A Cozy Bathtime Adventure: Reviewing Bathtime Mathtime by Danica McKellar
As a mom, there are nights when all I can think about is the sweet, sweet silence that comes with bedtime. However, I’ve found that the chaos of three little ones splashing around during bathtime can sometimes turn into the best bonding moments. It’s during these times that I stumbled upon Bathtime Mathtime by Danica McKellar. With its promise of turning our nightly ritual into a mathematical adventure, I couldn’t resist adding it to our stack of bedtime books.
From the moment I opened the board book, I was captivated by the delightful illustrations bursting with vibrant colors and playful characters. The narrative is a gentle, rhyming exploration of numbers through everyday bath activities: “Take one messy baby, two busy feet, three rambunctious friends”—and just like that, my kiddos were hooked! They giggled at the antics of the cute creatures, especially the four quacking ducks who just wanted to hop into the tub with us. My three-year-old squealed with delight every time we reached the page with the bubbles—"Bubbles! Count them, Mommy!"
I found the concept of "counting on"—the idea of adding one by simply counting forward—so cleverly embedded in the rhymes. I was surprised by how seamlessly it integrated math into our bathtime rituals. My five-year-old loves numbers and immediately engaged with the story, trying to count along with me. Each splash, giggle, and soapy adventure sparked spontaneous laughter and discussion about counting. “If we have two feet in the water and we bring in one rubber ducky, how many do we have now?” This little book turned our mundane soapy scrub into a fun math lesson, and I loved that!
Reading Bathtime Mathtime became a highlight of our family routine. My toddler, the inquisitive one who often asks “Why?” and “How?”, would beam each time we reached the page about the five bubbly bath toys. It sparked a delightful debate about which toys floated and which would sink (much to my surprise, they were both incorrect about some!). The playful direction encouraged my little ones to interact; they’d shout responses and even try to guess the next number as they mimicked my tone.
The book isn’t just a handful of facts or numbers; it’s a sweet story with a relatable structure for tiny minds. With only a few words per page, it holds their attention beautifully without overwhelming them. I particularly adored how it maintained a fun rhythm that made read-alouds feel almost like a song, and they would giggle whenever I exaggerated certain lines.
I can’t recommend Bathtime Mathtime enough for parents looking to incorporate a bit of early math learning into the everyday chaos of parenting. With its charming illustrations and soothing, rhythmic prose, I think it’s perfect for ages 1-4, especially for kiddos who are naturally curious about numbers or enjoy interactive experiences during reading.
For us, it has become a cherished family favorite, and honestly? I think I enjoy our “math time” even more than the kids do. Here’s hoping Danica McKellar creates more of these engaging titles! There’s magic in reading together, and it’s times like these that make our parenting journey feel all the more vibrant. So, pour the bubbles, grab the rubber duckies, and let’s make bathtime your new favorite math class! 🦆✨
