Book Of The Week: The Tub People

 source

I love books that anthropomorphize toys.  I don't know what it is about the idea that toys have a life beyond playtime that I find so appealing.  But not often do you find books that explore the idea that toys don't know that they're toys.  The Tub People by Pam Conrad is one such book.  This story explores a family of wooden toys who live on the edge of the bathtub.  We see through their eyes the adventures they take as well as the tragedy they experience when their owner is negligent one night.  The emotions the tub people experience seem poingniantly real because, as far as they know, they are real.  The illustrations are classic and engaging, and this story subtly teaches children why they need to treat their toys with care and respect.  And don't worry - the book does have a happy ending.