The Mud Bath (Tuck Me In Book 31)

Nearly every child is self-conscious about his or her appearance at some time. Teaching your children that how they look on the outside is far less important than who they are on the inside is crucial.

Reading this humorous and entertaining book to your kids can help teach his important lesson. A kitten, who is exceptionally fussy about his fur coat, learns that his true friends like and accept him for who he is rather than what he looks like.

The story takes place in a neighborhood park where a trio of girls have gathered to play. Pearl, Pebbles and Jasmine (a cat, a dog and a bear, respectively) are lounging under a large, magnolia tree watching a trio of boys try to impress them.

A puppy named Jag is goofing around with two feline pals, Links and Onyx. The boys are taking turns performing theatrical feats for their female audience, each attempting to out-do the other.

When Onyx attempts to top the antics of his two pals, he accidentally lands in a mud puddle. As a result, his normally-lovely fur is a muddy mess.

The girls good-naturedly tease Onyx about his appearance, as the friends regroup to chat and hang out. They decide to play a game of hopscotch, but Onyx chooses not to participate.

He is embarrassed about his appearance and is trying to avoid being seen by his friends as a result. Rather than join them at play, Onyx remains alone on the sidelines.

Unwilling to accept his friend's self-imposed isolation, Links reaches out to Onyx. He assures the distressed kitten that nobody cares about his muddy coat and messy appearance.

Convinced that his appearance is not important to his friends, Onyx responds to Links' encouragement and joins his buddies in hopscotch. By the time Onyx has taken his turn, his movements dislodge the caked-on mud to reveal an even-shinier and more beautiful coat than usual!

By reading this story to their chilidren, parents can help them realize that how they look on the outside is not nearly as important as who they are on the inside. It will also better enable their kids to accept others regardless of their physical appearance.

Children ages 2 to 10 will be amused and inspired by this tale. Read it at bedtime, naptime or any time!