Harry the Dirty Dog

I think this is a perfect picture book. I remember loving the story when I was little, and I love it just as much now, if not more. There’s a clear initial problem: Harry likes everything, except getting a bath. So he buries the scrubbing brush and runs away and has a wonderful day getting dirty, but then when he goes back home (because of course he hasn’t really run away), his family doesn’t recognize him. And when all hope seems lost, he remembers the scrubbing brush and digs it up and runs into the house and jumps in the tub and begs for a bath. And so the thing he hates is the thing that saves him. And everyone is happy. And then the last page delivers a delicious last little kick, as Harry dreams of “how much fun it had show more been getting dirty” and he sleeps so soundly that he doesn’t even feel the scrubbing brush he has hidden under his pillow. His attempt to solve his initial problem has led to a greater problem which he finally solves by accepting the thing he was trying to avoid in the first place. And then comes full circle, hiding the brush again. It’s just so satisfying in every way. show less

I thoroughly enjoyed this book because I thought it was a cute story and the illustrations were really descriptive. The language used in the book was simplistic with many repeated words and phrases, such as “dirty” and “played.” This makes the book easier to follow, allowing for better comprehension. I thought that the plot had a nice flow and pace. Each place Harry went to, he became dirtier and dirtier. He became so dirty that he looked as if he was a black dog with white spots, the opposite of his real colors, and he finally decided to return home. When he arrived at his home, his owners did not recognize him and thought he was a stray. Thus, his adventure, in order to not have a bath, may have caused a much bigger problem. show more Harry quickly realized the only way to show he truly was their dog, was to withstand his disdain for baths and take one. This main message of this book is to appreciate what we have, and although there may be things we do not want to do, they are good for us. show less

Harry hates a bath so much he buries the bath brush and runs away from home. By the time he returns he is so dirty he has turned from a white dog with black spots to a black dog with white spots. His family doesn't recognize him until he actually convinced them to give him a bath.

This one holds a special place for me as a rare book that still exists in my childhood memories. It's a particularly nice memory because I related so strongly to Harry. I was a very dirty little child.

It was based on my own nostalgia that we bought it for my 2-yr-old son. He likes it, but what surprised me was my 4-yr-old daughter's reaction. She loves it, and tells me every time I pick it out, "Dad, I really like that one." I can't think of any other book she show more says that about. show less

I liked the book Harry The Dirty Dog for two reasons. First, I liked the illustrations of the story. The illustrations enhanced the plot while adding a visual aid to the written components of the story. The illustrations were extremely descriptive including a lot of detail pertaining to the plot of the story. For example, “Harry played at the railroad and got even dirtier. He played tag with other dogs and became dirtier still.” The illustrations used along with the written text included vivid images of the dog, Harry, playing on the railroad tracks and with other dogs. It showed Harry transition from a white dog to a dirty, black and brown discolored dog. These illustrations were colorful and appealing especially for younger show more readers to follow along with the storyline. Second, I liked the plot of the story as it followed an organized and easily, readable flow. For example, the story began with “Harry was a white dog with black spots who liked everything, except getting a bath.” The story then progresses and follows the same flow when it restates toward the end, “Harry changed from a white dog with black spots, to a black dog with white spots.” The story followed the same even pace of Harry changing from clean to dirty and back again whilst changing back to his original color and spots. The big idea of the story was to not judge someone based on appearance. As humans, we tend to rely on visual recognition and appearance as a key factor in judging someone without fully knowing anything about the individual. show less

In my opinion this was a wonderful book for three reasons. First, the language throughout the book was clear, organized, and descriptive. For example, “Harry was a white dog with black spots who likes everything, except…getting a bath,” unambiguously describes what Harry looks like as well as the focus of the book. Another reason I liked this book is because the plot is engaging and easy to relate to. For example, the author does a wonderful job in grabbing the reader’s attention throughout Harry’s journey roaming the streets and makes the reader want to know what is going to occur next. Lastly, the illustrations throughout the book were fantastic and greatly enhanced the written language. For example, “he rolled over and show more played dead,” is enhanced through different illustrations showing Harry performing all of his tricks to prove to his family that he was their dog. The main message of this book is that in life, there are many things that we don’t necessarily want to do, but we do them anyway because of the people who care about and love us. show less

I had mixed feelings about this book after reading it. I liked it because of the plot and the main character who is a mischievous dog. The dog's name is Harry and he doesn’t want to take a bath so he runs away. When he comes back he is black instead of white because of all the dirt on him so his owners don’t recognize him. The story ends with harry getting a bath and his owners eventually realize that it’s him. However this story lacks a moral, which makes it not as engaging as it could be. This book is only for entertainment.

Cute little picture book in which a white dog with black spots who does not want a bath escapes for some very dirty adventures that result in him looking like a black dog with white spots. He's so dirty that his family doesn't recognize him! Finally, he brings them a scrub brush for a proper bath, they realize he's their dog, and they're all happily together again.

The book's a little dated--kids aren't going to know what a coal chute is and we don't have coal dust-spewing trains anymore. Still, a few props to the author for having a white dog with black spots becoming a black dog with white spots; it doesn't totally avoid the association of black with dirt and wrong, and white with clean and right, but at least it's not a total show more black-and-white situation (pun totally intended). show less