When the Waterhole Dries Up

It's bath time in the outback, and a dusty boy is waiting, but so are some very dusty and very cheeky animals.

Will this boy ever get clean? A rollicking tale about togetherness and fun!

Ages 3+

*Shortlisted for the 2022 CBCA Book Awards: Early childhood*

The CBCA judges say…
Boisterous fun, chaotic bush animals and waterplay feature in this cumulative tale about a very dusty boy who needs a bath. The setting of the dry, red Aussie outback is clearly established, and the bath time routine will be familiar to young readers and the adults too! Watercolour double-page spreads in landscape format fill each page, inviting the reader in. There is a wonderful escalation of pace throughout the book firstly as the boy begins to undress, then the drama as each animal arrives, until bath time erupts into delightful chaos. The bath emptying of water in the ruckus, the arrival of rain and the ensuing dip in the newly filled dam combine for a satisfying conclusion. Interesting endpapers suit the theme of the book. Font styling is excellent. Young readers will fully engage with this form of nursery rhyme which encourages participation.

*Shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards 2021: 3 to 5 Years*