No Baths Week

No Baths Week by Katrina McKelvey, illustrated by Cheri Hughes (Big Sky Publishing) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9781925675429

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Can Ben and Bandit avoid having a bath for a whole week? Ben thinks so. Each time his mum tells him it’s time for a bath, Ben comes up with a crazy new way to get clean. He and Bandit sprint through a super-cold sprinkler, wade in a water feature and get primped by Pawla’s Pooch Pampering. But what happens when Ben runs out of ideas?

Katrina McKelvey’s story is overflowing with messy mischief. Children aged three to seven years will identify with mud pie-making, sandpit-shovelling Ben and adore his partner in grime, Bandit. Beyond the frothy fun of the story, Katrina dives deep into the themes of friendship and creativity with a unique blend of heart and humour.

Cheri Hughes’ dynamic illustrations dazzle readers with their magic and movement. Bright colours splash across the spreads, adding a layer of visual energy to the lively text, while onomatopoeic words pop from the pages like shiny soap bubbles.

This is an ideal book for children who fuss at bath time, as Ben’s increasingly silly suggestions will make them laugh. When Ben and Bandit eventually give in and take the plunge, the sheer joy on their faces reveals to reluctant bathers just how wonderful a warm bath can be.