Book Details
Written by
Illustrated by
Genre
More details

No Roses for Harry! (by Gene Zion)

common sense media says

Everyone comes out a winner in delightful story.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

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.

Positive messages: Harry tries to lose a handmade gift.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.

More on No Roses for Harry!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about embarrassment. Have you ever felt silly about wearing something? Why? What did you do?

What's the story?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Gene Zion
Illustrator: Margaret Bloy Graham
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication date: October 6, 1976
Number of pages: 32
Paperback price: $6.99

This review was written by Linda Rahm-Crites
 
 

Review It

 

Review No Roses for Harry!





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you read No Roses for Harry!?


Already read it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is 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