Harry's Home [Paperback]

Laurence Anholt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 29, 2000

A picture book telling the story of Harry, a city child, who goes to stay with his Grandad in the country - without his mum, for the first time. Deals with grandparents, homesickness, city versus country life and the importance of knowing just where you belong. Illustrated by Catherine Anholt.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With a varied collection of cheery, ink-and-watercolor illustrations, the Anholts (The Big Book of Families) create warm picture postcards of both country and city life in this picture book about the meaning of home. Harry loves his family's city abode, surrounded by the whir of fire engines, escalators and people rushing through the big and small streets. But when Harry receives an invitation to visit his grandfather's farm in the mountains, he's eager to experience Grandad's way of life. Country living is too quiet and slow for Harry at first, but the fun begins when he learns to care for a newborn lamb and help with the farm chores. Harry soon feels (almost) right at home, but he still knows he's happiest in his familiar urban surroundings. The text's comforting tone and gentle pacing capture the feelings of young children who are just beginning to explore the bigger world and to establish their own place in it. Throughout, small spots of art, clever borders, expansive scenes of bucolic countryside and bustling cityscape, and tender close-up family portraits all work together to give readers a distinct sense of venue. Ages 3-6. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Harry lives in the city and his Grandad lives on a farm in "the mountains across the sea." One year, the child is deemed old enough to spend a week with his grandfather, who comes to pick him up. It's a long journey on a bus, train, boat, another bus, and a taxi. Once at his destination, Harry feels odd and homesick for a while, but Grandad helps him to become accustomed to the farm and lets him care for a newborn lamb. Finally, it's time for Harry's mother to fetch him and they go home. The boy has learned that there are "LOTS of different kinds of homes, where lots of different kinds of people lived" and that his own home is "just right for Harry." This very satisfying adventure has detail-packed, pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations that have a friendly look and plenty of child appeal.
Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Orchard/Watts Group (June 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841216038
• ISBN-13: 978-1841216034
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,864,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Illustrations and a Story to Match, January 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Harry's Home (Hardcover)

I checked this out of the new books section at our local library, and my 3-year-old really likes it. He is a child that loves the familiar and seems to empathize with both the grandfather's desire to go back to the country and Harry's desire to go back home to his mom in the city. The illustrations are really fabulous -- detailed, but with great whimsy, and a really extraordinary use of color. We had never read anything before by the Anholts, and Harry's Home led us to check out another five or so yesterday. Both my 2-year-old and 3-year-old loved Billy and the New School, one of the Anholts' previous books. Harry's Home is a great discovery. I recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Instant Favorite, May 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Harry's Home (Hardcover)

This is a charming book with a clever story and appealing illustrations. The moral is that new things grow on you, as did this book. After checking it out several times at the library, we decided we must have it. Bravo.