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Mr. Archimedes' Bath
Shows how Archimedes might have discovered the principle of water displacement had he lived "down under" in Australia
32 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 1980
8 people are currently reading
585 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Allen
111 books83 followersPamela Kay Allen MNZM AM, born in 1934 in Devonport, New Zealand, is a celebrated children's author and illustrator.
Since the release of her first book, Mr. Archimedes' Bath, in 1980, she has written and illustrated over 50 picture books, selling over five million copies. Renowned for works like Who Sank the Boat?.
Allen has received numerous accolades, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award and the Margaret Mahy Medal. Her books have been adapted for the stage and are beloved worldwide. Now residing in Auckland, she remains an icon in children's literature.
Since the release of her first book, Mr. Archimedes' Bath, in 1980, she has written and illustrated over 50 picture books, selling over five million copies. Renowned for works like Who Sank the Boat?.
Allen has received numerous accolades, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award and the Margaret Mahy Medal. Her books have been adapted for the stage and are beloved worldwide. Now residing in Auckland, she remains an icon in children's literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 1, 2015
When reading this to a small group of children, some of them enjoyed this, others thought it just silly and a couple thought it to be on the lame side. So a very mixed reaction.
Those that liked it got a kick out of Mr Archimedes trying to figure out what was happening with the bath water. One child kept laughing because the man is naked (and if you do not want your children seeing a naked cartoon guy avoid this book) and sent the kids on some giggle fits. Others were bored with the repetition. The really little kids (age 3-4) seem to be most likely to enjoy but by age 5-6 they lose interest.
What I didn't like was there are a lot of accusations flying around about who is responsible for the bath water but when the answer is found no apology or anything. This could have been a great opportunity to teach kids that when the accuse or say something that isn't true and later learn they were wrong, they should be able to admit that and apologize to those they wronged. So a perfect lesson opportunity lost. And in this day and age, being sure to teach children about manners, responsibility and respect seem crucial.
Otherwise, it was a cute, amusing read.
Those that liked it got a kick out of Mr Archimedes trying to figure out what was happening with the bath water. One child kept laughing because the man is naked (and if you do not want your children seeing a naked cartoon guy avoid this book) and sent the kids on some giggle fits. Others were bored with the repetition. The really little kids (age 3-4) seem to be most likely to enjoy but by age 5-6 they lose interest.
What I didn't like was there are a lot of accusations flying around about who is responsible for the bath water but when the answer is found no apology or anything. This could have been a great opportunity to teach kids that when the accuse or say something that isn't true and later learn they were wrong, they should be able to admit that and apologize to those they wronged. So a perfect lesson opportunity lost. And in this day and age, being sure to teach children about manners, responsibility and respect seem crucial.
Otherwise, it was a cute, amusing read.
Read
February 1, 2020*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘Mr Archimedes’ bath always overflowed
And Mr Archimedes always had to clean up the mess.
Can anyone tell me where all this water came from?’
First published in 1980, Mr Archimedes’ Bath has seen many reprints in is day and it now celebrates 40 years of entertaining young readers. A humorous story of a man, a bathtub and whole lot of animals, this is a classic story book that should be on the shelves of all homes, schools and libraries.
Mr Archimedes’ Bath presents a fun way to test an age old theory. Employing the use of a gaggle of animals, Mr Archimedes examines what happens when you have a group of friends all using the same bathtub. What does the water do? Does it stay at the same level, or does it overflow? Mr Archimedes scratches his head and considers if it could be a particular animal friend causing the extra water to appear. Either, way Mr Archimedes is the man for the job and he is going to do all he can to solve this extraordinary problem!
Mr Archimedes’ Bath has been a firm fixture in my reading life for many years. First as a child, I recall being introduced to this book in primary school. It produced a sense of wonderment and inquiry in me as a young student. Then, in my later life as a teacher and mother of two children, I have been able to share this book in a different way. I do believe Mr Archimedes’ Bath is a staple text, it is one classic tale that should be enjoyed across many stages, whether it be in the home, school, daycare centre or library. There is a place for this very original story!
Mr Archimedes is definitely a bumbling character, full of quirk, who possess an inquisitive nature. I also loved the animals that support Mr Archimedes on his scientific bathtub journey. I especially liked the placement of the Australian animals in this text, such as the kangaroo character and the wombat.
From a teaching point of view, I could see Mr Archimedes’ Bath slotting easily into the science and mathematics categories. In science, there is an opportunity to discuss and even test the Archimedes principle. In mathematics, students could be directed towards the measurement strands of weight, mass, volume and capacity. It is great to have a book such as Mr Archimedes’ Bath as a stimulus.
Mr Archimedes’ Bath represents the first book that Pamela Allen both wrote and illustrated. Allen had the idea of penning a children’s picture book around the common and everyday practice of bath time for young children. She was able to produce a story around the displacement of water. Allen poses the central question of, where does all the water come from? With the Australian animals supporting Mr Archimedes on his water quest, the story was complete. It seems to have been a favourite across four decades and it has been also been recognised by The Children’s Book Council Awards and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.
If you haven’t been introduced to Mr Archimedes’ Bath, a time honoured picture book, do add it to your resource list, it is a book that could be utilised in any setting.
*I wish to thank Harper Collins Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
‘Mr Archimedes’ bath always overflowed
And Mr Archimedes always had to clean up the mess.
Can anyone tell me where all this water came from?’
First published in 1980, Mr Archimedes’ Bath has seen many reprints in is day and it now celebrates 40 years of entertaining young readers. A humorous story of a man, a bathtub and whole lot of animals, this is a classic story book that should be on the shelves of all homes, schools and libraries.
Mr Archimedes’ Bath presents a fun way to test an age old theory. Employing the use of a gaggle of animals, Mr Archimedes examines what happens when you have a group of friends all using the same bathtub. What does the water do? Does it stay at the same level, or does it overflow? Mr Archimedes scratches his head and considers if it could be a particular animal friend causing the extra water to appear. Either, way Mr Archimedes is the man for the job and he is going to do all he can to solve this extraordinary problem!
Mr Archimedes’ Bath has been a firm fixture in my reading life for many years. First as a child, I recall being introduced to this book in primary school. It produced a sense of wonderment and inquiry in me as a young student. Then, in my later life as a teacher and mother of two children, I have been able to share this book in a different way. I do believe Mr Archimedes’ Bath is a staple text, it is one classic tale that should be enjoyed across many stages, whether it be in the home, school, daycare centre or library. There is a place for this very original story!
Mr Archimedes is definitely a bumbling character, full of quirk, who possess an inquisitive nature. I also loved the animals that support Mr Archimedes on his scientific bathtub journey. I especially liked the placement of the Australian animals in this text, such as the kangaroo character and the wombat.
From a teaching point of view, I could see Mr Archimedes’ Bath slotting easily into the science and mathematics categories. In science, there is an opportunity to discuss and even test the Archimedes principle. In mathematics, students could be directed towards the measurement strands of weight, mass, volume and capacity. It is great to have a book such as Mr Archimedes’ Bath as a stimulus.
Mr Archimedes’ Bath represents the first book that Pamela Allen both wrote and illustrated. Allen had the idea of penning a children’s picture book around the common and everyday practice of bath time for young children. She was able to produce a story around the displacement of water. Allen poses the central question of, where does all the water come from? With the Australian animals supporting Mr Archimedes on his water quest, the story was complete. It seems to have been a favourite across four decades and it has been also been recognised by The Children’s Book Council Awards and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.
If you haven’t been introduced to Mr Archimedes’ Bath, a time honoured picture book, do add it to your resource list, it is a book that could be utilised in any setting.
*I wish to thank Harper Collins Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
April 20, 2009
This book is a great introduction to the world of science for a young child.
It is inspired by the story of the original "Eureka" moment, when Archimedes stepped into the bath - the displacement of the water gave him the idea of how to solve a problem for the king.
In this picture book version the problem is that that the bath keeps overflowing. Who is causing the problem - is it the goat, the kangaroo, the wombat or Mr Archimedes himself? The Eureka moment is that Mr Archimedes discovers (through a series of experiments) that the overflowing is simply caused by having too many animals in the bath - not any one animal as was originally hypothesized.
It is inspired by the story of the original "Eureka" moment, when Archimedes stepped into the bath - the displacement of the water gave him the idea of how to solve a problem for the king.
In this picture book version the problem is that that the bath keeps overflowing. Who is causing the problem - is it the goat, the kangaroo, the wombat or Mr Archimedes himself? The Eureka moment is that Mr Archimedes discovers (through a series of experiments) that the overflowing is simply caused by having too many animals in the bath - not any one animal as was originally hypothesized.
April 15, 2023
This counts.
If I didn’t count books I read to my baby, this list would be empty. Baby says he likes looking at the picture and sniffing the pages. 5/5
If I didn’t count books I read to my baby, this list would be empty. Baby says he likes looking at the picture and sniffing the pages. 5/5
April 29, 2013
Mr Archimedes’ Bath by Pamela Allen
Mr Archimedes’ bath is always overflowing and he is left to tidy up the mess. But he cannot figure out who is causing the bath to overflow. He accuses Kangaroo, Goat and Wombat of overflowing the bath but then he realises that they are not causing the problem. They all take turn in getting in and out of the bath, making the water go up and down. Finally they realise that it is Mr Archimedes who is causing the bath to overflow. In the end, everyone jumps into the bath together while it is still overflowing but they are all having great fun as friends.
This book has a fascinating way of keeping children engaged in what is going to happen next. They can talk about how each of the characters are feeling throughout the story. The illustration of Mr Archimedes gives the children great entertainment as he is a giant pink man who is constantly jumping in and out of his bath wearing no clothes.
Mr Archimedes’ bath is always overflowing and he is left to tidy up the mess. But he cannot figure out who is causing the bath to overflow. He accuses Kangaroo, Goat and Wombat of overflowing the bath but then he realises that they are not causing the problem. They all take turn in getting in and out of the bath, making the water go up and down. Finally they realise that it is Mr Archimedes who is causing the bath to overflow. In the end, everyone jumps into the bath together while it is still overflowing but they are all having great fun as friends.
This book has a fascinating way of keeping children engaged in what is going to happen next. They can talk about how each of the characters are feeling throughout the story. The illustration of Mr Archimedes gives the children great entertainment as he is a giant pink man who is constantly jumping in and out of his bath wearing no clothes.
March 2, 2010
Good for the very basic principle discovered by Archimedes regarding buoyancy. Very basic. I wouldn't let my kids look at the book while I read it however because Mr. Archimedes was naked jumping in and out of the bathtub with his kangaroo and other other animal friends. I can't begin to express how absurd this is to me.
February 13, 2018
I like this book. This is a fun way to share knowledge of science and physics with the kids. Mr Archimedes went to bath with a goat, a wombat and a kangaroo. He couldn't understand why the water rose and spilled out every time he jumped into the bath tub with the animals. Hence, began a series of experiments and measurements, which led to that famous "Eureka" moment.
20-month old little-AJ wasn't quite interested in this book initially. I am guessing that is because the colour scheme of the illustrations is really dull. The goat, wombat and the kangaroo have the same brownish yellow colour, easily blended in with the almost similar coloured wall and the bath tub. Each of the coloured illustrations is alternated by a colorless sketch in brownish outlines.
I decided to make things fun. I brought out a transparent container, poured in some water, and threw little-AJ plastic animals into the container. The water immediately rose. I marked the water level with an ink pen, and removed all the plastic animals. The water level immediately went down. Little-AJ beamed with excitement. We spent many minutes throwing and removing animals in and out of the container, watching the water level rose up and went down. It was fun!
The story now seems to make more sense to little-AJ. He smiled seeing the pictures of animals and Mr Archimedes jumped in and out of the bath tub.
Some parents might feel uncomfortable watching a (little overweight) man climbing in and out of a bath tub, naked. I don't see an issue with it. Mr Archimedes was taking a bath, so it's only natural that he remained naked (in fact, it would be strange if he took his bath with full attire on).
I like this book. I love how it gives us a good opportunity to conduct our little experiment, and to discuss with kids the principle of Archimedes and displacement.
Blog review: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...
20-month old little-AJ wasn't quite interested in this book initially. I am guessing that is because the colour scheme of the illustrations is really dull. The goat, wombat and the kangaroo have the same brownish yellow colour, easily blended in with the almost similar coloured wall and the bath tub. Each of the coloured illustrations is alternated by a colorless sketch in brownish outlines.
I decided to make things fun. I brought out a transparent container, poured in some water, and threw little-AJ plastic animals into the container. The water immediately rose. I marked the water level with an ink pen, and removed all the plastic animals. The water level immediately went down. Little-AJ beamed with excitement. We spent many minutes throwing and removing animals in and out of the container, watching the water level rose up and went down. It was fun!
The story now seems to make more sense to little-AJ. He smiled seeing the pictures of animals and Mr Archimedes jumped in and out of the bath tub.
Some parents might feel uncomfortable watching a (little overweight) man climbing in and out of a bath tub, naked. I don't see an issue with it. Mr Archimedes was taking a bath, so it's only natural that he remained naked (in fact, it would be strange if he took his bath with full attire on).
I like this book. I love how it gives us a good opportunity to conduct our little experiment, and to discuss with kids the principle of Archimedes and displacement.
Blog review: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...
January 1, 2022
Mr. Archimedes’ Bath by Pamela Allen – Children’s illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of displacement of water from a tub by weight of a person. The book is inspired by the story of the original "Eureka" moment, when Archimedes stepped into the bath - the displacement of the water gave him the idea of how to solve a problem for the king. In this book, the problem of displacement of water from the tub has been shown in pictures in the form of overflowing bath tub. King has given the task to Archimedes to find out the reason. He has a measuring tape by which he examines the depth of water in the tub before and after someone enters the bath tub. Firs the blame is on the goat, the kangaroo, the wombat or Mr. Archimedes body himself. Through a series of experiments, the Eureka moment arrives- Mr. Archimedes discovers that the overflowing is simply caused by his own weight. I have read the translation of this book in Hindi language. The coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story.
May 8, 2017
By the author of 'Who Sank The Boat?' This is a fun way of learning about Archimedes Principle. He hops in and out of a bath with, variously a kangaroo, goat and wombat, examining the water level each time, and trying to understand why when ALL the friends are in the bath it always overflows.
Well illustrated. And, yes, he shouts "EUREKA!"
Well illustrated. And, yes, he shouts "EUREKA!"
February 20, 2018
Cute and funny when Mr aArchimedes and the animals couldn’t figure out how and why the water rose and fell. Very much like a tall person standing on the lower portion of a hill and a short person standing on the higher slope of the hill to be the same size - some kids don’t quite get the concept.
Want to read
November 24, 2021Contextualises the concept of displacement of water. Good for 'working scientifically skills'- observing and measuring. Continuous provision- range of objects placed in a container of water and see how it affects water levels.
December 18, 2021
The story is still good, except for all the shouting and anger on Mr Archimedes' part (probably not the best reaction to teach young kiddies!) but the pictures really need an update! They're still black and white. A colour version (like the cover) would be a good improvement.
September 29, 2025
My daughter giggled at the saggy bottom of Mr Archimedes which was in every page as he kept getting out of the bathtub to figure out water displacement. When he finally figured it out and shouted Eureka, I sighed in relief as that meant no more saggy bottoms.
February 10, 2020
Just stunning 40 years on. A classic for everyone.
July 25, 2021
A funny little story about how people displace water in a bath
August 20, 2022
Cute illustrations but a story that dulls through repetition.
July 26, 2023
F浮=ρ液gV排
December 17, 2023
Exceptionally refreshing to know of the very first principles learned and studied by people who preceded us. It's all thanks to time and these wonderful figures that humanity still strives today.
February 12, 2025
The book that started it all
November 19, 2025
Such a classic. I remember the librarian at my primary school (Mrs Puncheon) reading this to us!
February 25, 2020
An amusing read with an interesting focus on experimenting to find an answer to a question.
September 6, 2019
Simple picture book that looks at Archimedes Principle but is geared more at 2-4 year olds than 5-6 year olds. It kind of illustrates the water levels going up and down when displaced by mass but it's a simple story rather than really explaining the principle.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
September 20, 2014
At first, this book seems sensible. The bath keeps overflowing and Mr. Archimedes wants to know why. So he measures the water before taking a bath. Then he has one animal at a time get out of the bath to see who is causing the overflow. He remeasures the water each time.
But pretty quickly we are introduced to Mr. Archimedes' very gross naked backside. I could not think of one reason why this was necessary for this story. And why was he taking his bath will all of his animals? The math lesson of water displacement is a good one, but the story is accusatory (who is making all this mess?) and the naked man disturbing. This book could have been written with just a bathtub full of animals and it would have made sense and would have taught the lesson in a more fun way.
I would not recommend this book for children.
But pretty quickly we are introduced to Mr. Archimedes' very gross naked backside. I could not think of one reason why this was necessary for this story. And why was he taking his bath will all of his animals? The math lesson of water displacement is a good one, but the story is accusatory (who is making all this mess?) and the naked man disturbing. This book could have been written with just a bathtub full of animals and it would have made sense and would have taught the lesson in a more fun way.
I would not recommend this book for children.
August 2, 2020
Re-read
This is a classic of children's picture books so I remember being excited to bring this home to the smallest member of the household. At the time, they were uninterested in the book ... perhaps the art and colours were not wild enough to hold their attention? Fast forward a couple of years and we read this again, but this time it's a hit! It's possible that they may have explore the science behind this a little bit at school, or perhaps they performed their own experiments in the bath.
I'd say this is best for school-aged children, especially those who find bums hilarious.
This is a classic of children's picture books so I remember being excited to bring this home to the smallest member of the household. At the time, they were uninterested in the book ... perhaps the art and colours were not wild enough to hold their attention? Fast forward a couple of years and we read this again, but this time it's a hit! It's possible that they may have explore the science behind this a little bit at school, or perhaps they performed their own experiments in the bath.
I'd say this is best for school-aged children, especially those who find bums hilarious.
February 20, 2016
I have the vague feeling that I learnt about Archimedes and his 'Eureka!' moment as a child from reading this book. Bathtime was never the same again! As an adult, this book strikes me as somewhat perverse. Blobby wobbly naked old man jumps in and out of the bath with a kangaroo, wombat and goat. And yes, there's plenty of backside nudity. Sorry, but I found it gross.
July 31, 2010
I'm considering NOT reading this to my inquisitive kids... in...out...in...out...in....but why deny them a eureka moment of their own? Off now to read it to Connor.
Oh well - C (6) told me what the funny man was doing to the bath water by page 3. The Eureka moment was mine.
Oh well - C (6) told me what the funny man was doing to the bath water by page 3. The Eureka moment was mine.
January 21, 2014
Funny book which also helps explain a basic scientific principle. Made even more enjoyable for adult reader and child listener when the animal characters overflowing the bath are given different voices/accents ... Hours of fun!
June 27, 2014
Every day it’s the same story: Mr. Archimedes, the goat, the kangaroo, and wombat climb into the bathtub and the water spills over the tub. Mr. Archimedes is determined to get to the heart of the problem. Funny little take on an old story.
May 6, 2015
This is an odd introduction to Archimede’s discovery about water displacement. It was just o.k. for me. I don’t think young readers will understand the concept since they will be too focused on giggling at the naked weirdo jumping in and out of the tub.
September 20, 2015
I'm all for making science fun and accessible and understandable but this book was silly. I also had no appreciation for the 'whose fault is it?!?' accusatory tone of the book.
p.s. I seriously doubt Archimedes ever came across a wombat, never mind shared a bath with one.
p.s. I seriously doubt Archimedes ever came across a wombat, never mind shared a bath with one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews