Henry’s Bed / Henry’s Bath
Written by: Margaret Perversi
Illustrated by: Ron Brooks
Recommended for ages 2-5
Candlewick Press $6.50

Known for their high quality children’s books, Candlewick Press has created these two lovely storybooks for preschoolers. Each of the books deals with familiar topics, resistance to sleeping in one’s own bed and refusal to take a bath.

Although the stories were first created in 1997, they have recently been made available in paperback. Henry is an adorable little boy who has difficulty sleeping in his own bed. His parents convince him that it is the right thing to do by showing him that the cat, the dog, the goat, the cow and even the ducks shouldn’t sleep in his bed. The bed is made especially for Henry, warm, snuggly and just the right size. Once he gets into bed, he says “good night” to all of the animals. Readers will see where the animals sleep and realize that beds are meant for little boys and girls.

In Henry’s Bath, we are treated to a similar story line whereby Henry does not want to take a bath. Instead of getting into the tub, like his mother asks him to, Henry tries putting all of the farmyard animals into the tub. He soon discovers that the bathtub is no place for animals. For the cow is too large, the cat bathes herself and the ducks simply wouldn’t get out if you got them in. Henry finally concedes and ends up having fun in the tub (as most youngsters do!).