Once Upon a Bathtime

‘Bathtime’ has been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books in the Toronto Public Library. Elizabeth Shefrin’s exquisite illustrations that accompany the story are the reason. The books in the Osborne Collection are chosen for their merit “…to become objects of study, admiration and amusement by future generations."

"Hughes weaves the familiar language of fairy tales with parents’ care in a serene, comfortable poem in which repetition stresses affection. Shefrin’s collage illustrations are made of textured paper with clean, cut edges — the clean edges underscoring the controlled cleanliness of bathtime. Figures are slightly distorted and perspectives tend to be flat, so a child-like simplicity suffuses both art and text." - Toronto Star

"The story flows well and the repetition makes the book ideal for preschoolers. The illustrators are lively and playful..."
- School Library Journal

"This picture book is told in simple, elegant verse and illustrated with paper-cut collage artwork. ... The story flows well and the repetition makes the book ideal for preschoolers. The illustrations are lively and playful as well ... Nothing is exact or consistent, giving the art a naïve, folk-art look and feel. ... Many children will relate to these bath rituals and want to share their thoughts while reading."
- Orland Park Public Library, IL