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No Roses for Harry!

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Everyone comes out a winner in delightful story.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Harry tries to lose a handmade gift.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of No Roses for Harry! was written by Linda Rahm-Crites

Parents need to know that the depictions of dogs, cats, birds, and insects, not to mention Harry himself, are a delight for both children and grown-ups. Harry goes to great lengths to try to "lose" an unwanted gift.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about embarrassment. Have you ever felt silly about wearing something? Why? What did you do?
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More on No Roses for Harry!

Book Summary

Who hasn't received a well-intentioned but totally inappropriate gift? Harry determines to lose the embarrassing rose-patterned dog sweater from Grandma, but his efforts are constantly thwarted, until he receives help from a loose stitch and a nesting bird. Marvelous illustrations keep kids giggling at fashion victim Harry even as they sympathize with his plight.

Is It Any Good?

Margaret Graham's deft rendering of Harry's features -- ears, eyes, tail, and posture -- eloquently convey Harry's dejection and shame when he finds himself mocked by his canine peers. Likewise, as his family searches fruitlessly for the missing sweater, Harry assumes a look of combined innocence and craftiness.

Children getting into the peer-group and fashion-consciousness mode of preschool and first grade readily respond to this story, which safely and humorously displaces some of their concerns onto Harry the dog. The old-fashioned style of the book (first published in 1958) doesn't seem to be a problem, and, for many grown-up readers, it's a bonus. Nostalgia-prone adults will love Graham's small town, where people dress up to go shopping and every little store has its resident pet.

Publisher’s Details

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Number of pages: 32, Price: $6.99 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 4+, Read Alone: 6+

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