Cubs in the Tub

Fred and Helen Martini longed for a baby, and they ended up with dozens of lion and tiger cubs!

Snuggle up to this purr-fect read aloud about the Bronx Zoo's first female zookeeper.

When Bronx zookeeper Fred brought home a lion cub, Helen Martini instantly embraced it. The cub's mother had lost the instinct to care for him. "Just do for him what you would do with a human baby," Fred suggested...and she did. Helen named him MacArthur, fed him milk from a bottle, and cooed him to sleep in a crib.

Soon enough, MacArthur was not the only cub bathing in the tub! The couple continued to raise lion and tiger cubs as their own, until they were old enough to return to zoos. In time, Helen became the first female zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo, the keeper of the nursery.

This is a terrific non-fiction book to read aloud while snuggling up with your cubs. Filled with adorable baby cats, Cubs in the Tub is a story of love, dedication, and a special kind of family.

Gorgeously patterned illustrations by Julie Downing detail the Martinis' in-home nursery, and a warm pallet creates a cozy pairing with Candace Fleming's lovely language. At the end, find a short biography of Helen Martini and a selected bibliography.

A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
Named to the Texas Topaz Reading List

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs