Estelle Takes A Bath

Estelle Takes a Bath

From School Library JournalPreSchool-Grade 2-Rhymed couplets introduce Estelle, who is relaxing in a bubble bath at the end of the day while a blizzard rages outside. Readers will quickly realize that no good can come of the little field mouse that has found shelter from the snowstorm inside the woman's cozy house. Modestly nude Estelle is just as startled as the mouse when they encounter one another at the edge of the peppermint-scented tub, and the amusing illustrations, done in acrylics and mixed media, highlight the baby-blue, shock-filled eyes of both characters. As Estelle chases the intruder and tries to shoo it out with a broom, the page layout, with text in waving lines, reflects the action. The lighthearted artwork is filled with humor as bubbles, steam, and an assortment of strategically placed household objects cover Estelle's rotund body when she is running around the room. A quick turn of events demonstrates her kind heart in the surprising and satisfying conclusion. Supplemental but enjoyable.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VACopyright ? Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.A heartwarming tale of unlikely friendshipEstelle is nice and cozy in her bath, but the poor shivering mouse outside in the blizzard is anything but cozy. All he wants is a chance to warm up, so he squeeeeezes himself into the toasty little house. Little does he know that Estelle hates mice--and so does her cat!This wild, soapy romp will warm even the most mouse-hating heart.From BooklistEstelle is peacefully ignoring a blizzard while "sunk to her chinny in peppermint bubbles" in her tub. Her bath is interrupted, however, by a warmth-seeking mouse, and the subsequent chase ("She vaulted the table. He hurdled a shoe. / She slam-bammed the broom and took out the shampoo") results in the trashing of Estelle's kitchen and the mouse falling into the tub. Estelle rescues the rodent and shares her kitchen--and her bubbles. DePalma's acrylic-and-mixed-media illustrations consistently reflect the considerable action of the text. Estelle's comfortably rounded figure, modestly posed or strategically covered (all that is ever exposed is Estelle's derriere), is sure to attract children's attention. The palette is a plethora of cozy colors both warm and subdued, and the comical facial expressions and body language of the beleaguered mouse save the art from being overly cute. Esbaum's rhythmic, rhyming text scans well, and the premise will capture toddlers with a penchant for bubble baths. Janice Del NegroCopyright ? American Library Association. All rights reservedAbout the AuthorJill Esbaum is the author of several books for young readers. She lives on a farm near Dixon, Iowa.Mary Newell DePalma is the illustrator of several books for children, including Knock! Knock! She lives in Boston, Massachusetts.