 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Harry by the Sea
- By Gene Zion
- Genre: For Beginning Readers
Common Sense Media says
An appealing main character and plenty of action.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that an appealing main character and plenty of action (reinforced by the lively illustrations) power this story along, keeping children involved in the narrative language and resolution of the story conflict. This tale of mistakes (and mistaken identity) will elicit out-loud laughter, while Margaret Bloy Graham's deceptively simple, softly colored drawings emphasize the humor.
What's the story?
Harry the dog likes the seashore, except the heat. Harry's human family likes everything about Harry, except his tendency to crowd their beach umbrella and wreck their sandcastles.
As Harry sits alone by the water's edge, a big wave crashes over him, leaving him covered with seaweed and looking like "something from the bottom of the sea." Now Harry is cool and comfortable--and completely oblivious to the terrifying sight he presents as he runs from one identical striped beach umbrella to another, searching for his family.
Just as Harry is about to be captured and taken to the aquarium as a Bushy-backed Sea Slug, everyone is happily reunited at a hot-dog stand. For their next trip to the seaside, Harry's family buys a brand-new beach umbrella: big enough to cover everyone--including Harry--and easy for Harry to find, because, like him, it's white with black spots.
Is it any good?
From a hot dog (Harry) to a hot-dog stand, HARRY BY THE SEA captures not only the fun but also the potential mishaps of a family outing to the seaside. Any child who has ever been lost in a crowd will identify with Harry's attempt to find his family amid the almost indistinguishable humans on the beach. The text softens Harry's plight by giving the panic to the people, who think Harry is a scary sea monster, and by reassurances that his family has been searching for him, too.
Humorous touches -- both textual and visual -- abound, such as the expressions and gestures of illustrator Margaret Bloy Graham's bathers and Harry's mistaking the hot-dog man's cry of "Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" for "Harry! Harry! Harry!" A big orange sun shines down in every one of Graham's illustrations, making the crowded beach setting cheery. Children love Graham's drawings, but adults will also appreciate a certain satiric edge in her portrayal of humans' herdlike behavior.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what to do if a child gets lost. What steps can you take to find your parents again? How did Harry handle the situation? What did he do right? And what could he have done differently that might have reunited him with his family sooner?
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
| Author: | Gene Zion |
| Illustrator: | Margaret Bloy Graham |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | For Beginning Readers |
| Publisher: | HarperTrophy |
| Publication date: | January 1, 2000 |
| Number of pages: | 28 |
| Paperback price: | $5.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
Review It
Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
