Around the World in a Bathtub: Bathing All Over the Globe

by Wade Bradford, Micha Archer (Illustrations)

Explore bathing practices in different countries and cultures in this lively, colorful picture book.

From a hammam in Turkey to a maqii on the Alaskan tundra, this book shares the bath-time battle that happens every night around the world. "Yes, yes!" say the grown-ups, "No, no!" say the children, and the chase is on! Bath time may take many forms, but it's a ritual we all share.

"Bradford's picture book makes a splash with its lighthearted, global perspective on the ritual of bathing. "No, no!" squeal the "Yes, yes," insist the adults in English, Japanese, Hindi, and a sprinkling of other languages. . . .Parents and children will enjoy incorporating the linguistic variations into their own bath-time practices." — Booklist

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Geography, Childrens, Storytime, Cultural, International

32 pages, Library Binding

First published June 20, 2017

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the premise of this book, and the illustrations are fantastic, I really like the way Archer tactfully illustrated naked children. The one thing that really stopped me from enjoying this book more was the fact that the child in America was shown during a typical, everyday bath time, where others were shown bathing during religious ceremonies or special events. What are their everyday bath times like? Does a child in South America honestly go bath in a muddy volcano everyday, and if they don't, are we misrepresenting them and their culture, just so we can portray something a little bit more fantastical? And if those special circumstances were portrayed in other cultures, I would love to see those portrayed in American culture, as to give a more balanced representation.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bath time is very different and similar in different parts of the world.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed with this one (I really want to give it 3 1/2 stars). I guess I expected more information about bath customs around the world, even though the two pages of customs at the end of the book were interesting. The emphasis here seems to be on how universal the dislike of taking a bath is for children everywhere. Mothers say yes and the kids say no, and Bradford tells us how they say it in 9 countries around the world. I'm sure young readers will find it amusing, though I don't understand this reluctance to take a bath. I always enjoyed bath time. Anyway, with its bright, colorful illustrations, this book should be a hit with all those reluctant bathers. Combine with Joan Goldman's Bernard's Bath.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describes the different ways baths are taken around the world and beyond from a mud volcano to the International Space Station.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this colorful look at bath taking around the world. I appreciated the theme of different, but similar that holds through out the book. It's true that while children grow up speaking different languages in different places with different cultures, some behaviors are rather universal. Certainly not all children abhor bath time, but it does seem to be a common thing for many children to resist taking a bath. The book looks at different ways of taking baths around the world from Japan to Nepal to Turkey to India. While the child says, "No, No! The parent(s) says, "Yes, yes!" in various languages.

The bright, colorful illustrations are eye-catching and appealing. They give a glimpse into different ways of doing the same thing. Children are bound to find this book rather eye-opening as they consider, perhaps for the first time that things can be done indifferent ways. The additional information about each country at the end of the book is greatly appreciated by me as a librarian as it helps provide greater context. A fun book for sharing at bath time or any time.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

Everyone needs a good wash and rinse now and then. Some sooner and more often than others. As one learns the processes of care and maintenance of their own humanness, that requirement can be an unpleasant surprise or a happily anticipated event. Just depends. Kinda like broccoli or anchovies. You like 'em or you don't. Cleaning up, tho, isn't really optional. This bathing travelogue covered this subject soundly for my little listeners (and the big ones) with maps, language and methodology.

Not everyone does that wash and rinse the same way! Who knew? We went from country to nation to global location and found children all over the world being tossed, scrubbed, buffed and dried in numerous ways, with a final round up ending the same. For all the reluctance of getting started with the process, when the process is pronounced complete the reluctant participant begs for just a little longer. . .pleeeeeeeezzzzeee?? In the case of my group, they understood that scenario well - warm soapy water, a couple of yellow duckies makes a person want a few more minutes in the tub, thank you very much!

Bold, bright illustrations beautifully describe the author's work in this book. Appropriate, appealing and spot-on cute. Anyone who's had to hunt down a slippery escapee will smile as big as I did as I read. . .

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always wondered how families from Around the Globe take baths. Did You? I like the Turkish twins relaxing inside the sauna, too.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a preschool-delighting book about how little kids get baths all over the world. Super fun and interesting, with more details on bathing practices at the end.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. I love the inclusive illustrations.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bradford, Wade Around the World in a Bathtub: Bathing All Over the Globe, illustrated by Micha Archer. NONFICTION. Charlesbridge, 2017. $16.99.

This nonfiction picture book shows the way people all over the world bathe, from Turkish families traveling to public baths to Colombians taking a dip in a mud-filled volcano. Although the techniques are different, the book points out that most baths begin with the mama announcing it's time to get clean and the child refusing and running away -- but that, at the end, most children argue when it's time to get out because they want to stay in. They then splash their mothers in the face with the bath water, and the mother laughs sweetly.

While some children are more reluctant than others to get into the bath, I think it's quite a reach to say this is a thing in the majority of households all over the world. And if it is, I don't think it's setting a sterling example to have page after page of naked children arguing with their mothers and trying to run away because they have to take a bath. (As shown on the cover, a book such as this does include some nudity, although the details are not made clear in the illustrations.)

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- NOT RECOMMENDED. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book looks at various ways of bathing from around the world. Americans will be familiar with the first way, a bathtub with rubber duckies and a little one refusing to bathe. The book then moves to Japan with washing before entering the square tub to soak. People bathe from oldest to youngest. Turkey is next with bathhouses and scrubbing by attendants then a sauna with mud masks. Indians take baths in the river. Yup’ik families in Alaska sweat in a wooden cabin surrounded by snow. There are many ways and places to bathe around the world, but one thing holds constant across them all: children want to avoid baths!

Bradford uses information on bathing habits with touches of humor to lighten the book. Touches of each language are shown on the page from the names of the baths to the parents saying “yes” and the child saying “no”. The illustrations by Archer are oils and collage that create bright colorful scenes of the various places around the world. In all of them, there is an inviting feel and children escaping too. The images use the same humorous moments to enliven the book.

A bright and interesting look at baths, this is one worth submerging yourself into. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute storybook about bathing cultures around the world with some simple multilingual components. Not an #ownvoices book, but features MANY PoC and the main characters in the beginning and end of the story are a Black mom and son duo. Best for 1:1, family seetings, or small group readings, as there are several sentences on each page. Does feature some vague nudity (of children) characters and clothed adult characters. Helpful glossary/pronunciation guide in the back of the book (and phonetics as one reads along). Bathing cultures, and places described include: (the U.S.), Japan, Turkey, India, Alaska (a Yup'ik family), (ancient) Egypt, Australia, the Himalayan valleys, South Africa, and South America.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed more. The book showcases about six countries and a bathing habit they have for kids contextualized around the humor that most little kids don't like to take baths. The idea was to add some humor to the idea of bathing, but I wish it took the content more seriously and actually shared habits of more countries and more kids making it a little more international and also more informational- I wanted more explanation about the habit itself or the facility itself and definitions or vocabulary for the words in the culture too.

Ultimately, it fell short only in that it cheated readers out of the "around the world" by only highlighting a few countries in brief.

[Sharde Liggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Around the World in A Bathtub", by Wade Bradford is a picture book showing the similarities of children around the world during bath time being that they prefer not to take a bath. The illustrator Micha Archer depicts the story of bathers around the world in collages on origami paper showing how different cultures affect the way childrens bath. This picture book is very educational showing reasoning behind they way different people bath while also appealing to children in the most realistic fashion. Great book

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun look at bath times around the world. Warm colors and comforting scenes with the words "no no" and "yes yes" in many languages incorporated into the pictures.

I do have to say that the example of South American children bathing in a muddy volcano seemed too unusual an example. Short paragraphs at the end provide additional information and there IS an extinct volcano that people can bathe in but it is as if the United States as a country was represented by the hot springs pools at Steamboat Springs. More explanation would have helped.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to Julianna tonight. We both liked it. She gives it 5 stars. I agree. She says she likes it because the children were saying no and thr mommies were saying yes to take a bath. Lol. I thought it was interesting as compares the same experience of children bathing in different countries and how their traditions are different but yet the theme is the same. Often children do not want to take a bath but then they do not want to get out once they are in lol. Julianna agrees she says. We liked that we learned from this book.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has it all. Beautiful illustrations, informative, well-researched text, pictures showing people of many cultures, and the thread of a story to tie it all together! While a little too long and informational for toddlers, this would probably work for preschoolers and kindergartners, and it's also easy to skip chunks of the books if listeners are restless.

Themes: Around the World, Bathtime

[Alicia Klepeis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite recent reads. What a great, fun, high-energy way to introduce a concept familiar to all of us -- bathing -- but sharing how different (and similar) peoples' experiences and cultural practices are around the world. Absolutely fabulous illustrations -- so colorful and cheerful. The back matter was really interesting. Makes me want to try bathing in the many locations mentioned throughout the text.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that show our similarities through our differences. The daily bathing routine is one we can all relate to--little children running to avoid the bath and then hating to get out! It's the same all over the world, weather bathing in a lake, steam bath, hot spring or volcano. Pretty painted collage illustrations enhance the text. This will be fun to share with children of all ages.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. I really enjoy reading this! And, more importantly, my son enjoys me reading this to him. He loves the "no, no!" "yes, yes!" in all the different languages. And I'm just blown away by the art. The pictures are BEAUTIFUL. So bright and vibrant.
We're a household that likes reading, so thank you for this delightful addition!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting cross cultural perspective about bathing in various cultures. The best point of the book shows that young children don’t want to take a bath, but after the “game” prior to the bath the child doesn’t want to leave the water. I had hoped this would be a fun title for story time, but too much information is presented to use in a story time.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A universal activity for kids around the world, Bradford explores the similarities and some differences between ten places in the world that children take (or might take in the future) baths. Charming collage illustrations by Micha Archer add a little levity and charm to each situation, making this approachable for very young children.

For PreSchool-grade 3

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

English phonetic pronunciation is included for all the "no's" and "yes's" and kids will love learning about the many ways it is possible to bathe around the world (even if some examples are more for special occasions than for everyday). Reading one-on one, I might also point out that many people don't (or can't) bathe everyday and we might talk about the benefits and challenges of that.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

Meaningful, short, multicultural competent and beautifully illustrated! What more could you want in a children's book. I'm sure my son will treasure it for years to come!

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pleasant story about bath time rituals around the world. It's beautifully illustrated and mostly interesting. Despite the fact that there were pages containing a bit more information, I still felt like I wanted more.

[Kya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book does a great job taking something that everyone deals with (bathing) and displaying examples of differences around the world. This can be great for a kid to see the similarities and differences in lifestyles and customs in other cultures!

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Around the world in a Bathtub" is a wonderful multicultural elementary book that teaches children how other children are bathing throughout the world. This book would go well with other themed books about holidays and other activities around the world.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person who loves baths, I was so excited by this book. It’s very sweet and wonderfully informative. I love how the author included translations of yes and no in each language (including pronunciation!), but I was particularly struck by the thoughtful note about language at the end.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are prononuciation guides and phonetic breakdowns of words
There is an appreciation for different cultures

I love children seeing how one common thing we do throughtout the day is just as common for others. Sometimes with more ceremony and style

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Educational. Nice illustrations.