Laundry Day

by Jessixa Bagley

“I’m bored,” said Tic.

“Me too,” said Tac.

What do two bored badgers do when they’ve done everything, including driving their mother around the bend?

Laundry, of course.

What could possibly go wrong?

In this spirited picture book, Tic and Tac, two adorable badgers, get a little carried away while helping their mom out with the laundry.

A Neal Porter Book

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

24 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 2017

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

Tic and Tac, two badger boys are draping themselves over the homesite pronouncing themselves "bored." This was a word my mother never allowed. "Boredom is a choice. Don't make it." This was her retort to anyone foolish enough to mention any version of the word in her presence. You say it again, argue or guffaw at her response? You have an entire day's worth of chores - not the bearable ones. And when those are done she'd rent you out to the neighbors. Ma Badger was more tolerant than my mother, but her mind went in the same direction. But those badger boys wouldn't have made it at my house, because they didn't learn their lesson. . .but I but their mother did!

The kids were amused at this book. When I thought to explain to them about clotheslines, one part of my group reminded me that their mother used hers in good weather, so they were experts. The discussion from there went to debate dryer results v clothesline results - an awareness victory of sorts.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tic and Tac were two bored badgers. Having exhausted all of their own play ideas, they turned to their busy mother for inspirations, and after rejecting any number of ideas - building forts, fishing, etc. - they jumped on her suggestion that they help her by hanging up their laundry. Discovering to their surprise that they really enjoy this activity, these badger brothers decide to go one better, and find some more things that need hanging up...

An amusing tale of two meline brothers and their misadventure "helping" their mother with one of her daily chores, Laundry Day is the third picture-book from talented author/artist Jessixa Bagley, following upon her Boats for Papa and Before I Leave . Although not as touching as those earlier titles, which addressed the loss of a parent, and the experience of moving away from a friend, the story here is fun and engaging, offering a fairly realistic depiction of two energetic youngsters and the trouble they inadvertently get into. The artwork, done in pen and watercolor, is quite appealing, capturing Tic and Tac's mischievous antics perfectly. Recommended to anyone looking for new picture-books featuring fun stories about children (or badgers) getting into mischief.

[ReadingMommy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There wasn't anything "bad" about this book, there just wasn't anything good about it either. There are two brothers who are bored, and their mom suggests they help her finish hanging the laundry out to dry and they hang everything on the clothing line. To me there wasn't a lesson learned nor was it very entertaining. However, my kids thought it was hilarious to point out the bizarre items that had been hung up.

[Meredith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sucks that Ma Badger doesn't have a washer or dryer. Don't buy that the toilet seat would be held up by 4 clothespins.

[Josie Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could possibly pair with Bored Nothing to Do. Maybe for thinking about consequences, too?

[Alanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with the preschoolers for our curriculum.
Laundry Day is a story about two brothers Tic and Tac who get bored and decide to help their mom with laundry.
Overall the kids liked the story. The book started to pull their attention when Tic and Tac started hanging random things on the clothesline. The only drawback is the art style is a little outdated.

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tic and Tac, two young badgers, are bored. Mama Badger, in between washing voluminous loads of laundry, suggests some traditional activities: read a book, build a fort, go fishing. They protest that they’ve already done those things. Everyone is happy when Mama finally hits on a great idea. Tic and Tac can help her by hanging the laundry while she heads to the store. While she’s gone, not only do the energetic youngsters hang the laundry, but they continue on to hang every item they can find anywhere in the house! Any mother with rambunctious children has shared Mama Badger’s chagrin at seeing where her sons’ energy has led them. Luckily, Mama takes it all in stride, and the badgers’ punishment fits their crime. In keeping with the upbeat tone of the story, bright yellows and cheery pastels dominate the color palette. Though it seems a departure from her previous book, Boats for Papa, Bagley has written another story that at its heart reveals a loving relationship between mother and child.

[Bant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how ridiculous this one is.

[Kelly Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tic and Tac are young badgers who are bored! bored children of any species is never good, but in a book it is really entertaining. When Ma Badger goes to town after leaving Tic and Tac alone to hang the laundry on the line the two boys find many things to hang on the line before Ma comes home. To say she is surprised is an understatement. I'm not sure if the meaning of the story is "all boys, no matter the age, need supervision," or " Boys left to their own devices, make their own fun"? Either way it makes for a great story to read to those kids who love a good story or those who are bored? Enjoy!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bagley, Jessixa Laundry Day. PICTURE BOOK. Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan). 2017. $17.99. Content: G.

Kids are often bored just like Tic and Tac. Their mother gives them lots of suggestions for things to do, but they've already done them all. They decided to join in on her laundry chore to fill their time.

My preschooler and I both really enjoyed reading this book together. The objects Tic and Tac hang on the laundry line is entertaining and comical. This is a book she will request to read again. The story line is simple yet full of fun.


EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Amy, Elementary Teacher.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Carol V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join two badgers as they help mama hang out the laundry. Only thing is they don't want to stop till they have everything in the house on the line except the kitchen sink! Readers will be entertained! Be sure to locate the two mice on each turn of the page! They do some funny things, too!

This is another great book by Jessixa Bagley. She wrote Boats for Papa, which was one of my top favorites in 2015. I like the way she launched Laundry Day, in Feb. 2017. Read her blog: http://jessixabagley.blogspot.com/201...

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just plain fun.
Fun language: "...pilfered the pots," "...pirated pillows," ...and looted lampshades... " not to mention, "I wonder if Ma needs help with dinner!"
Fun ideas: boredom can result in the most amazing adventures,
Fun illustrations: hanging toilet paper and gold fish bowl on the line, Tic and Tac hanging on the line, even her book "Boats for Papa" hanging on the line. Unfortunately, "Boats for Papa" is not a happy fun story.
Even though the illustrations hold a lot of detail, I can imagine cuddling, exploring, and giggling my way though with a preschooler!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

What mother hasn't encountered their bored children and offered suggestions to get them busy or involved. These two loveable characters, Tic and Tac the badgers finally take Mama's suggestion to hang up the laundry for her and naturally Tic and Tac just take this fun chore to the extreme. A fun title, but I do wonder how many children know the fun of hanging laundry on the line. Just today as I passed some Amish farms I saw laundry hanging on the line and remembered the time spent with Mom hanging laundry on the line, in the days of no dryers.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tic and Tac are bored, so when Mom suggests helping her hang the laundry on the line, they go for it. And they have so much fun they keep on hanging things on the line. When Mom gets back from the market and sees almost everything they own hung up on the line, what does she do? She hangs Tic and Tac up too! This would work better as a one-on-one rather than storytime, to allow young readers the time to pick out and giggle at everything that Tic and Tac hang up.

[Laura Giessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will find it hilarious to notice all the different items that Tic and Tac hang on the line! For the most fun, need to read one on one or have a way for kids to be able to see the details in the pictures. A good book for predicting. I loved the alliteration and vocab: whatnot, bauble, trinket, knickknack, bric-a-brac. "They grabbed buckets and boots...pilfered pots...pirated pillows...looted lampshades..."

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book about laundry day. Familiarize young ones with the idea of hanging clothes out on a line to dry. This one is about two little badgers who are having way too much fun helping Ma. Pair this with Mrs. Mc Nosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks or the wordless picture book Laundry Day by Maurie J. Manning.

[Frances Hotchkiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two young badgers are bored and begin playing with their mother's laundry even before she suggests they help hang it up. The illustrations are cute and it is fun to look for the two mice to see where they might be hiding in the laundry. This is a good book to use one on one. The illustrations are bright and colorful but I think a little too busy and small to use for a large group.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tic an Tac are bored. Their mother suggests activities that they dismiss as they have already done them. Mother suggests that they hang up the laundry. They have so much fun that they hang more and more items that shouldn't be hung. This shows that sometimes too much is is not a good thing!
I love stories that have a lesson!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, lively story! Tic and Tac get a bit carried away helping Ma hang the washing, and they end up hanging "everything they could find that wasn't nailed down." There are lots of fun and interesting words that young readers/listeners will enjoy learning such as bauble, trinket, and bric-a-brac to name a few.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute picture book about two bored brothers who decide to help their mother hang the laundry and get a little carried away. This will make a fun readaloud, but a better lap read because the illustrations have a lot of funny details that will be most appreciated under closer examination.

*I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was smiling pretty much the whole time I was reading this! First off, I love Jessixa Bagley. Secondly, what a fun idea this book was. Thirdly, that two page spread when Ma came home and hollered was splendid! Fourthly, she draws really cute animals. This would be a GREAT one-on-one book.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Bagley's sense of humor!

Tic and Tac are bored badgers who get a little carried away when they help mom hang the laundry. Kids who have never seen clothes hung on a a clothes line will be intrigued.

Delightfully funny illustrations.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good idea to get the kids busy helping with the laundry. These two badgers hand everything up on the clothesline they can find. And what does Mama find to hang at the end. Cute ending and lots of fun to read aloud and show kids how laundry was hung out to dry once upon a time.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the story and the illustrations, and I do think that kids will get a kick out of all the weird things the two young badgers hang on the clotheslines; and I really liked the double page spread of all the clotheslines tied to all the trees, crisscrossing a large area of their yard.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two badgers get a little carried away helping their mother hang clothes out to dry and end up hanging up every household object that they can get their hands on.

Funny and fresh with beautifully detailed artwork. Highly recommended for PreK-2.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming story of two young badgers who take hanging laundry to new heights in a quest to stave off boredom and and have fun. As usual Bagley's pages are filled with details for little ones to find.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Laundry Day by Jessixa Bagley, two bored badgers get into a laundry hanging cycle and can't stop hanging stuff up! Uh, oh. What will happen when mom comes home and sees the mess they made? Amusing illustrations will be fun to explore over and over again. For ages 3 - 6.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might work as CLEL bell play. I did not like it as much as Boats for Papa, but I can see it as fun for parents and preschoolers, especially at the end of summer.

Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2017

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laundry Day was a cute book with colorful illustrations. I like how Tic and Tac went from being bored with nothing to do, to using everyday items around the house to occupy their time and entertain themselves. I hope this will inspire some creative, frugal ways for children to have fun.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see a lot of my mother, my brother and myself in this book, which makes it cute and relatable. It's a simple concept but charmingly executed. Beautiful illustrations and I loved all the details in the end papers (including hanging Bagley's earlier book "Boats for Papa" on the laundry line too).