For some children bath time is the highlight of the day, but for others it’s a dread, chore or even a fear. Sharing stories about bathing can put a child’s mind at ease and make the experience easier to cope with – for everyone.
Squeaky Clean
by Jane Clarke and Anni Axworthy
Little Ellie has a scheme to keep the whole zoo squeaky clean. But do the animals want to be clean?
Age: 5+
Small Elephant’s Bathtime
by Tatyana Feeney
Small Elephant loves water – but not when it is in a bath. Sometimes the only way a grown-up can get a small person to do what they want is by being silly.
Age: 3+
Whiffy Wilson: The Wolf Who Wouldn’t Wash
by Caryl Hart and Leonie Lord
Whiffy Wilson isn’t keen on clean. He only has time for grime! Will anyone be able to persuade him to change his grotty ways for something far less stinky?
Age: 3+
Big red bath
by Julia Jarman
Wonderful rhyming text perfect to read aloud. Two children having a fun bath time experience.
Age: 2+
Rabbit Ears
by Amber Stewart and Laura Rankin
Hopscotch knows exactly what he likes and what he does not like, and one thing is for sure. Hopscotch does NOT like having his ears washed. A bubbly story which may help calm fears about soapy bathtimes.
Age: 3+
The Pigeon Needs a Bath
by Mo Willems
It is no easy job to convince this dirty, smelly pigeon that he needs a bath. Pigeon tries every excuse he can think of to avoid getting in the water, but once he gets in, how will we every get him to come out again?
Age: 3+
Useful Organisations
Babycentre:
Help and support on bathing babies.
CBBC:
Fun videos to watch together about Blue Peter dogs having baths.
NHS:
Advice and support on how to wash adn bath your baby
Supernanny:
Ideas and advice on bath time and how to make it a regular bedtime routine for ages 0-4.
Hampshire Library Service 