Fox, Mem & Olivia Rawson. A Giraffe in the Bath, Illustrated by Kerry Argent. New York: Viking, 2010. ISBN: 9780670072132
Plot Summary:
With the intent to make their audience laugh, this silly picture book is based around instances of various animals doing everyday tasks. From a giraffe in the bath to a roo on the loo, you are bound to see the funny things that animals can do...
With the intent to make their audience laugh, this silly picture book is based around instances of various animals doing everyday tasks. From a giraffe in the bath to a roo on the loo, you are bound to see the funny things that animals can do...
Critical Analysis:
A Giraffe in the Bath is a hilarious picture book written by authors Mem Fox and Olivia Rawson. These two authors incorporate cultural markers particular to their own culture, as well as the inclusion of rhyme and meter. Mem Fox was born in Australia and resided in Africa during some of her childhood. Fox incorporates various animals that are native to Australia such as the kangaroo and the koala, as well as the inclusion of African animals such as the crocodile and the giraffe. She also includes some Austrailian dialect such as the usage of the word 'loo.' In Austrailia, this word is associated with the bathroom; thus, adding to the cultural markers found throughout this title.
While this title is characterized as a picture book, her audience may associate it with poetry through the usage of Fox's rhythms and rhymes. For example, "a giraffe in the bath...the roo in the loo," display a fun rhyming scheme that contribute to the appeal and tone of this picture book. Throughout her clever rhymes, she attributes human like characteristics and actions to the animals she incorporates. By utilizing personification within her story, she is able to provide humor and a sense of imagery.
In association with her usage of imagery, Fox collaborates with illustrator Kerry Argent to visually bring to life her fun story. Argent brings Fox's words to life with her vibrant usage of oils and acrylic as she brings a literal illustration to each sentence of Fox's words. When Fox states "a giraffe in the bath," Kerry literally illustrates a giraffe sitting in a bubble bath. Children know that giraffes are tall animals with long limbs, so Argent depicts this animal hanging out of tub because everyone knows that a giraffe can't comfortably fit inside a bathtub. The authors and illustrator of this title collaborate in a manner that positively contributes to the humor that of which their audience will enjoy.
A Giraffe in the Bath is a hilarious picture book written by authors Mem Fox and Olivia Rawson. These two authors incorporate cultural markers particular to their own culture, as well as the inclusion of rhyme and meter. Mem Fox was born in Australia and resided in Africa during some of her childhood. Fox incorporates various animals that are native to Australia such as the kangaroo and the koala, as well as the inclusion of African animals such as the crocodile and the giraffe. She also includes some Austrailian dialect such as the usage of the word 'loo.' In Austrailia, this word is associated with the bathroom; thus, adding to the cultural markers found throughout this title.
While this title is characterized as a picture book, her audience may associate it with poetry through the usage of Fox's rhythms and rhymes. For example, "a giraffe in the bath...the roo in the loo," display a fun rhyming scheme that contribute to the appeal and tone of this picture book. Throughout her clever rhymes, she attributes human like characteristics and actions to the animals she incorporates. By utilizing personification within her story, she is able to provide humor and a sense of imagery.
In association with her usage of imagery, Fox collaborates with illustrator Kerry Argent to visually bring to life her fun story. Argent brings Fox's words to life with her vibrant usage of oils and acrylic as she brings a literal illustration to each sentence of Fox's words. When Fox states "a giraffe in the bath," Kerry literally illustrates a giraffe sitting in a bubble bath. Children know that giraffes are tall animals with long limbs, so Argent depicts this animal hanging out of tub because everyone knows that a giraffe can't comfortably fit inside a bathtub. The authors and illustrator of this title collaborate in a manner that positively contributes to the humor that of which their audience will enjoy.
Review Excerpts:
"From the imprint page where we spy koala with his towel and numbat with his rubber duckie obviously heading for the bathtub it is obvious we are in for a frivolous romp of monumental proportions from this master storyteller. Take a minute to form you own image of a giraffe with all its legs, tail and long neck in the sudsy bathtub--I can feel you giggling already! A giraffe in the bath makes you laugh. Your listeners will hoot as you act out the walrus with a wiggle and the roo in the loo is just guaranteed to trigger uncontrollable sniggering. The wonderfully funny images will have everyone laughing out loud. This tale provides a marvelous model for young revelers in language to make up their own fanciful images of other animals in funny situations. " - Children's Review
"A sheep in the shower? A roo on the loo? A giraffe in the bath? The combined talents of Mem Fox, Olivia Rawson, and Kerry Argent create a wonderful, rollicking, rhythmic adventure with a hilarious cast of zany animal friends. A great story to read aloud with bright, colourful amusing full page illustrations." - Scholastic Australia
Connections:
Similar books that customers also purchased include Mem Fox's: Koala Lou, Where is the Green Sheep, Possum Magic, and the Magic Hat.
Similar books that customers also purchased include Mem Fox's: Koala Lou, Where is the Green Sheep, Possum Magic, and the Magic Hat.
Interactivity:
- Ask children to choose an animal and come up with a word that rhymes with it, so they can attribute human like characteristics to it.
- Before showing the pictures to the students, read the book aloud and have them illustrate exactly what they hear.
- Choose a random animal and ask children if they can take a bath? If so, do they use bath tubs? For example, a cat. A cat takes baths, but how?
