The Pickle Patch Bathtub
on Goodreads (50)
What’s inside...
In 1925, Donna Delle Philp's legs have grown too long for the family's old washtub. With her parents busy on the farm, Donna takes it upon herself to solve the problem. After months of hard work and help from her siblings, she earns enough money to buy a real bathtub. This true story highlights the value of money and teamwork, and is enriched with primary sources, making it a great supplement for American history, math, or economics studies.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What inspired Donna to create the Pickle Patch Bathtub? How did her idea change her family's life?
How did Donna's family react to her idea and how did they help her? What does this tell us about teamwork and support?
What challenges did Donna face in creating the Pickle Patch Bathtub and how did she overcome them?
How does the story show the importance of creativity and perseverance?
What would you have done differently if you were in Donna's place? Why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine their own unique invention like Donna’s bathtub. Ask them to describe their invention, its purpose, and who it would help.
Discuss the value of persistence and ask your child about a time they had to keep trying to succeed at something.
Highlight the family dynamics in the book, and relate it to your own family. Ask your child how they feel supported by their family and how they can support others.
Explore the historical context of the story with your child—discuss what life would have been like during that time and how innovations can impact daily life.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, or to portray how they might design their version of a 'Pickle Patch Bathtub.'
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: In the story, Donna and her family work hard to save enough money to buy a new bathtub, showcasing the importance of perseverance and dedication.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working steadily towards their goals, whether it’s saving money for a toy, or completing a difficult school project.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The family uses an old pickle vat as a bathtub, demonstrating resourcefulness and creativity in solving problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively and use available resources to solve problems, whether in play or in overcoming daily challenges.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The whole family comes together to help achieve the common goal of affording the bathtub. This highlights the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of collaborating with others to achieve shared goals, applicable in team sports, group projects at school, or family chores.
Example Lesson: Value of Hard Work
Explanation: Donna's efforts in helping her family save money by selling flower seeds, eggs, and cream underline the value of hard work.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that hard work is rewarding and important in achieving personal and collective goals, instilling a strong work ethic from a young age.
Example Lesson: Economic Literacy
Explanation: The process of saving and budgeting for the bathtub provides basic economic lessons about managing finances.
Real-World Application: Children are introduced to fundamental concepts of saving, spending, and economic decision-making that will benefit them in their future financial literacy.