A Whale in the Bathtub

In Westaway’s first picture book, originally published in Australia, a whale has invaded the bathtub of a boy named Bruno; worse, it isn’t even an especially nice whale. “You could have knocked!” says the cetacean before shooing Bruno out of the bathroom. Bruno tries to explain the situation to his family, but no one believes him. “You’re always making things up,” says sister Ally while watching TV. “A whale can’t fit in the bathtub,” says Bruno’s serious older brother. “It’s just impossible.” A “shower” courtesy of the whale’s blowhole keeps Bruno from getting in trouble for not bathing, though, as his mother notes, “You smell a bit fishy!” While there isn’t much of a story arc, Jellett (Two Tough Crocs) makes the most of the improbable situation, filling the bathroom with bubbles and white spray to emphasize the mess the whale is making and using crayonlike red scribbles on Bruno’s cheeks to highlight his growing irritation. Sometimes, Westaway suggests, you just have to give in to a situation that’s out of your control—or, better yet, leave it for your sister to deal with. Ages 4–7. (June)