Otis P. Oliver Protests

by Keri Claiborne Boyle, Daniel Duncan (Illustrator)

Otis P. Oliver is taking a stand. He is NOT taking another bath--ever. But when your opinions matter to the rest of the family about as much as the opinions of the family dog (who, it's worth mentioning, only has to bathe once a month), you have to get serious. So Otis borrows a spiffy suit from his dad and rouses a rabble of neighbor kids to stand up for what the know is right: a bathtub ban. This hilarious story about standing up for what you believe in, compromise, and family will have readers of all ages ready to hit the pavement for their cause--whatever it may be.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2020

Reviews

[Carol Baldwin]

Raise your hand if you have/know a child who likes to get dirty.

Raise your hand if you have/know a child who doesn't want to take a bath.

Just as I thought. I bunch of you raised your hand.

Then Otis P. Oliver Protests by Keri Claiborne Boyle is for you and that child:

From the opening pages we meet Otis, the youngest of four children (his older siblings are ALL girls--he doesn't stand a chance) his dog, and his worm farm.

His family takes issue with his body odor and he decides it is time to protest baths. #1 enemy? Soap.

He enlists the support of his friends, they lead marches along the street and picket his driveway.

Thus begins protest correspondence with his mother. Notes are delivered--in style--by each of his older sisters and his dog. Negotiations ensue. Would Otis consider abandoning the protest for the price of lasagna and garlic bread? He considers the offer.

Finally, Otis gives in--vainly holding out for the promise of dessert.

In the end, Otis scribbles one last note to his mother: "Happy to announce I'll take a bath, but no soap! Maybe if there is dessert tonight. I'll consider a compromise."

Cute book and illustrations; parents will enjoy reading it to their children.

I'm giving away this book on my blog, carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com. Giveaway ends August 7, 2020

[Barbara]

Although taking a stand about bath time might not seem all that important, it is for Otis P. Oliver, who despises taking baths. Some readers might draw inspiration from his example and the steps he takes in his protest against baths to take their own stands for what matters to them. Apparently, Otis has some charisma or his protest touches a chord in his friends in the neighborhood since they join him as he marches in the streets with signs and speeches and then even launching a sit-down strike in his front yard. His mother is no fool, and rather than confront her son, she sends messages through his three sisters. Otis responds, and eventually, parent and child broker a compromise. Young readers will be tickled by the illustrations that show a dirty and reeking Otis as well as the references to various dinner preferences Otis has as the correspondence continues. Who wouldn't prefer lasagna over mystery meatloaf, after all? Even the spelling mistakes--desert, corrected to dessert, for instance--in the notes and the contents of the protest signs add to the book's humorous aspect. It has always seemed strange to me that so many youngsters dislike taking baths. I have always found them as a way to relax.

[Joe]

I read this with my seven-year-old son (he read it aloud and I helped him with the many hard words). He said he liked it because it was funny. I agree that the idea of a kid protesting taking baths is funny, but I didn't like it because of poor word choice by the writer. There are too many difficult words that most kids in the target audience will not understand. I made a list below of words I thought were too difficult. This book would probably be best read aloud to a little kid who can't read yet, because then the adult reader can change the words to ones that the kid will understand. I don't recommend it for young kids who want to read on their own.

Difficult words in this book: protest, strictly prohibited, excessively grubby, anti-bath stance, the establishment, unruly, sauntered off, mulled over, compromise

[Lynn]

The cover tells the story - Oliver, with dirt smudged on his face, stands in his underwear with his arms crossed in front of the bathtub. How attention grabbing is that? After he stages his protest, Mom is willing to compromise.

Looking serious (such as wearing a sports coat), getting backup (by delivering a fiery speech to his pals), marching, and picketing are reasonable steps when one is protesting. Toss in some hand-written notes between Otis and his mother during negotiations and we have a satisfying outcome!

Cartoonish illustrations (Daniel Duncan) add to the story with humor and just enough relevant details.

[Serina]

Ok. I laughed at this book, not because I like it but it was at the absurdities. Otis hates to take baths. He takes 4, count them, FOUR baths a week! All I could think was "You nasty dirty". Anyways he protests and the mom nicely writes notes to communicate with him. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Her compromise? Well if you don't dry off and your clothes stick to you, why don't you just go to bed naked. Uhhh? He likes this and agrees to take his bath............except no soap unless he gets desert. I can't roll my eyes hard enough.

[Kayleigh Ann]

While this wasn't my favorite children's book, I can appreciate the lessons that can be taught from it. While the idea of protesting baths is a fun topic, this book touches on ideas of standing up for one's beliefs, compromise, and discussions between family.

[Peacegal]

Like CLICK, CLACK, MOO, this story introduces concepts of protest and negotiation as kids take a stand against baths!

[Relyn]

Oh boy. This book was a hoot. I think older elementary kids will really get a kick out of it.

[Rebecca Gomez]

I like the subject matter, but not the execution It was just kind of meh to read aloud.

[Jules]

It's okay. I'll see how it goes during a read aloud. The pictures of the boy in his underwear is sure to cause hysterical laughter.

[TAL-E]

3.5

[Louie Attard]

Only 32 pages but I loved it