Parents' Guide to

There’s a Zombie in My Bathtub: Here's Hank, Book 5

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Resourceful Hank faces fears in fun Halloween story.

Book Henry Winkler , Lin Oliver Family Life 2015
There’s a Zombie in My Bathtub: Here's Hank, Book 5 Poster Image

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What's the Story?

Hank sometimes enjoys scary movies, but zombies are too much for him. In THERE'S A ZOMBIE IN MY BATHTUB, after Hank's friends encourage him to watch a zombie movie the night before Halloween, terrified Hank is unable to sort reality from fantasy. Bully Nick McKelty feeds his fear by telling him he's surrounded by zombies preparing to invade on Halloween night. Hank does his best to prepare for fighting zombies and protecting his vulnerable Papa Pete and family.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Any child can readily relate to likable hero Hank, and Scott Garrett's appealing illustrations -- including several of Hank's hand-drawn lists -- bring this story to life. Hank's dad, who's often impatient with his son, gets a softer treatment here and helps his frustrated daughter with Halloween prime-time costume problems. Like Hank, author Henry Winkler struggled through school without realizing he had dyslexia, and his experience helps make Hank's predicaments -- and his family's response -- so believable.

Nick "the Tick" consistently remains a stock bully character, depicted as a gross overeater whose fright is played up for laughs that seem unfair after the empathetic treatment of Hank's similar fears.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about scary movies and stories. What frightens you? Do you worry about your friends teasing you for being scared? How much scary stuff can your child handle?

  • What other stories have you read about kids struggling with school? How does this one compare?

  • The tables are turned when Nick is terrified by something Hank no longer fears. Do you think this is justice served?

Book Details

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