, but just wasn't sure if they would find it interesting enough to suspend disbelief. Are the toys moving about and interacting with each other on their own or with the help of a child? I think there could have been more cleverness either way. If there had been less text and of a more basic level, then I would understand. But why devote that much text without more detail or cleverness?

I also wasn't sure about the idea of wooden bath people--usu. bath toys are plastic, at least in the U.S./ in my experience. Likewise the dad's clothes look like they are of a different era. If this was set in a time period other than the last 20 years--copywrite, I believe, is 1980s or 1990s--then there should be more clues towards this. Perhaps this book takes place in a different country or culture? (The dad's suit and hat just look like a very specific choice to me.)

I would love to know other people's experiences with this book. Has anyone used this with students or read it to their own children?

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sad that the tub child got lost in the drain. He went down a tube and stopped it and then a plumber came and got him out and put him a toolbox. I don't know why he did that. Why did he do that? Weird huh? I didn't like but I loved THE DOG!

[Katie Shepley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book as a child. Not for children already afraid of bathtime though haha.

[Cosette · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures are captivating.

[Valerie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books for children. Loss, grief and reconciliation.

[Landra Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleverly written from the perspective of the dolls, the humans are not included in the story except by reference. The little boy doll (with whom the child reader will identify) is the one imperiled in the text, and the author deftly shows the other dolls devastation with such subtle touches as "the washcloth made a lonely dripping sound as it hung from the faucet.” The whole text is suffused with the strong sense of the love the other dolls feel for the little boy doll, and that, combined with the comforting ending, should be reassuring to a child. Wonderful read.

[Alysa Fenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting read. I remember having this read to me as a kid. Mostly the part where the tub child is stuck in the drain. I'm not entirely sure how to take in this story, but I suppose anyone who has toys like that might enjoy it, or children who take baths will be aware of not letting their toys down the drain?

[Abby Ambrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexile: 540L
DRA: 18
This is a very interesting book that introduces a set of unique characters. I really enjoyed the repetition and the ending, as it shows that being adaptable when changes occur is a good thing.

[M.L. Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

In case you forgot that the line, “They called and called for their Tub Child. Of course, they knew exactly where their child had gone. But somehow they felt comforted by calling for him,” came from a picture book about bathtub toys.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

What kid doesn't imagine their toys come to life and have adventures on their own when no one's looking? In this story, the child figurine has a mishap and gets stuck in the bathtub drain, necessitating a rescue. I enjoy the surrealism and gentle melancholy of the Tub People books.

[aj · Rating 5 out of 5]

#relatable.

Just like the situation in my life, when I was washed down the drain of a bathtub, I appreciate Richard Egielski’s understanding of human nature and humanity’s trials. The Tub People is a heartwarming, blood-curdling, gut-punching, knee-slapping read.

[Susan S.C.C.L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Always a favorite with the kids at our house when they were little.

[Baleigh Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Such a good book for children!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another one that captured my imagination as child.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

My younger daughter is obsessed with this book currently. Very cute and touching.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading about their little adventures in the tub and then later on the "mountain."

[Lydia Granda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story, my granddaughter loved it!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some ppl, kids and adults both, love this. More power to them. It just doesn't click for me. Maybe because I don't have enough imagination?

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2021
Gift from Harper's grandmother

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jahz: I love the story because I also like to play bath games just like in the story and I also like the little wooden dog.

[Karla Garcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book is okay, it's not super interesting and I don't know if it would captivate a child's attention well.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seven wooden peg toys live pleasantly in and around the bathtub until one goes missing down the drain.
More adventures of this crew, please.

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Found in the 20th Century Children's Book Treasury**

I'm just confused at how they were reunited when the Tub Child was put into a toolbox...