Parents' Guide to Harry and the Lady Next Door

Book Gene Zion For Beginning Readers 1978
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Common Sense Media Review

By Linda Rahm-Crites , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 4+

Simple, humorous text with kid-friendly drawings.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 4+?

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What's the Story?

Harry the dog may not know much about music, but he knows what he likes. And he doesn't like the loud, high-pitched singing of the lady next door. After some not-so-subtle music lessons, which literally land Harry in the doghouse, he happens on a solution to his problem. Humorous, easy-to-read text and child-friendly drawings make this a fine choice for beginning readers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Harry books are perennial favorites with preschoolers. An I Can Read Book, divided into four chapters, HARRY AND THE LADY NEXT DOOR follows Harry's efforts to deal with a constantly singing neighbor. The chapter division allows for shorter or longer reading sessions and also provides a reading progression: The first three, shorter chapters lead up to the longer and slightly more text-heavy final chapter.

Parents will welcome a volume that builds on this popularity to encourage early reading, though readers who love Harry for being a real dog may feel that, in this outing, he comes a little too close to anthropomorphic behavior.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes Harry such an appealing character. Can you think of other characters with a similar appeal?

Book Details

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