Mrs. Wishy Washy's Christmas
Joy Cowley, Elizabeth Fuller
Unknown Binding
(Scholastic, March 15, 2006)
Mrs. Wishy-Washy thinks her farm animals need a bath for Christmas -- a cold bath. No bath, no presents. The pig, the cow, and the goose are horrified that Mrs. W. expects them to break through the ice in the old tin tub and wash up. But Goose has a plan. He leads the animals into the bathroom, where Mrs. Wishy-Washy has everything from shampoo and face cream to fluffy pink towels, and he invites the gang in for a splash. The art provides much of the fun, as in the picture depicting the animals soaking in a steamy bubble bath. The animals are clean and pretty when Mrs. W. comes home, but she notes the mess, and the critters are sure their presents will be lost. Happily, in the spirit of the holiday, all is forgiven. Mrs. W. even promises to put warm water in their tin tub -- as long as they leave her bath alone. The rhyme doesn't always scan, but the humor is high, and the watercolor artwork, nice and big in execution, shows off the characters' charm and pluck.
K