Take a Bath---Please! — Donald W. Kruse

Little Leroy hates taking a bath, so he vows he won't take one until he's 90 years old! Mom and Dad are upset, but what can they do? First, they order Leroy to take a bath. But that doesn't work. Then they try sweet-talking to him. But that doesn't work. Then they plead with him to bathe. But that doesn't work. Then they try bribing him with all kinds of gifts, including a puppy named Spike. But to no avail. Nothing seems to work, and meanwhile little Leroy has grown so ripe, he must now live in the garage with his dog Burt. Soon the entire neighborhood and the mailman are in an uproar because Leroy is growing quite ripe. They go out of their way to avoid him, and even Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny refuse to stop at Leroy's house on Christmas and Easter Day. Things go from bad to worse, and the police are summoned. They arrive on the scene and order Leroy to take a bath. But little Leroy knows his rights and he refuses to obey the police order. Then a news reporter gets whiff of the story (and of Leroy) and arrives on the scene with her TV news team to interview Leroy. But by now Leroy is so ripe, the reporter barely survives the interview without fainting. She calls the fire department who arrive in their fire truck, holding their noses. Their plan is to hose off Leroy right where he stands, but something happens to their fire hose and their plan is foiled. The situation looks hopeless, but then one day an unexpected visitor arrives and finally convinces Leroy to take a bath---please! Join the fun and laughter as you read along and discover who convinced Leroy to take a bath. Who is that unexpected visitor? Featuring a foreword by comedian Arte Johnson, and written in verse with full-color illustrations throughout, this hilarious story will delight and entertain readers and listeners ages 3 and up.