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Harry the Dirty Dog

Harry the Dirty Dog

List Price: $6.99
Your Price: $6.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: In the bawth, in the bawth
Review: A trip back in time to 1956. Let it never be said that fantastic female illustrators are a new phenomenon. Margaret Bloy Graham's attention to detail and delightful characters back in the day resulted in this lovely tale of a filthy dog. Perusing the pages of "Harry the Dirty Dog", the reader is drawn into a delightful story that encompasses all times and all places. It is a story that has stood up well over the years.

Harry is a white dog with black spots who is NOT fond of baths. After hiding his scrub brush and hi-tailing it away from his home, Harry becomes so terribly dirty that he resembles a black dog with white spots. When his own family doesn't recognize him, Harry must take drastic measures to make his way back into the family's heart.

Harry's an adorable little mutt. The book isn't making any intentional social commentary, but I did love the variety of places Harry got into. Look, he's playing near the construction workers! Look, he's down at the railroad! Look, he's sliding down a coal shoot! It's nice to see jobs in a kids book that aren't all posh upper middle class desk occupations. Admittedly, sometimes the book's published date is obvious. Where, after all, are all the black people? Any minority at all? This is a world full of white white whites. Still, how much do you hold a book accountable for such things when it is thoroughly lacking in any other problems?

Harry's family members look like nothing so much as early prototypes of Harry Bliss (the New Yorker cartoonist who wrote the children's book, "Don't Forget to Come Back"), by the way. Those big black Orphan Annie eyes. Altogether, this is a good book for any adult that wants to remember a time tinged in nostalgia. Kids will feel for Harry, just as they are relieved that he makes back home okay in the end. Any child that loves doggies will adore this book. It may even serve those adults that want a story that applauds the virtues of keeping clean. A fine piece of work.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I Love this Book
Review: As I was searching for books to buy my cousins for Christmas I thought about Harry the Dirty Dog. I'm 31 years old and still have my copy from when I was a kid. I used to dream about what my own dog did when she ran away from home. This book makes you realize that you shouldn't take the small things in life for granted. Harry decided to leave his home to see what else was out there only to realize that he had everything he needed at home. This is my all-time favorite book. I'm glad it's still being published.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Adventure and Drama
Review: Harry runs away to avoid a bath, sending the reading along for a journey through all the dirtiest (and most fun) places in the nearby city streets. Of course all adventurers eventually have to come home. Here the story does a wonderful parody/reversal on the recognition scene in the Odyssey, where it is Harry who can't be recognized for his "disguise" of a black sooty coat with white spots. Eventually though the power of the dreaded bath, he's finally revealed and reunited with his family.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Harry the dirty dog is a classic kid's story
Review: I remember reading this book when I was in school and I always enjoyed it.

Harry takes off from his family, and gets so dirty they don't recognize him. He has a fun time around town, but when he realizes his family does not know him, he needs to have a bath to prove that he is their dog.

This is a cute story, which my 7 year old loves to read over and over. A five star read for kids of any age.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST DOG BOOKS
Review: I THOUGHT I READ THIS BOOK WHEN I WAS LITTLE & DIDN'T CARE FOR IT, BUT I BOUGHT THIS AS OUR TODDLER LOVES DOGS. I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER READ THIS BOOK BEFORE. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST DOG BOOKS OUT THERE, ALONG WITH BARK GEORGE (BOTH ARE ALOT BETTER THAN HONDO & FABIAN AND THE STRAY DOG- THAT'S HOW GOOD THEY ARE).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Harry the Dirty Dog
Review: In March I visited Cuba and had the chance to meet with Elian Gonzalez' father and grandparents. I took along some Spanish children's books for them to read with Elian when they were reunited, and at the top of the pile was Harry the Dirty Dog (in Spanish). What better story to help with the healing of this little boy than Harry, who goes away from the family, returns almost unrecognizable, but is still loved, and returns to himself through his family's love and care. A comfort for all children.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: To wash him is to know him
Review: The book I read was Harry the Dirty Dog. I like this book because of the illustrations. The dog in the story is cute. I also like the plot of the story. The dog doesn't like to have baths. He runs away and gets dirty. He is so dirty his family does not recognize him. Finally he begs for a bath and gets one. His family realizes it is him.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: To wash him is to know him
Review: The book I read was Harry the Dirty Dog. I like this book because of the illustrations. The dog in the story is cute. I also like the plot of the story. The dog doesn't like to have baths. He runs away and gets dirty. He is so dirty his family does not recognize him. Finally he begs for a bath and gets one. His family realizes it is him.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Terrific Story!!!
Review: This is a very simple, but powerful little tale, with the dog taking the part of the teacher. The dog hides the bathtub brush because he doesn't want a bath and then he runs away from home. Then he goes on an adventure and gets dirty and even dirtier as the tale goes. Then he comes to his senses and returns home, only to have the family not recognize him, until...he finds the brush he hid and then it all turns out alright. The artwork is pretty basic and wonderful and it communicates the story so well. A very well done book. Kudos to the writer and illustrator!!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A review
Review: This short children's book is among my favorites, and my children's as well. The simple storyline of a dog that runs away from home and returns so dirty as to be unrecognizable, is timeless. The illustrations are clearly from another era and the detail of the '50s produce stands, trains, trucks, coal delivery, and construction sites amuses both adults and children. The illustrations are all in color, unlike many early children's books.

The illustrations depict the father and mother in clear gender-based roles and styles of dress. Some parents may find that distressing. Others may find it a breath of fresh air. I myself am indifferent.

I recommend this book as a classic that has endured far better than most books of the era.


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