Common Sense Media Review
Everyone comes out a winner in delightful story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
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?
Children approaching 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 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.
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about embarrassment. Have you ever felt silly about wearing something? Why? What did you do?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Margaret Bloy Graham
- Genre : For Beginning Readers
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date : October 6, 1976
- Number of pages : 32
- Last updated : September 23, 2015
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