4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
I’m Swimming In The Toilet... Please Don’t Flush! by Len Foley is an illustrated children’s book. It follows the adventures of a frog who decides to avoid the baking sun by going into a house and taking a dip in the toilet. This is a cautionary tale which illustrates what can happen when a multitude of danger signs are ignored.
As a self-confessed fan of Len Foley’s books, I was delighted to pounce on this opportunity to review yet another. His stories are irreverent, entertaining, completely off the wall and often include a large splash of toilet humour. They make me laugh out loud.
While the main plot is described in verse, there is yet more story in the illustrations. In fact, there is so much going on that you are unlikely to spot all of the visual jokes at the first reading. The pictures are a clever combination of cartoons superimposed over actual photos and they work remarkably well. The frog merrily hops past barrier tape and a plethora of different danger signs; all of which are funny in their own way. There are other characters included in the adventure. A dog is performing a cleaning service and for some bizarre reason, a peanut is acting as a lifeguard. There is a nod to a previous book when a snorkelling potato turns up and what I particularly like about the shoe is that its tongue is hanging out.
My only twinge of doubt was a personal one in that I have a horror at the thought of small animals being flushed down the toilet. However, that's just a personal thing and the frog was certainly given plenty of warning.
I love this book as I have loved the previous two. It is professionally edited and the pictures are glossy, lively and colourful. It will appeal to young children who enjoy a bit of toilet humour. It will also be equally entertaining for the adult who is reading it with them. I can’t find fault and am delighted to award this 4 out of 4 stars.
******
I'm Swimming in the Toilet... PLEASE DON'T FLUSH!
View: on Bookshelves