Imagine Harry [Hardcover]

Kate Klise (Author), M. Sarah Klise (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

Meet Harry. He is the best friend a little rabbit could have. But no one else can see Harry, so Little Rabbit is extra careful to look out for him. He makes sure Harry gets plenty of cookies, no brussels sprouts, and absolutely no baths. Then Little Rabbit starts school, and he discovers that friendships change. Luckily, the best sorts of friends always know just when they're needed.         

          

Sisters Kate and Sarah Klise have created a profoundly sweet, emotionally true story about growing up, starting school, and the beauty of having a best friend (imaginary or not).

(20070801)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1—Little Rabbit and his imaginary best friend do everything together until the youngster starts school. While Harry's status is never explicitly stated, he is represented by a blank space, and the bunny's friends call him "Imagine Harry." The text strikes a balance between humor and understanding without patronizing Little Rabbit. His mother is good-natured about her son's request for two lemonades and four cookies so that he can share with his companion, but her patience begins to wears thin after he says he cannot go to bed, wash his hair, or eat Brussels sprouts because of Harry. As Little Rabbit adjusts to school and his life begins to fill up with new friends and activities, Harry fades away until one day he is startled to realize that he has not seen his imaginary playmate in weeks. The acrylic illustrations reflect the gradual change, as the empty spaces become less prominent and eventually disappear. Warm tones of apricot, blue, and brown infuse the pictures, reinforcing the themes of acceptance and love. Detailed settings emphasize the importance of home and school in the rabbit's life, such as multiple family photos hanging on the walls. The family is composed of himself and his mother, a fact that is never mentioned but will be appreciated by single parents looking for books that reflect their own lives. Make room on the shelf for this warm, funny story.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* Most people have heard of Harvey the rabbit, Elwood P. Dowd's invisible pal. Here, the protagonist, Little Rabbit, has an invisible friend named Harry. They have all the usual fun, and Mother makes sure she gives Harry the requisite number of cookies and doesn't accidentally sit on him. When Little Rabbit starts school, Harry, comes too. One day, during a particularly fun music class, Harry tells Little Rabbit that he's going to take a nap. When Mother later asks Little Rabbit where Harry is, Little Rabbit admits with surprise that his friend has moved away. In words and art, this strikes just the right chord. The gentle yet witty text captures the importance of imaginary friends in a young child's life, even as it reinforces the idea that they disappear when no longer needed. The message plays out in beautifully crafted acrylic paintings that create a child's whole world—days both snowy and sunny, all kinds of friends, a household with scattered toys, and a warm mother-son relationship. The ending is nostalgic but true to a child's understanding. Cooper, Ilene

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152057048
• ISBN-13: 978-0152057046
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

KATE KLISE is an author of many genres. She has written picture books, as well as middle-grade novels, all illustrated by her sister, Sarah. She has also written two young adult novels and is a freelance reporter for People magazine. Kate lives and writes in Norwood, Missouri. www.kateandsarahklise.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's enchanting. -- Destined to be a bed-time classic !, May 20, 2007

By 

An Intelligent Reader Who Likes Smart Books - See all my reviews

This review is from: Imagine Harry (Hardcover)

This book belongs on every bookshelf !

It's time to rejoice ! Sisters Kate & Sarah Klise continue to make the world a lovelier place due to their storytelling skill, love of humanity and terrific insights on community, family & love.

Opening this book & sharing it with a child is like sharing... a hug !

Sarah uses wondrous, inviting, vibrant colors that lift readers from the ordinary and takes them "over the rainbow" into a fun place of imagination, tenderness and caring. Kate casts a spell by presenting accessible, nurturing and real moments.

We all had an imaginary friend when we were young, didn't we??? On the cinema screen, Jimmy Stewart had Harvey, the 6 foot tall invisible hopper.

In this joyous picture book that celebrates play, creativity and friendship, we meet Little Rabbit and get introduced to his mom and, of course, his magical, hard-to-see but easy-to-imagine ally and companion Harry.

I've pre-ordered 15 copies of "Imagine Harry" and am sending it to all my friends -- whether they have kids or not.

If I was an independent bookstore or even the local B & N or Borders, I'd plan on including this family-friendly romp in the next "Bring your pillows" or "Milk & cookies" reading circle oriented to moms & toddlers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A warm, fun and identifiable read, May 12, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Imagine Harry (Hardcover)

Kate and M. Sarah Klise's IMAGINE HARRY tells of Little Rabbit's very best friend Harry - who is imaginary. Little Rabbit is too busy having fun with his friend and avoiding baths to care who else sees him. Kids will find a warm, fun and identifiable read in this gentle picturebook store of a very good fantasy pal.

5.0 out of 5 stars Use your Imagination, June 4, 2007

By 

Kelly Herold "Big A little a" (Smalltown, Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Imagine Harry (Hardcover)

Little Rabbit has a best friend. "Some of the other animals called Little Rabbit's best friend Imagine Harry. But Little Rabbit just called him Harry."

Little Rabbit and Harry do everything together. They roll down hills, play in the snow, share meals together with Mother Rabbit. Mother Rabbit sometimes tires of Harry's whims, as Harry likes to stay up late and doesn't like his hair washed. When Little Rabbit informs Mother that Harry can't eat brussels sprouts, because he "didn't like the smell," Mother says, "Your friend is starting to wear out his welcome." Poor Harry.

When Little Rabbit begins school, Harry has to sit with his best friend at the same desk and be very quiet. Over time, as Little Rabbit makes more and more new friends, Harry absents himself from Little Rabbit's life. In the end,

"Little Rabbit made many new friends that first year of school. He didn't think about Harry very much--except once in a while in the spring, when the smell of new grass reminded Little Rabbit of the hills he and Harry used to roll down together.

Harry loved doing that."

As anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of all children have at least one imaginary friend before the age of seven (depending on which study you trust), "Imagine Harry" brings comfort to both the child and the adult reader. Kate Klise's poignant story is straightforward, compassionate and fun, while her sister's warm illustrations are reminiscent of Clement Hurd in the best of all possible ways. (Little Rabbit even sleeps in a green room.)

"Imagine Harry" is highly recommended for all children ages three to eight.