Parents' Guide to Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild!

It’s hard to tell whether this book is intended for a toddler who gets into everything and is occasionally yelled at, or for a toddler's mother who, at times, loses patience and yells. The book doesn't fit either group: The toddler won't understand the subtle concepts involving accidents, impatience, and losing one's temper, and a mother might feel guilty about being upset with her kids.

Although the text is appropriate for first-graders who read on their own, the subject matter is too babyish for them; kids like to read about kids their own age or 1 to 2 years older. On a positive note, both Harriet's and her mother's faces show a wide array of emotions in Marla Frazee's realistic illustrations. Anger, frustration, and final loss of control are wonderfully drawn on the bug-eyed mom, and it's obvious Harriet is truly sorry for her spills.