Mother's Day Mess: A Harry & Emily Adventure (A Holiday House Reader, Level 2) [Paperback]

Karen Gray Ruelle (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Harry and Emily Adventures

A Holiday House Reader.Harry and Emily plan to give their mother the best Mother's Day ever.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Kittens Harry and Emily want to give their mother a special present for Mother's Day, so they ask her what she gave her mother when she was a child. Mother tells them that Grandma always replied that she didn't need gifts; that her daughter was the best one of all. The kittens think that they can come up with something better than "that silly no-presents stuff." After some helpful hints from dad, they organize a gift tray of mom's favorite flowers (marigolds), special pancakes (the ingredients include peanut butter and marshmallows), and a handmade card. Not surprisingly, nothing goes as planned, but mom is delighted nonetheless. Whimsical details enliven the story. Beginning readers will recognize themselves in thoughtful Harry and rambunctious Emily. Ruelle's naive ink with colorful wash artwork is charming and perfectly suited to the text.
Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-2, younger for reading aloud. It's March, and Harry and Emily, last seen in April Fool! (2002), are making plans for Mother's Day. While most children don't think that far ahead, every other aspect of the story is thoroughly childlike. The two kittens discuss possible things to do for their mother and decide to give her flowers, a card, and breakfast in bed. Since Emily forgets to water her marigold seeds, her plants don't grow. On Mother's Day, the pancakes Harry makes are decidedly lumpy (maybe it's the marshmallows). And when Emily jumps onto her mother's bed, the breakfast tray tips and the pancakes, flowers, card, and maple syrup spill onto the covers. Children will enjoy reading about Harry and Emily's plans and misadventures. Their realistically child-sized dilemmas are solved through a combination of their own efforts and a little help from their parents. The simple, stylized line drawings, washed with gentle colors, are spontaneous and expressive. Entertaining Mother's Day fare for young readers and, as a read-aloud choice, for younger children as well. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823417816
• ISBN-13: 978-0823417810
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,428,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute as can be, May 13, 2011

By 

Grandma Karen "GrandmaK in Ohio" (Cincinnati OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother's Day Mess: A Harry & Emily Adventure (A Holiday House Reader, Level 2) (Paperback)

Our almost 3-year-old granddaughter LOVED this story. It was cute, funny, realistic, and had a nice vocabulary so she was learning as I read to her. She really enjoyed the artwork as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars TERRIFIC -- gender-neutral series! DAUGHTER loves it!, May 20, 2008

By 

a reader in DFW - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother's Day Mess: A Harry & Emily Adventure (A Holiday House Reader, Level 2) (Paperback)

This is yet another WONDERFUL installment in the HARRY AND EMILY series.

Our 6-year old daughter is an avid and excellent reader. She loves this series.

We have given MOTHER'S DAY MESS (and others in the series) as GIFTS to BOYS AND GIRLS aged 7-8 years and received only positive feedback from the children and their parents.

HIGHLY recommended FUN, funny and age-appropriate reading!

ENJOY!