Just Me in the Tub

Little Critter

by Gina Mayer

Taking a bath is a big job. Mercer Mayer's famous Little Critter works hard to do it right in this funny picture book.

Tub time is fun time with Little Critter! Children will discover the secrets of having good, clean fun as they enjoy the antics of Little Critter in his warm and cozy bath. Here, our favorite critter has a mountain of tub toys to remember, stuffed animals to line up so they can watch, bubble bath to pour, a floor to flood, and so much more. What will Little Critter find at the end of his huge effort? A dry and cozy finale.

Mercer Mayer's Little Critter stories, which address all the major issues of growing up, are perennial favorites to generations of readers of readers of all ages.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Humor, Family, Kids, Juvenile

24 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. For the German author of novels, youth books and children's books, see Gina Mayer

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Read and reviewed with my niece Emma***

There's a certain lack of excitement in these books by Gina and Mercer Mayer, and yet we are absolutely enamored of them. I don't know what it is, but reading these makes Emma chill right out. She's all squirmy during hair-raising tales like The Gingerbread Man, but when we read one of these she becomes as cool as a little Fonzy. Maybe it's the main character's nonchalance or his drowsy, half-lidded eyes that lull her into a pleasant, near coma. Maybe she's tuning into Mayer's laid back writing style. I don't know.

What I do know is that, in this one, Emma liked the dinosaur the best. What the hell dinosaur was she talking about, I wondered. Flipping through again I then noticed it's on nearly ever page that it possibly can be, thrusting it's grinning head in from stage-right or pandering for attention at center stage. How'd I miss that?

You know, I think I figured out what Emma likes about these books. The main character is a doofus. In this one his object is to take a bath. Well, Emma continually pointed out all the water he was spilling. I think she likes that she has her shit together compared to this guy.

[Kelly Kosinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved bath time!

[Melissa Mortenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where's the smut? 0/5

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about taking a bath - this is another book from the Little Critter series that we've read over and over again.

Our girls love seeing Little Critter play and make a watery mess in and around the bathtub. I love that it shows how bathtime is just as important to get clean as it is to play. It's a classic book to read aloud with children.

[Erin Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simple story about how much fun bath time is for kids. Some children dread taking baths, but if you read "Just Me in the Tub" it might give the child the encouragement to take a bath. I would read this book to 2-5 year old's as well as encourage parents to read it to their child at home. I personal love the joy the character gets when he has everything ready for bath time, but he forgets about something very important to turn off.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my classmates read this book to us in class for her Read Aloud and it was all about a teddy bear who needed to wash up before bed time therefore we got all the things he needed for his bath. It was super cute and would show kids how important it is to wash up before bedtime and stay clean.

[Sydney Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gina and Mercer Mayer
Golden Books Publishing 1994

"Just Me in the Tub" is one of many of Mayer's Little Critter books. This one shows Little Critter and his routine as he has to go and take a bath. First, he makes sure to get the water the right temperature, makes sure he has his towel, and clean clothes; and he always makes sure to wash himself before he starts playing with his toys.

There aren't really any potential problems with this story.

I have always loved the Little Critter books. The pictures are so unique and they are always full of bright colors, which help keep the children reading them entertained. This book in particular also helps kids learn sequence and why doing things in the right order is important. They can see the Little Critter go through his routine, and so they can learn from the book, and know how they should do things in their own lives. Highly recommend for all little kids, but might be especially good for little boys.

[Jen Kohel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title: Just Me in the Tub
Author/Illustrator: Gina and Mercer Mayer
Reading Level: 2.0
Book Level: K-2
Book Summary:
Little Critter needs to take a bath, and he explains his bath time routine. He has many steps to his bath time routine.
Bookshelf Genre: Picture Books
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Organization - The reader is able to follow Little Critters night time bath routine. Little Critter’s steps are written in a logical sequence. As a writing activity, I would have my students write or draw a sequence of their bedtime routines.
Voice - The book is read through the perspective of Little Critter, which is quite humorous. The reader is able to imagine himself/herself as Little Critter. I would have a volunteer read this story using what they think is the tone of Little Critter.

[booklady · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know I am in the minority, but I have never been a Little Critter fan. We have a few of the books around the house (although I don't know how we came by them because I didn't buy them!) and I hung on to them wondering how/if boys would react to them. I don't think they were ever favorites with our daughters either. Tried to read this to my almost three-year-old grandson last weekend and he told me to stop after I got to the third double page spread. Why do they make ugly creatures to represent adorable little children?

[Cassie | Uplifted Book Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

When he gets out of the tub to get his toys oh my goodness it drives me crazy! The stars went down from there ha ha. I love these books. There’s so much to look at. I also always loved the spiders in every page spread and the mouse. Illustrations always meant so much to me as a kid growing up. I love noticing little things like that and it made me feel special when I figured out that not many people noticed those things as well in my family or my social Circle.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains in detail the order of bathing for children. At each step, This story have written a lot of detailed explanations and points of interest. After having children read through the book, playing a game that arranges the picture cards in the order of the story will also help children understand the story of the book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am wanting to starting teaching 2nd or 3rd grade and I am trying to read as many cute children's books as possible to add to my class library. If you have suggestions please let me know!


Sorry to flood the timelines with children's books... but I have a stack I wanted to get on goodreads and shelved as classroom want list lol and I am trying to catch up by the end of the year haha

[Lauren Riviere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story about a child taking a bath, it might encourage a conversation about proper hygiene. Children will enjoy it because they will most likely see similarities in how they themselves bathe.

[Sinthia Burgos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love little critter books. This book is one of my favorite it never gets old. Children enjoy watching the process it takes to take a bath. We see Little critter getting ready for his bath and gathering his favorite toys. He makes some mistakes but continues with his fun job.

[Amita Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good read aloud book that with a funny story line that also has educational value. It teaches children about bath time. It also teaches about love and family with the story ending with little critter cuddling with his parents after being a big boy and taking bath all by himself.

[Lauren Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for young children and young readers. I like this book because it has excellent pictures and illustrations, and because of the message about why bathtime and being clean are essential and should make you feel.

[Margaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute little kids picture book with Little Critter about the fun of a bath. Would be great addition to any kids library, classroom, or school library. Would be especially good for kids who may not enjoy baths or make bath time difficult!

[Mary Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Critter and his bath time routine, where he has adventures in the tub with his toys. And makes a huge mess in the bathroom that he forgot to clean up.

[Kristen Dutkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story to help young children prepare for bath time. Loved how Little Critter made a mess despite his good intentions.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better Little Critter books where Little Critter isn't up to too much mischief. A good book for bedtime.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kid likes this series however I think the critter sets a terrible behavioral example.

[Anna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little critter is having a bath.

[Keeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

so cute, I remember this book from when i was a kid! it's one of my favorites (: the little sensory details in this book make it very memorable.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this book walks through so many of the things I want my child to know when taking a bath.

[Stephen Chase · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst book ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FirnMamaMakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a very all-over-the-place relationship with these books. This is one my 4 year old really likes, thinks it's silly and funny; she asks for it over and over.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unlocked memories of when I was a kid and took baths.

[Cecile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as great as I remember from a quarter century ago. Lots of disobedience.

[Klay Seehase]

About a creature in the bathroom playing use this for kids to read back to me for how fast they can read

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I want to take a bath!