Audrey & Don Wood are one of children's literature's best pairs and this is one of my favorites from their considerable catalog. This book is a Caldecott Honor recipient, along with Stephen Gammell's The Relatives Came, the same year (1986) the The Polar Express won.
King Bidgood refuses to get out of the bathtub and his court spends the day trying to get him to come out and do his job.
Children love ridiculous scenarios, especially scenarios in which an adult acts like a petulant toddler. The repetition and rhyme are delightful and reassuring for young readers, but the best thing about this book is the illustrations!
Don Wood's intricate detail in each illustration is fascinating. Readers will want to spend hours pouring over the pictures, with or without the text. Whether the king is feasting or fishing, the tub is overflowing with tools for the task.
One of my favorite things about the tub scenes is the delight that king shows in convincing the courtiers to join him, fully clothed in the tub, and the subsequent expressions on their sopping wet faces.
Fun fact: the Wood's son was Don's model for the page.
If you don't have this book in your collection, head to your library and get it now or purchase it through Amazon! While you're there, be sure to check out The Napping House, Piggies, and Silly Sally for the board book crowd, and for beginning readers, Sweet Dream Pie and Jubal's Wish.
Reading Rockets' interview with Don & Audrey Wood
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