Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! [Paperback]

Mem Fox (Author), Marla Frazee (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Harriet doesn't mean to be pesky. Sometimes she just is. And her mother doesn't mean to lose her temper. Sometimes she just does.
But Harriet and her mother know that even when they do things they wish they hadn't, they still love each other very much.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Whether she's knocking over her juice, dripping yellow paint on the carpet, or ripping apart feather pillows, Harriet Harris is, well, pesky. She certainly doesn't mean to be. And she's always very sorry for her behavior afterwards. Her mother doesn't like to yell, so instead she reprimands her with a gentle "Harriet, my darling child." But as Harriet's shenanigans escalate, so does her long-suffering mom's blood pressure. It looks like one more mishap will put her over the edge. And when that edge is reached, Harriet's mother yells. She yells and yells and yells.

Readers on both sides of the family battlefield will wholeheartedly identify with the oh-so-real experiences of Harriet and her mom. Sometimes accidents just happen, and sometimes yelling just happens. But even when family members make mistakes, they still love each other, as these two prove when they start laughing and cleaning up the big feathery mess after the apologies and hugs. Mem Fox is an internationally known literary consultant and author of many picture books, including Boo to a Goose and Sleepy Bears. Marla Frazee's pictures are exactly right: Harriet's unruly hair and guileless expressions perfectly capture the soul of a 4- or 5-year-old. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Harriet is what grown-ups refer to as a handful. Through the course of a day, the youngster, perhaps accidentally, knocks over her juice, drips paint from her picture onto the carpet and slides off her chair at lunchtime, taking the tablecloth with her. Her mother, who "didn't like to yell," handles each incident with good-humored restraint: "Harriet, my darling child. Harriet, you'll drive me wild. Harriet, sweetheart, what are we to do?" But at naptime, Harriet gets on her mother's last nerve when she intentionally rips open a feather pillow: "Then Harriet's mother began to yell./ She yelled and yelled and yelled." It's a situation that may well ring true for every family, and Fox (Sleepy Bears), in a rhythm well known to her fans, resolves it with good sense and warmth (mother and daughter apologize to each other, share a giggle and embark on clean-up together). Visually, the book never strikes a false note: Frazee's (The Seven Silly Eaters) handsome domestic vignettes, framed by generous white space, are realistic and reassuring. All this authenticity, however, adds up to something less than compellingAthe book ultimately feels more like a parenting article than something children will clamor to hear and see again. Ages 3-7. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152045988
• ISBN-13: 978-0152045982
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

MEM FOX is the author of many acclaimed books, including Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Time for Bed, and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Made us laugh after one of THOSE days! May 16, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Parents and children relate completely to this charming story. My 3 year old son is also "pesky" and he loves this book! I particularly like the illustrations - not just of Harriet's accidents, but of the everyday tasks her mother is TRYING to accomplish - such as paying bills, watering plants, reading the paper and talking on the phone. This book is recommended for any parent who has "lost it" after dealing with a preschooler's messes - I guess that means any parent!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU MUST GET THIS FOR YOUR TODDLER!!! March 14, 2007

By Meddie B. Finnegan

Format:Paperback

When my son was born, my perfect daughter became a hellion, and I became a screaming lunatic. We have all visited the dark side, I think.

So, I bought this book about a two-ish to three-ish year old who makes a lot of big mistakes. She is not naughty, just little and curious. And the mother, who is trying to do laundry or pay the bills or eat lunch, it patient, and patient, and patient some more. And then Mom LOSES it. Then everyone apoligizes and hugs and laughs at how hard it is to be a human being - whether you are two or 32.

My daughter read this again and again, especially when we were driving each other crazy. If you have a little one, espec. one who is acting out because there is a new brother or sister, this book is for you.

By the way, Harriet does not have a new baby in this story. She is just a wonderfully messy kid.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars At Long Last! April 19, 2003

By Libby

Format:Hardcover

As the mom of a wee girl named Harriet (and one named Gracie, one named Mabel and one named Esther...) I can truly appreciate just how wonderfully pesky little girls can be :o) The Lunachicks and I simply adore this book which is chock full of humor and heart. I appreciate the mom in the background trying to pay bills and talk on the phone and tidy and fix lunch with a busy soul always buzzing around her feet. The girls really identify with the fact that Harriet doesn't mean to cause trouble but, somehow, she does. In short, we all feel that this is the story of our lives. I often have to steady my voice to read the last few lines bc it is such a funny and tender look at what life is like with small children.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars MY SON IS "WILD" ABOUT THIS STORY September 25, 2000

By David Dodson

Format:Hardcover

I FOUND THIS BOOK AT THE LIBRARY AND SHARED IT WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH THE ILLUSTRATIONS AND STORY. A TENDER STORY THAT TELLS THE STORY OF A LITTLE GIRL WHO IS VERY CURIOUS, CREATIVE AND "PESKY". HARRIET EXCEEDS ALL BOUNDARIES IN HER OWN WORLD-MAKING MESSES ESPECIALLY. MY SON IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED WITH THE CHARACTER, HARRIET, WHO SUCCESSFULLY EVOKES REACTIONS OUT OF MOM. IN THE END, THE MOTHER AND CHILD USE HUMOR AND END UP GIGGLING TO THEIR HEART'S DELIGHT. A BEAUTIFUL STORY ABOUT FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS BOTH CHILD AND PARENT CAN RELATE TO. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE SUPERB.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A slice of life June 29, 2002

By betty jones

Format:Hardcover

After a long day of scrubbing crayon off the kitchen floor, scrubbing juice off the family room carpet, scrubbing eggs out of my children's hair... sometimes you just need to know there is someone out there who understands. I would say that this book is more for mothers than the Harriets, but my daughter loves it so much that I change Harriet's name to her's. Besides, that way she can identify with the fact that sometimes Mom yells, but Mom still loves her anyway. A beautiful story of messes, love and forgiveness. An absolute must for any imperfect family's collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For Mom or Tot ? May 12, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

We just borrrowed brand new book from our Library . I shared it with my 3 yr old ... she burst into riotious laughter and the precept is so touching, I cried ! It is written by an Auzzie Mum ...Mem Fox and perceptivly illustrated by Marla Frazee. The title is " Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild " Published by Harcort Inc. San Diego Ca.

It's about a Mom who "Doesn't like to yell" but... You can guess the rest. The antics of this little girl are so typical, your children will automaticly see themselves and of course YOU don't like to yell ,so, you have to identify with mom.

Give yourself a Moms Day gift and share this book with a little one !

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We love Fox, Frazee and Harriet! April 7, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

It was so great to see our family favorite, Marla Frazee, (check out her Seven Silly Eaters and Hush Little Baby!) teamed up with the fabulous Mem Fox and her wonderful way with words! We particularly LOVE Frazee for the warmth, comfort, personality, real life and humor she brings to all of her beautiful illustrations. Here, with her small, soft pictures, she gives us a very personal peek in on mother and daughter. "Harriet" was no doubt a must for our children's book collection!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Harriet, You'll Drive me Wild March 25, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

An absolutely delightful book that will show the reader all about how the love between a mother and a child doesn't change because of a few spills. Harriet is a child to whom accidents simply happen. Every time Harriet spills or breaks something her mom tells her she is driving her wild; but each time Harriet says she is sorry the reader knows all is forgiven and mommy still loves her! A great book for any parent to share with their child, especially those somewhat clumsy ones!