Harry the Dirty Dog [Paperback]

Gene Zion (Author), Margaret Bloy Graham (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Harry is a white dog with black spots who loves everything . . . except baths. So one day before bath time, Harry runs away. He plays outside all day long, digging and sliding in everything from garden soil to pavement tar. By the time he returns home, Harry is so dirty he looks like a black dog with white spots. His family doesn't even recognize him!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Harry was a white dog with black spots who liked everything, except getting a bath." Taking matters into his own paws, he buries his family's scrubbing brush in the backyard and runs away from home before they can wrangle him into the tub. Harry gets dirty playing in the street, dirtier at the railroad, and dirtier still playing tag with the other dogs. When sliding down the coal chute, he actually changes from a white dog with black spots to a black dog with white spots! Of course, by the time he gets home he is completely unrecognizable to his family--even when he does all his clever flip-flopping tricks. In a stroke of doggy genius, he unearths the bath brush, begs for a bath, and the rest is history. Youngsters will completely relate to the urge to rebel, the thrill of getting dirty, and, finally, the reassurance of family. Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham's Harry the Dirty Dog, first published in 1956 and now rereleased with splashes of color added by the artist herself, is one of those picture books that children never forget. (Ages 3 to 8) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

This summer, old and new favorites get a second run. Originally published in 1956, Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion, illus. by Margaret Bloy Graham, chronicles the messy adventures of a runaway canine and his transformation "from a white dog with black spots to a black dog with white spots." Despite his showboating, his family doesn't recognize him until he's scrubbed clean. In this reissued edition, Graham has added splashes of color to some of her original pictures. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (October 6, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006443009X
• ISBN-13: 978-0064430098
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Dogs > Fiction
  • #50 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > General
  • #56 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have always loved Harry the Dirty Dog!, September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Harry the Dirty Dog (Hardcover)

I am an elementary school librarian in WV and each year I always anticipate the reading of Harry the Dirty Dog and the other Harry books to my students. They are always captivated with the stories of Harry and sit enthralled as I read to them. Often students request a reread of the Harry books throughout the school year. The Harry books become some of the most frequently checked out books after the children have heard the stories. We are hooked on Harry the Dirty Dog!! :)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet dog, sweet family, sweet story, July 4, 2000

By 

Shelley Gammon "Geek" (Kaufman, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harry The Dirty Dog (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

I love the Harry the Dirty Dog series! A great story for kids and adults who like to read a good children's book.

Harry is an adorable white dog with black spots (as is repeated throughout all of the Harry books)... and he's always getting dirty. His entire family loves him and he loves them right back. Even when he's dirty, Harry is still family... which makes a great parable for parents explaining to their children that while they may not be happy when their kids mess up, they are still loved nonetheless.

The illustrations of this happy dog frolicking around are absolutely precious. The story is endearing and I have my copy sitting on my coffee table.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A childhood favorite, April 26, 2000

By 

J. Hauer "me" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harry the Dirty Dog (Paperback)

I adored this book as a child and I still have my original copy of "Harry the Dirty Dog" packed away in my parents' attic. Not only did I empathize with Harry because as I child I hated baths as much as Harry does, but I also knew that even when I was at my filthiest, way down deep inside, I was still loved.

I have a very dirty dog at home who is in desperate need of a "fur cut". He reminds me of Harry because he's completely unrecognizable. However, no matter how furry he gets, we'll still love him, just like Harry's owners love him!