Dear Kay Thompson’s estate,

STOP commissioning new Eloise books. They suck. The last one was racist and this one keeps making fun of accents by saying “bawth” instead of bath or bathe. They also do it with “rawther” and other words. It’s annoying. Stop ruining a childhood favorite.

Signed the original lovers of Eloise ( )

Eloise returns stateside in this fifth picture-book chronicling her frenetic fun, causing chaos at the Plaza Hotel by taking the longest, messiest (and most entertaining) bath on record. As that pint-sized terror lolls about in the water, splashing here and there, playing imaginative games of all kinds - from surfing, to pirating, to underwater diving, she has the aquatic activities covered - and generally creating a mess, the consequences of her actions are felt all over the hotel, as leaks spring up here and there. Will the Venetian Masked Ball have to be cancelled, or will hotel manager Mr. Salomone be able to pinpoint the source of all the trouble...?

Although it was originally written by Kay Thompson in the 1960s, Eloise Takes a Bawth never saw print in her lifetime, being suppressed by the author for reasons unknown. This edition, which was published in 2002, was authorized by her estate, and features newly updated artwork by Hilary Thompson. Still, as the story and the basic art ideas were all created back in the early 1960s, I consider it the last of the "original" Eloise books, and as such, decided to include it in my recent classic picture-book character reading project. I'm glad I did, as it is an amusing tale, and reminded me of some of the pleasure I took in baths myself as a girl - the games I would play, the slip-sliding I would do, the general mess I would make. I don't know that it has the feeling of a series "ending" to me, but as it is the end - I don't intend to read any of the contemporary tag-along, coat-riding titles written and illustrated "in the style of" the original creators - I can say that I have enjoyed meeting its heroine, even if she isn't destined to become one of my favorite picture-book characters. At least now I know what all the fuss is about... ( )

Very cute! I had never read any of the Eloise books but this one definitely made me want to read more

Lets just say... BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( )

I really really enjoyed this book. It is very fun but interesting book. It isn't too easy but its definitely not hard. ( )