The marvelous mud washing machine

by Patty Wolcott, Richard Brown (Illustrator)

After a hard day of play, a boy is called inside for dinner, but sent away to wash up first. He happens upon a Marvelous Mud Washing Machine in the forest behind his home, enters in one end, completes a series of steps to get clean, and comes out on the other end a shiny, clean child. Emphasis is placed on the word marvelous throughout the text.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1974

Reviews

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a child. I would love to purchase one for my children. I would read over and over.

[Liz H {Redd's Reads} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something recently triggered my memory for this book, so I got a copy through the library to refresh my nostalgia. My grandmother had a copy that I remember loving. I didn't remember, or realize, that it only had 10 words throughout the entire book because I more remembered the art of the machine's washing process. I still love the illustration and the use of larger words like "marvelous" but the rhythm feels a little off for a few of the pages as an adult. I would still have fun sharing this with its intended audience though!

[Mary Spoore]

My Mother-In-Law bought this book for one of my daughters in the mid-seventies. It was an instant favourite and continued to be thoughout the childhoods of my other children. I kept it for my grand-children and all eleven of them have loved it. Now I have a great grand-child to enjoy it too. I have never seen this book anywhere else, so it has been mended many times and the old sticky tape has left brown marks. It's still a favourite. No other book has impressed the children of my family so much. So I decided to Google Patty Wolcott and this website has come up. It's good to be able to leave this review.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a simple example of one of those beginning to read books. The washing machine that the boy finds in the forest behind his house of all places looks like a feeble attempt at a cross between a Dr. Suess style musical instrument and the plumbing at the Crayola Factory in Easton, PA. It's very colorful, hard to make sense of, and probably not functional for the most part. If you read this, don't be surprised to find yourself describing everything as marvelous, the author's adjective of choice. It serves its purpose, mostly.

[Jandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I saw this book ( kindergarten, 30 years ago) I don't remember any other. Quite an impact in a little mexican girl, that still keeps it in her home shelf. What is the first book you ever read or remember?

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another childhood favorite - the repetition of the phrasing in this book creates a clever sort of onomatopoeia that makes it super-fun to read aloud. We keep this one in a plastic ziplock baggie because its so dearly treasured. :)

[Clarissa Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was perhaps my favorite childhood book. Since then, it has either been put in a yard sale, lost, stolen, or simply in a hidden storage box. If you have this and want to sell it, contact me! I love love love this book!

[Joseph Kohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books as a kid. He gets all muddy and dirty. Then like Iron Man, steps into a machine that cleans him, brushes his teeth, and combs his hair. So, that when he comes back home he's perfectly clean.

[Ardys]

Learned to read from this book.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3 yo loves this-
Edit... still loves it ages 4

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an imaginative book with a poor vocabulary. A relic of the previous generation.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite childhood books. It is a very very simple beginning reader book but it has great memories. I loved the concept and had fun reading it to my kids and reliving the book myself.

[Bill Hohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I ever read by myself!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Travis!

[Carter Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was our mom's favorite when she was a kid, and we love it too! Marvelous, beautiful, mud washing machine!

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book from my childhood years.

[Mick C · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first & favorite book as a kid of all time!! LOVED it!