The Tub People

My 2 and 4 yr olds both request this book at least twice a day. I only wish we could buy actual Tub People figures, because I know my boys would have hours of fun acting out the story and coming up with more of their own. This is a delightful story of toys coming to life, and has the heartwarming theme of reuniting a family. I still don't mind reading it over and over.

I have to buy this book after borrowing it from the library. My daughter always has me read it 2 or 3 times in row. Although the first time we read it, was a bit dramatic for her. We got to the "heavy drama part" in the story, and I heard a whimper from my daughter. I turned and saw her lip quivering, and her eyes filling up with tears. I hurried up and explained, "Don't worry honey -- he gets saved--he gets saved." And then we flipped a couple pages ahead. "See, the Tub Child is back with his family." And so she was quickly reassured. As soon as we finished the story, her response was, "Read it Again! Read it Again!" And no more tears. But she still always flips ahead to the page where the Tub Child is back with his family!

This story has made a lasting impression on my three year old son. For the last six months my son points at every drain we see...at the YMCA, bathrooms, and places I never knew had drains, and says, "There is a drain. That's where the tub child went." I know I am probably planting seeds for my son's future therapist but regardless this really is a wonderful book.

I love the way the words and the pictures in this book interact, and how my children are challenged to figure out what is happening from a realistic perspective while at the same time experiencing real issues on the fantasy side of the story. My children ask and think about the "bath child", but they are not scared. I love this book.

It seems that many people enjoy this title, some are confused by it and yet others dislike it. I would like to ask parents to read or listen to the material they are buying for their children ahead of time so that there are no surprises. My three year old son enjoys this story at home as well as at preschool. It does have a happy ending but when you think about it, this book is about loss. In time all of our children will learn about loss in their lives in many different ways. This is a great story to have at home or school.