- First, there's plain ol' Bathtub Day, celebrated every October 7th. We found a whole lotta very interesting info on this one – so much that it'll be needing its own dedicated post come October. (So be sure to come back and check it out.)
- Then, there's National Bathtub Party Day. This one is simple and straightforward: Created by Thomas and Ruth Roy, it's an excuse to have a party in the tub, and is celebrated every December 5th.
- And finally, there's Bubble Bath Day, the annual January 8th celebration which seems to have come about due to a greeting card company creation.
Back to the holiday at hand, even though there seems to be no official origin or backstory for National Read in the Bathtub Day, that doesn't mean we can't celebrate it, with snacks and perhaps a similarly-minded rubber duckie:
But before you head off for a water-filled read-n-soak in the tub (or a pillow-filled read-n-snuggle in the tub, for those who'd rather not risk ending up with soggy books), you'll be needing some reading material. And so, for your consideration, here are a few books for kids – in which a bath or a tub or both feature prominently – that we here at Chez Wheedleton just love:
Written by Audrey Wood
Illustrated by Don Wood
Ages 4 and up
King Bidgood has his own ideas about how to rule his kingdom, and much to his faithful Page's chagrin, he has gleefully decided to do it all from his tub. The members of his court, at the Page's frantic requests, try all manner of strategies to lure the king out of the bath. He cheerfully obliges each suggestion, with one caveat: they must join him - fully clothed, in all their courtly finery - in the tub. They battle in the tub. They lunch in the tub. They fish in the tub. They even dance in the tub. But the only ones to leave that tub are some very soggy, frustrated courtiers. Is there anyone who can convince the king to leave his bath?
Written by Amy Timberlake
Illustrated by Adam Rex
Ages 4 and up
Ah, the life of a cowboy: roundin' up cattle, cookin' up some vittles, singin' songs around the campfire, with only his trusty steed and loyal dog for company. Yessir, life sure is perfect for a cowboy...until he gets it in his head that he oughta prob'ly have hisself a bath. The cowboy in this story sets out to do just that. Just gettin' to the river takes some doin,' but he gets there alright, and charges his dog with guardin' his duds. An' then he heads to the river, nearly-new bar of lye soap in hand, an' he gets good and clean. But, once he fixes t' go git his duds back? Well, that's when things get interestin.'
Written and illustrated by Bernard Waber
Ages 5 and up
The day Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Primm and their young son Joshua move into the house on East 88th street, they hear an unusual sound coming from somewhere in the house: SWISH, SWASH, SPLASH, SWOOSH. So Mrs. Primm goes to investigate. When she takes a peek in the bathroom, she finds the source of that sound: A crocodile! In their bathtub!
Then, an oddly dressed man arrives at the door, hands Joshua Primm a note, and leaves. Hector P. Valenti's note explains that the crocodile's name is Lyle, that he will only eat Turkish caviar, and that he can perform tricks. Will the Primms welcome Lyle into their family?
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When February 9th rolls around, grab a couple of books, and then off to the tub with you. And whether you fill that tub with warm relaxing water, or soft fluffy pillows, have a very happy National Read in the Bathtub Day!
