Books › King Bidgood's in the bathtub
King Bidgood's in the bathtub
First published 1988 · 32 pages
A lavishly illustrated, rhythmic romp about the sheer joy of refusing to do what you are told.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a lush Renaissance painting that has been hijacked by a toddler's sense of humor. The experience is defined by its brilliant contrast: the artwork is breathtakingly detailed and opulent, while the rhythmic, repetitive text is pure, escalating silliness. It moves at a brisk, musical pace, inviting the reader to perform the increasingly desperate pleas of the royal court as they try to coax their stubborn monarch out of the water. The mood is joyfully chaotic, capturing the universal childhood delight of stalling and turning mundane routines into elaborate games. It is a perfect, theatrical read-aloud that delights young listeners who revel in seeing authority figures act utterly ridiculous.
- Mood
- lavish
- chaotic
- whimsical
- joyful
- Tone
- playful
- theatrical
- exuberant
- silly
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the joy of play · subverting authority · childhood stubbornness · imaginative indulgence
- The writing
- Rhythmic, repetitive, and highly musical, designed perfectly for a dramatic read-aloud.
- The arc
- Escalates from amusing royal frustration to a delightfully chaotic and triumphant splash.
- Who it's for
- Young children who love escalating silliness and parents who enjoy performing theatrical, rhythmic read-alouds.
About the book
Despite pleas from his court, a fun-loving king refuses to get out of his bathtub to rule his kingdom.
Description from Open Library.
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