Book Review: Harry the Dirty Dog
Rated by 2 members
What Parents Should Know
Children get a vicarious kick out of Harry's escape from
home, and love the verbal and visual build-up from "very dirty"
to "dirtier" to "dirtiest of all."
Common Sense Media Review
In print since 1956,
Harry the Dirty Dog testifies to the continuing appeal
of a simple tale, low-key humor, and a likable main character.
But what really makes this and the other
Harry stories stand out is Margaret Bloy Graham's
pen-and-ink, pastel-washed drawings. Harry, a black-and-white
spotted mutt with little short legs, a stubby tail, and an
upturned nose, is surely one of the most appealing dogs in
children's literature.
Being a dog, he perceives his world in an amusingly animal-centric way. Almost everywhere he goes, we see the other dogs--and cats, squirrels, birds, and even insects--who inhabit it. Humans, although loved and needed, are rather like just more fauna in Harry's life. The family members have no names, and--the most amusing touch--Harry is smarter than they are. His family fails to recognize him when he comes home a different color, but Harry knows how to turn that around.
All this helps children rejoice in their identification with Harry, but the story isn't really about all-out rebellion. Harry appreciates his home--he just wants to have more control over bath time.
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