Scaredy Bath

by Zoë Foster Blake

Bath-time is fun! There's the bubbles, the bath toys and lots of splashing of course. But have you ever wondered what it's like for the bath?

Scaredy Bath does not like bath time . . . the piping hot water, the gooey muck and especially not the small boisterous grubby ones that shout and splash and make Scaredy all mucky! What's a bath to do? Will Scaredy Bath ever enjoy bath time?

Scaredy Bath is a delightful new addition to Zoe's much-loved brand of picture books that celebrate the ups and downs of family life. Joyously brought to life by the hilarious splash-filled illustrations of Daniel Gray-Barnett.
'Funny, imaginative, and subversive - sure to be a read-aloud favorite.' Kirkus Reviews

'Foster Blake has a talent for finding the unexpected in the unexceptional (bath time, bedtime, burps and farts).' Sydney Morning Herald

'Original, well-written, and hilarious.' Weekend Notes

Also available from Zoe Foster
No One Likes a Fart
Fart and Burp are Superstinkers
Back to Sleep
Scaredy Bath
Battle Mum

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens

Audible Audio

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

Zoë Foster Blake is an Australian author and the founder of Go-To skin care. Yes, she is writing this in third person.

Zoë writes mostly for young women, because she thinks they're wonderful and deserve nice books.

Zoë has published five fiction titles, THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON, AIR KISSES, PLAYING THE FIELD, THE YOUNGER MAN and THE WRONG GIRL (made into a network TV series in Australia).

Zoë has also written four non-fiction titles: a dating and relationship guide called TEXTBOOK ROMANCE, (written with Hamish Blake), AMAZINGER FACE, a compilation of beauty tips and tricks, BREAK-UP BOSS, (also an app) and LOVE!, essays from a decade spent writing relationship advice. She published CLEAN SLATE, an Audible Original about infidelity in a seemingly perfect marriage in 2020.

She also writes picture books: NO ONE LIKES A FART, which won the ABIA Children’s Picture Book of the Year in 2018 because farts are where it’s AT, BACK TO SLEEP, FART AND BURP ARE SUPERSTINKERS (titled NO ONE LIKES A BURP in the US), SCAREDY BATH, BATTLE MUM, HAPPY FARTER’S DAY, and BEST PRESENT EVER.

When she's not updating her goodreads bio she's writing her new novel, out Oct 2026.

Reviews

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super short listen; quick and fun read about how a bath dreads bath time. Perfect for little readers.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“The toilet rumbled ‘think about what I have to put up with!’”

A room so important for family time when the kids were young that it does demand it’s own book, but a place that I’ve escaped to throughout my whole life for my own mind time… maybe I should call it my panic/safe room! A place where we can be suspended in a very different physical and mental scenario so it’s understandable to hear that it’s got views on how it’s used for all sorts of cleaning needs, for me including scrubbing clothes and fish tanks!

A lovely dedication to a great piece of furniture that I still think should be in every house, and has me reminiscing about great tubs that have welcomed, comforted and assisted me over the years - I write this while preparing a standard morning one - thanks bath! I’ll bear in mind that you might also be scared sometimes… 🛀

[Our Weekend Is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine being a bathtub and dreading bath time. This is exactly how Scaredy Bath feels, making it an entertaining and delightful read. As Scaredy Bath points out, being a bath has many terrible aspects such as hot water, splashing children, and dirty water. His fellow bathroom fixtures also chime in. Seeing the toilet weigh in on what he has to deal with made my son and I laugh out loud. When Scaredy Bath's family goes away on vacation he begins to realize that he misses them and that maybe bath time wasn't so bad after all.

The idea that a bathtub has feelings is an intriguing storyline that got my son thinking about the times he's been too loud or wild in the tub. This storyline is well supported by adorable illustrations that show all of the bathtub's emotions.

This book is a fun and unique read that will be enjoyed by young children and adults.

This review first appeared on YA Book Central and can be found here https://www.yabookscentral.com/scared...

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tasmanian illustrator Daniel Gray-Barnett brings a bright yellow bathtub to life building empathy for all a bathtub has to endure in a family of rowdy, dirty children and a big fluffy dog. So it decided to pull up legs and leave. Soon, predictably, it became lonely and return to the bathroom, welcoming even the children after a day at the beach. A final scene with a gentle bath to a new baby brings readers to a satisfying, "Ahhhh" ending. Of particular note are the delightfully fun illustrations with much kid-appeal and a few nude bums.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most kids will get a big kick out of this book -- it's not the kids that don't want to take a bath; it's the bathtub that is afraid. The toilet and the sink also contribute to the discussion. Bathtub is just terrified of those kids. Until, one day, they don't show up. Or the next. Have the kids given up on taking baths?

There is a bit of pee and poop in the book - which kids will love.
Share this with that kid that hates to take a bath.

[Jennifer Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great addition to children’s literature. It offers both laughs and important lessons. Parents who want to make bath time more fun for their kids should read this book. It also helps teach bravery and adventure.

[Kelly]

It's meh.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny. Would read during storytime.

[Eden · Rating 2 out of 5]

The bathtub develops a pee fetish. Need I say more?

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

HOlt-Delhi library PJ story time 02-08-2023

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this turn of events, the bathtub is afraid of the children. Very cute.

[kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh

[Kaylee Harkness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable and funny bedtime story book!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why the bath changes its mind, but I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder.