Make a Splash: Favorite Bathtime Books for Kids

Bathtime books are a hit with preschoolers for a reason. Between the bubbles, splashes, and silly stories, these bathtime books for preschoolers make getting clean feel like play. Here are five favorites kids love to hear again and again.

Bernard's Bath

by Joan Elizabeth Goodman

This book is about a little elephant named Bernard who refuses to take a bath. When his family starts splashing and having fun without him, Bernard gets FOMO and then asks to get in the tub. What begins as a stubborn refusal turns into joyful play, showing kids that bath time can be both clean and fun.

The Pigeon Needs a Bath!

by Mo Willems

This story turns a common struggle into a laugh-out-loud story. Kids relate to the pigeon’s protests and love his dramatic change of heart once he hops in. His silly excuses and over-the-top complaints make bath time feel like a comedy show that parents and kids can both enjoy.

Harry the Dirty Dog

by Gene Zion

This book is about a white dog with black spots who absolutely hates taking baths. To avoid getting clean, he runs away and spends the day getting dirtier and dirtier—until he turns into a black dog with white spots! When his family doesn’t recognize him, Harry finally realizes that maybe a bath isn’t so bad after all.

Off to See the Sea

by Nikki Grimes

This is a rhythmic, imaginative story about a parent turning bath time into an ocean adventure. As the child splashes, dives, and explores, the bathroom becomes a sea full of fun and wonder, making getting clean feel like play.

No Bath for Max!

by RNA BOOKS

This is a playful rhyming story about a boy who tries everything to avoid taking a bath until a smelly surprise and his dog’s reaction convince him otherwise. In the end, Max dives into the bubbles and discovers that getting clean can be just as fun as getting dirty.