Tickle, Tickle

by Helen Oxenbury

Helen Oxenbury's delightful board books, featuring her sweet and cuddly babies at play, are back with a whole new look.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Cultural, Humor, Fiction, Storytime

10 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Married to John Burningham

Born in 1938 and growing up in Ipswich, England, Helen Oxenbury loved nothing more than drawing. As a teenager, she entered art school and basked in the pleasure of drawing, and nothing but drawing, all day. During vacations she helped out at the Ipswich Repertory Theatre workshop, mixing paints for set designers. It was there that she decided her future lay in theater design.

While studying costume design, however, Helen Oxenbury was told by a teacher, "This is hopeless, you know. You ought to go and do illustrations--you're much more interested in the character, and we don't know who's going to play the part!"


But sets and scenery, not books, remained Helen Oxenbury's preoccupation for several more years as she embarked on careers in theater, film, and TV. After marrying John Burningham, another of the world's most eminent children's book illustrators, and giving birth to their first child, at last she turned to illustrating children's books. "When I had babies," Helen Oxenbury says, "I wanted to be home with them and look for something to do there."


Today, Helen Oxenbury is among the most popular and critically acclaimed illustrators of her time. Her numerous books for children include the Greenaway Medal-winning ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND and its companion, ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, both by Lewis Carroll; Smarties Book Prize-winning FARMER DUCK by Martin Waddell; SO MUCH by Trish Cooke; as well as her classic board books for babies. More recently, she collaborated with author Phyllis Root on the jubilant, no-nonsense tall tale BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD. "As I read Phyllis's text, I imagined Big Momma as part Buddha, part housewife," she says. "It was intimidating to create a whole world, but very enjoyable."


And what does she love most about her work? Thinking up new ideas? Seeing the finished book? Not at all. For Helen, "The best part is when I think I know what I'm doing and I've completed a few drawings. In fact, when I get about a third of the way through, and I feel I'm on my way, then I'm happy. It's like reading a good book--you don't want it to end."


Helen Oxenbury and her husband make their home in London, where the illustrator works in a nearby studio. She is also an avid tennis player.

Reviews

[Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short story. It didnt make any sense. Okay drawings, not the best overall.

[Lara's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis : A simple board book featuring lumbering, cutie-pie babies at play.
Review : This board book was initially a bit of a challenge for me to really jump into until I began to appreciate it's subtle charms. Having a limited number of pages (4 total) it took a minute for it to "click" in my brain. But, the illustrations are nice a large with children having a good time in the mud, washing up and getting ready for bed. The largeness of the images makes pointing and learning names easier for small hands (sponge, boat, towel, brush, etc.) The sounds are something readers can really have a good time with "squelch, squelch in the mud", etc. Actions such as wash, brush, scrub come into play as well as gently. Gently being a word you hear parents use time and time again to relate to petting a cat, touching fragile items and in play time. Very subtle, sweet lessons to be learned from Helen Ozenbury--apparently for adults as well as little tikes.
Critical Reviews : One parent commented "My 12 month daughter was not attracted to this book, it's too short and there isn't enough of a story. There are much better books out there that will keep a child's attention" which was where I was initially. However, give the book more time and it blooms.Children's Literature gave a positive review stating, "Lap sitters will enjoy looking at the babies, hearing the simple words and joining in with their own renditions. The illustrations are full of humor--pants are slipping off bottoms and one baby squeeze a sponge full of water on the head of another."

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 3 out of 5]

26/1001 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up

[Oksana Osinienė · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that feels less like reading and more like sharing a moment. Tickle, Tickle is simple, warm, and deeply human. There’s no complicated story here — just gentle play, eye contact, touch, and laughter. And that’s exactly why it works so beautifully.

Helen Oxenbury captures babies the way they really are: curious, expressive, and completely present. Each page invites interaction — you don’t just read it, you participate. Ticking toes, tummy, chin… and waiting for that inevitable giggle at the end. It naturally brings adult and child closer.

I love how calm and timeless this book feels. No overstimulation, no noise — just closeness, rhythm, and joy. It’s perfect for slow moments, before sleep, or any time you want connection rather than distraction.

A small book with a big heart — one that reminds us that the simplest things are often the most meaningful.

[briz · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could anyone not love - nay, ADORE - these simple, playful, joyous, plump and VERY LARGE babies? Racial diversity - yes, thank you. Extremely short for extremely short attention spans - yes. Featuring such delights as mud, bathtime, combing your hair, and tickles? Wonderful. Honestly, I just love Helen Oxenbury's art.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute and simple book for little kids. It is very short which is good for their attention span.

[Aneesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cuties!!!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet baby book with big pictures, just four lines long.

[Erik · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's one of the few really multiracial board books and the things the babies do are fun, but I wasn't a big fan of the art and it's way too short.

[Kristal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Watched on YouTube.

Cute, simple board book with diverse characters

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute baby book!

[SBC · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 1 year old enjoyed this one, especially the tickling at the end.

[Matt Sheffield · Rating 1 out of 5]

1001 Children's Books To Read Before You Grow Up - #26

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is very short, and I didn't like the illustrations.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute for new babies. Super short, pictures of babies and an excuse to tickle.

[Sylvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but sweet! My dad said he loved these books when he was a baby!

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw7BK...

[Aileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read on Open Library. Very short book, ideal to read with toddlers, the illustrations are large and in bright colours.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very short book with no point. Would not recommend

[CHIOMA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable pictures, easy to read.
Makes a fun bedtime read.

[Farhana Begum]

This big broad multicultural book displays a group of toddlers all enjoying simple activities together such as playing in the mud, playing in water and brushing their hair. This book is ideal for younger children especially during bath time and bedtime but it can be enjoyed just as much at any time of the day and by all children above three. The rhythmic text repetition makes this book good to read aloud as the strong interactive story can be re-enacted by children with the use of gestures allowing everyone to engage and enjoy a good read.

This book primarily promotes diversity and with the aid of the simple text and bold images it allows children to focus on the activities of the toddlers. A simple fun read for all children with the enjoyment of tickles at the end.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen Oxenbury's board books were highly recommended in another book I was reading (both possible titles were too long to write here). I wasn't that impressed. I had read Ten Fingers and Ten Toes (I think that's the title), back before Natalie was born, and didn't like the illustrations. I still am not found of the look of the babies. The illustrations are nice big close ups of babies playing, but they just weren't for me. I'd prefer photographs than this style. The text were simple and rhymed, but didn't make me laugh or connected or anything. Maybe it is because these books are intended for infants, and I waited too long to try to share them with Natalie.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely first board book - and it really was the first one I read to Ben when he was tiny. Four big spreads of babies/toddlers playing, bathing, brushing their hair and tickling make up a simple story. The babies and adults are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, the faces and bodies are expressive, and the fun, simple text is easy to expand as you chat with baby about what's in the pictures or join in the tickling. The format is big and light, making it easy to share or prop open in front of a baby doing tummy time. I was surprised at how long Ben has enjoyed it - he's picked it to read several times recently, even though he's also enjoying much longer books. - 12/2014

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 1001 CBYMRBYGU. This review, I caution you, will be longer than the entire book. In fact, by the time you read up to this point in the review, you have already read more words than are to be found in this book. It’s a short book. Seventeen words in total. But I can imagine that one family might read this book, with its little seventeen words, ten times, fifty times, maybe even a hundred times. You just know little bambinos would love this book that much.

“Squelch, squelch, in the mud,
splish, splash, scrub-a-dub….”

[Paris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is suitable for Pre-K, ages 4-5. However, children learning to read at 3 years old could also benefit from the short words. It shows different ways that children can groom themselves before bed. It also has multi-racial illustrations. I would read this book and have students discuss and maybe draw a picture of the things they do to get ready for school or bed to introduce them to sequencing.

[Cherene · Rating 3 out of 5]

1001 Children's Books list
Age group: 0-3
Their list: 26/1001
My list: 21/1001

Why they say you should read it? A pioneer of board books in the 1980's, Oxenbury is famous for her bold outlines and bold colors without much clutter.

I'm not even sure what to review. Imagery wise, I do believe it works better for toddlers.

My kids thoughts? Okay.... Next book!

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very limited text...basically one stanza of a poem. I like the illustrations and that they represent a variety of cultures. I wanted a longer book. If I had the series, I would have moved onto the next book and felt more satisfied, but on its own, just too short, though it does invite a tickle from parent to baby or toddler to parent in return.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Babies love this book! They get a feel for some fun words ("squelch," "scrub-a-dub") and it is easy to incorporate physical movements with the reading ("gently brush your hair"). It's also very, very short, which makes it a great book for very young babies who are just starting to become interested in being read to.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the diversity of the babies and parents. Love that there are men and women caring for the babies. This is a book that was fun for my 2 year old to read with his baby sister. She likes the bright colors, pictures, and tickles, and he likes to do the motions with her. Fun book... Wish it was a bit longer.

[Rachael]

This is my baby's new favorite- he always smiles when I open the page. I was a bit surprised- the illustrations didn't seem like they would appeal to young babies. I also like how little text there is- it's easy to remember the rhyme and I can repeat it to him during the day and he lights up when he hears it