101 Reasons Why I'm Not Taking a Bath

by Stacy McAnulty, Joy Ang (Illustrations)

No one likes baths. What a waste of time! There’s so much more important stuff to do! Plus, baths are super dangerous for a number of reasons. You want me to list a few? Most household accidents happen in the bathroom. Scientific fact! A kid in Texas turned into a prune after taking a bath. Scientific fact!
 
If you need more evidence, allow me to point you to an excellent book called 101 Reasons Why I'm Not Taking a Bath. It’s full of insightful and logical reasons why you should definitely not be subjected to this useless ritual. Joy Ang and Stacy McAnulty really understand how dumb baths are, and have done a top-notch job of demonstrating why.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Kids

40 pages, Library Binding

First published July 26, 2016

About the author

Stacy McAnulty is a children’s book author, who used to be a mechanical engineer, who’s also qualified to be a paleontologist (NOT REALLY), a correspondent for The Daily Show (why not), and a Green Bay Packer coach (totally!). She is the 2017 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Recipient for Excellent Ed, illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach. Her other picture books include Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years, illustrated by David Litchfield; Brave and Beautiful, both illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff; Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite, illustrated by Edward Hemingway; and 101 Reasons Why I’m Not Taking a Bath, illustrated by Joy Ang. She’s also authored the chapter book series Goldie Blox, based on the award-winning toys, and The Dino Files. Her debut middle grade novel, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, will publish in 2018. When not writing, Stacy likes to listen to NPR, bake triple-chocolate cupcakes, and eat triple-chocolate cupcakes. Originally from upstate NY, she now lives in Kernersville, NC with her 3 kids, 2 dogs, and 1 husband.

Reviews

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

101 Reasons Why I'm Not Taking A Bath was a silly look at one boy's excuses for skipping a bath. This hardcover edition, illustrated by Joy Ang offered vivid illustrations that will have your youngster giggling. Geared towards children aged three to seven, I can see this appealing to young boys. The inside jacket invites kids to read with a, "Psst Hey, you! You trying to GET OUT OF A BATH? Well, stick with me kid- I've got EVERY EXCUSE in the book!" The tale was silly, including passages sure to induce giggles like, "and water makes my fingers wrinkly. And my toes. And my butt. (At least I think it does.)" or, "I've seen an invisible crocodile in the tub. I mean I've heard an invisible crocodile in the tub." Of course, none of his excuses work and ultimately he gets a bath and enjoys it. Sophia loved the illustrations as the pages are very colorful and the boy just looks dirtier and dirtier as the story progresses. The way in which the narrative is told, makes it feel as if the boy is telling the reader or adult why he isn't taking a bath.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a mix for me. Some parts were funny where I actually chuckled out loud, but then some parts just didn't work for me. I do LOVE the end papers in this one though.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is the case for many youngsters, the narrator is simply determined not to take a bath--no matter what. In fact, he offers many reasons--101, to be exact--why he doesn't need to get cleaned up. Some are absurd while others make good sense or are pretty practical. After exhausting all his excuses--and probably exhausting his caregiver as well--he succumbs to the pressure and finally gets in the tub. He has so much fun playing in the water with his boat and other bath toys that he now refuses to get out. Although the story is a familiar one to anyone whose ever lived with a child, it still brought a smile to my face because of the many justifications for no bath offered by the young narrator and by the turnaround at the end. The digital illustrations--at least I think they are digital illustrations--are interesting since they play with perspective and show his head to be much larger than his other body parts in most of the scenes.

[Marfita · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very dirty little boy comes up with as many excuses as he can to not take a bath. He has a point about the permanent marker and I really like the "self-cleaning button." Once he gets in the tub with his boat and shark, he doesn't want to come out. I know my plastic dinosaurs kept me in the tub until I was all prune-y.
Now he needs excuses to not get out of the tub.
Ummm, cute. Parents might find it cuter than kids.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The format distinguishes this book from others with similar theme and content. McAnulty 's character actually lists the reasons in telling this story. I could see this as a mentor text for students to write other 10 reason books. It could be a good partner read since partners could take turns reading each of the reasons.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book! It's hilarious, entertaining and so much fun to read! The author comes up with some very creative reasons. The illustrations are fabulous and delightful! I think any child would enjoy reading this book. Young non-readers can have the book read to them and still enjoy it immensely.

I received this complimentary book through Goodreads and I'm so glad I did!

[Cosette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bah. humbug.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

6/8/2024 - A fun and silly story for when you want a lighter read with your child.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is 101 Reasons Why I’m Not Taking A Bath, written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Joy Ang, a fun book about a reluctant boy trying to negotiate his way out of bathtime.

Is it bathtime? No way! The little boy addressing the reader will NOT be taking a bath today, and he has plenty of reasons why; 101, in fact. He’s not even dirty, for one. Monsters live in the tub drain, for another (okay, he didn’t see them, but he HEARD them). None of his friends are taking baths, and he is allergic to soap. And on it goes, with the little boy exploring every avenue of negotiation to talk his way out of bathtime. But when he finally does get into his bubble bath, he realizes it may not be so bad… until it’s time to get out.

This was a fun book that anyone with bath-averse little ones will get a kick out of. The little boy’s reasons are increasingly silly and inane, and while the straightforward list-like nature of the text may not be as exciting for younger baby bookworms, it’s the type of comedy that slightly older kids eat right up. The illustrations fit the tone of the humor well, with exaggerated expressions and gestures that give us a sense of the theatricality of the little boy’s arguments. The length is good, and JJ enjoyed it fine. A funny, silly book about the universal struggle that is bathtime, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pulled this book out to read to the kids tonight after a particularly long bath time negotiation earlier in the evening.

One child exclaimed, "Finally! A book that makes sense!"
Then both kids proceeded to laugh through most of the book.

That's why it gets 5 stars.

It's mainly a little boy listing all his reasons against bath time to a parent, but it's hysterically funny. The illustrations work perfectly with the text.

[DeLeon Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love McAnulty's sense of humor, and in this particular book, she provides plenty of hilarious moments! Why stop at one when children can come up with plenty of reasons not to do something? And although their excuses are not always convincing, we have to give them some credit for such a wild imagination. And this boy makes a case for skipping his bath and then, for not wanting to come out of it.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed aloud at many of this kid's excuses for not getting in the tub:

Aliens might attack while I'm in the bath.

Ghosts haunt the soap dish.

I wasn't wild about Joy Ang's illustrations, but otherwise this was a fun story.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade: K-2
Genre: Fiction
I enjoyed reading this book. It was really cute reading all of the reasons why he did not want to take a bath, when the main reason he did not want to take a bath is because he was scared. It does not tell you directly that he is scared to take a bath, but the audience should figure that out by clues. By the end of the story he completely changes his mind about his bath situation. Rate 5-5

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, the book quickly lists 101 reasons not to take a bath. This kid is pretty gross two. I love seeing the fingerprints on the calendar when he touched it. Funny. It's also very funny.

It didn't list the artwork, but it does look digital to me. The kids are cute and the dirt is extra dirty.

I think kids will laugh with this. It's good. So, we does end up in the bath at the end and it's worth it just to see that end part. LOVE.

[Hailey Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: contemporary realistic
Reading Level: elementary

This book would be an interesting read for young students who hate baths! He give 101 reasons why he shouldn’t need to bathe and then once he’s in the bath he has so much fun he will give 102 reasons why he doesn’t want to get out! It’s a cute story.

[Jenna Grodzicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as the title suggests, this hilarious book lists 101 reasons why the main character doesn't want to take a bath. My 7 year old son thoroughly enjoyed this book and has read it multiple times in the past few days. We especially loved the twist at the end! Young readers who have ever dreaded bath time will relate perfectly to this story.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy has some pretty dramatic and creative reasons as to why he doesn’t need to take a bath. Aliens might attack while he’s in the tub. He has a self cleaning button like the oven. Dragons live behind the towel rack. You name it. But nothing can convince the unseen parent that he should pass on the bath.

Cute and I love the cat.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guess what, little Mr. 101? Baths are for OTHER people, who might have to smell you.

That said, I'll give my opinion ofthis cleverly titled picture book.

This book could be very-very funny to kids. Even to grownups. My favorite:

"Look! I have a self-cleaning button like the oven."

Funny ending, sure. I'll give this book FIVE STARS for sheer spunk.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is so an argument I have had with a 52 year old man recently. And I am pretty sure my brother gave these same reasons as a child. It’s a cute book, but too long for story time. But it would be fun for bath time, or bedtime.

[Keri Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kid cracks me up. I didn't actually read if there were 101 reasons, but it sure seemed like it. Joy Ang once again illustrated perfectly to depict this humorous writing (like Baby Mustache). Students will be make excuses right along with this cute but obviously dirty little boy!

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this came first or if the Pigeon Needs a Bath came first but it is essentially the same thing. Loads of reasons to not bathe concluding with loads of reasons to not get out of the tub.

[Sue Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and so accurate for little boys! Love this book and the illustrations!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but I think this appeals to parents more than kids.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The little dude in the book does not want to take a bath and gives (not quite) 101 reasons why. It's a cute book with great illustrations.

[Tracy J Hora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any little one who just doesn't want to take a bath (and even those who love their bath) will relate to this engaging story.

[Monica Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this during storytime at our library. The kids absolutely loved it. They laughed the whole way through and kept repeating, He is so ridiculous!"

[Kenson and kirra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with most of these-- ages 5 and 3

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This hilarious story is about a boy who has 101 reasons why he will not get in the bathtub. My kids were cracking up at all the reasons and recalled using some of the same excuses themselves.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe I remember using at least a few of these arguments myself...

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very dirty little boy refuses to take a bath. He comes up with 101 reasons to avoid the bath. Funny ending.