Tickle, Tickle
It ends in a tickle, so the book has a physical payoff the baby learns to expect. By the third reading, they are squirming before you even turn the last page.
Tickle, Tickle by Helen Oxenbury is estimated to take about 2 minutes to read aloud (30 words, about 1 sentence a page), and it lands best with children aged 0-2.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 2 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Estimated word count
- 30Our estimate
- Sentences per page
- 1Sentence per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 1/5plain words
- Best for
- Ages 0-2Our editorial fit
Our review
The predictable rhythm of the rhymes builds anticipation. This book is less about the plot and more about the physical connection and sensory joy between the reader and the child.
It is perfect for a quick, playful moment where you want to see a baby's reaction. The "payoff" at the end turns reading into a game.
Before you buy it
If you read this at bedtime, be prepared to settle a very awake and over-excited, tickled child immediately afterward.
Themes
- babies
- bathtime
- tickling
- first books
Books like Tickle, Tickle
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Tickle, Tickle aloud?
About 2 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 30. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Tickle, Tickle actually for?
Ages 0-2 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 1 sentence a page and vocabulary at 1 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Tickle, Tickle survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Tickle, Tickle a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it rhymes, and it has a refrain a child can join in with, and it asks the child questions to answer out loud. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Tickle, Tickle?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 4 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Tickle, Tickle on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 1 sentence a page and plain vocabulary (1 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does Tickle, Tickle cover?
We tag it with babies, bathtime, tickling and first books. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists Tickle, Tickle is on
59 reviewed booksBoard BooksA curated list of 60 board books for ages 0-3, including read-aloud times and durability ratings for books that survive chewing and rereading.- 30 reviewed booksBoard Books for BabiesHandpicked board books for babies (birth to age two) with read-aloud times and word counts to help you find books they'll actually love.
13 reviewed booksBoard Books for NewbornsThe best high-contrast and wordless board books for newborns, focusing on visual edges and rhythm. Includes read-aloud times.