How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth

With its combination of understated text and witty art, this book will leave most readers hankering (read: begging, pleading) for a prehistoric pet of their very own.

It's an adorable bath time adventure, starring an expressive hairy giant and a sweet sprite of a child, who smartly wears a raincoat throughout. Share as a laugh-out-loud warm-up to any kid's own scrub-a-dub routine.

Unconventional pets abound in children's books, from the mechanical (How to Train a Train) to the extinct (Buying, Training, and Caring for Your Dinosaur). The British duo of Robinson (What to Do If an Elephant Stands On Your Foot) and Hindley (The Great Snortle Hunt) focus on one aspect of mammoth ownership: bath time. Outfitted in a yellow hoodie and red boots, Robinson's heroine tackles the job with persistence as Robinson provides a step-by-step tutorial. After filling the bath comes "Step two: Add bubble bath" and "Step three: Add mammoth." It's easier said than done, and in a sequence of labeled figures, Hindley shows the girl making four attempts that involve a broom, "spooky mask," skateboard, and "heavy-duty crane." The author and artist feel entirely in step, especially during the closing sequence that has the mammoth getting--horror of horrors--shampoo in its eyes and dashing up a tree, requiring a muddy rescue via trampoline. It's a madcap story of pet care with sweetness at its core. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: the Catchpole Agency. Illustrator's agent: Jodie Marsh, United Agents. (Jan.)

Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 2--Washing a woolly mammoth is possible, but one must carefully follow each step. Children are introduced to a gigantic, unwashed wooly mammoth and the intrepid young girl who demonstrates the proper method for bathing such a beast. Surrounded by bits of leaves and circling flies, the "notoriously tricky to clean" animal stares despondently out at readers. The girl quickly takes charge, recommending the proper level of water for the tub and methods to entice the mammoth into the bath (by brute force, scare tactics, or tempting baked goods). All ends with an invitation to a bubbly, toy-filled soak for her muddy, wooly friend. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations show an eye for detail; a plethora of humorous bath products preceding the title page include "tusk whitener," "antibacterial hoof wash," and a generous tube of "elbow grease." The procedural text keeps the pages turning and contrasts nicely with the winsome illustrations. Youngsters will enjoy this lighthearted tale, especially the very last step: "Throw in the towel and SNUGGLE!"--Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Robinson, in what is her first book for children, strikes just the right 'in on the joke' tone." —The New York Times on 'What To Do If An Elephant Stands On Your Foot'

"When the ending suggests that the story is starting over, listeners will be happy to hear it again.?" —Kirkus Reviews on 'What To Do If An Elephant Stands On Your Foot'