Harry & Hopper

Prolific Australian children's author Margaret Wild, whose work ranges from young adult verse-novels such as One Night, to dystopian picture-books like Woolvs in the Sitee, turns her attention here to that perennial childhood problem: the death of a pet. Hopper, so named because he was "as jumpy as a grasshopper" when he first came to live with his humans as a young puppy, was Harry's constant and loving companion. Until, that is, the day that Harry came home and learnt that he had been killed in an accident. Unable to process the news, or to grieve, Harry isolates himself for a time, until a series of ghostly visits allow him the opportunity to say goodbye....

Chosen as the 2010 Kate Greenaway Medal winner, Harry & Hopper features the show more lovely charcoal, gouache and watercolor artwork of Freya Blackwood - it was Blackwood's illustrations, as it happens, that drew me to this book, as I have been trying to track down as much of her work as possible, after being immensely impressed by the paintings in The Selkie and the Fisherman - artwork which manages to convey both the joyful movement of its canine and human characters, and the pathos of their parting. It also features a moving story that deftly captures that special bond between boy and dog, and the poignancy of unexpected loss. That said, I do think a little caution is advised, for those thinking of using this book as a form of bibliotherapy. The fact that Hopper comes back for a few ghostly visits might cause some confusion for very young children, or possibly lead to hopes that something similar might occur, in their case. With that caveat in mind, I would still recommend this one as a moving, thoughtful children's story about learning to say goodbye, after the loss of a animal companion. show less

I love Freya Blackwoods illustrations. Her loose Scribbly style with this book complemented by subtle watercolour. I’m an adult and this is a kid’s book but I get a little tired of kids books that are a bit too didactic. In this case it is dealing with the death of a pet. But... give me a bit more magic. I REALLY wanted Hopper to come back to life.... not just as a dream. There are lots of books out there now .... really written to instruct more than entertain: gay couples with kids, death of a parent, the migrant kid, the coloured kid etc etc, frankly, I find them slightly tedious... even when illustrated in the most delightful way as with this book. I really bought the book for the illustrations and they are magnificent. If I was show more just scoring the illustrations it would be 5 stars but found the story a bit of a let-down. show less

As someone who recently lost a beloved pet, this book brought tears. Harry and Hopper are the best of friends. Received when he was a little boy, Harry's dog goes wherever he goes. As a puppie, they ran together, played ball together, and while Hooper begins the night at the bottom of the bed, he ends at the top on a pillow with Harry.

One day, Harry arrives home and does not hear the familiar sound of Hopper's eager bark. His father gently tells him Hooper had an accident and is no longer with them.

Devastated, Harry cannot sleep in his own bed because he misses Hooper so much. His father allows him to sleep on a couch in the dimly lit living room. The first night, Harry feels as though Hooper is visiting him. But, the second night, show more Harry is alone. He goes to the back door and sees Hooper under the window. When he carries Hooper, he realizes he is very weak. Harry carries him to the top of the bed, and it is there he says goodbye to his very special pet.

The illustrations are lovely with facial expressions that match the emotions. This is a lovely story of a boy and his dog and his loving father. show less

I wonder if when you buy a child a dog, especially his first dog, if it would help to read him one of the children's bereavement books way before it was needed. I wouldn't want to traumatize a kid to make him fearful every day that he would lose the dog, but to help him appreciate each day we have with a dog maybe to soften the blow when it eventually does come.

Then I wonder how much a bereavement of a pet book would help when the time does come and a child, or a person who has had a pet since childhood, dies. Probably best if not too soon after the passing, but maybe a little while after.

I would be interested in hearing from people who have experience with children and a dog going to the rainbow bridge. Speaking of passing over the show more rainbow bridge, I like that expression and the story behind it. I think that would help more, and that is not covered in this book. I think what helps most is a new dog, especially a puppy, as a dog drags someone into the now and away from the past, even when the past is a dog that was dearly loved.

The drawings in the book are great. The story is good, but I think the events in the ending will not happen to the average person who has a dog pass over the rainbow bridge. Still a good book to read with a child and then have a discussion. show less

I wonder if when you buy a child a dog, especially his first dog, if it would help to read him one of the children's bereavement books way before it was needed. I wouldn't want to traumatize a kid to make him fearful every day that he would lose the dog, but to help him appreciate each day we have with a dog maybe to soften the blow when it eventually does come.

Then I wonder how much a bereavement of a pet book would help when the time does come and a child, or a person who has had a pet since childhood, dies. Probably best if not too soon after the passing, but maybe a little while after.

I would be interested in hearing from people who have experience with children and a dog going to the rainbow bridge. Speaking of passing over the show more rainbow bridge, I like that expression and the story behind it. I think that would help more, and that is not covered in this book. I think what helps most is a new dog, especially a puppy, as a dog drags someone into the now and away from the past, even when the past is a dog that was dearly loved.

The drawings in the book are great. The story is good, but I think the events in the ending will not happen to the average person who has a dog pass over the rainbow bridge. Still a good book to read with a child and then have a discussion. show less

"Harry & Hopper" is a story about a boy and his dog who are best friends. Harry and Hopper do everything together and are inseparable. One day when Harry comes home from school, Harry's dad explains to him that Hopper has passed away. Harry's is completely heart broken and his world is turn upside down. Harry doesn't want to sleep in his room because Hopper use to jump into bed with him during the night and Hopper wouldn't be doing that anymore. Harry decides to sleep on the sofa and during the night he hears something scratching on the window. He looks up to see Hopper jumping outside by the window. Harry is so happy to see Hopper and they play together throughout the whole night. The next night, Hopper returns but he isn't as solid or show more warm. Harry continues to play with him again throughout the night. On the third night, Harry sat up waiting for Hopper. Hopper didn't show up that night. Long after midnight, Harry went on the porch and there was Hopper, laying there curled up and cold. Harry went over and hugged Hopper and whispers to him "good-bye Hopper." Towards the end of this book, I actually cried. I've lost many dogs over the years and it's not an easy process to go through. For Harry, he lost his best friend. As a young boy, that's a hard thing to go through especially being little and not fully understanding. I think this could be a little confusing for young readers to realize that Harry was dreaming about Hopper and them playing together, but I think it's good to see what their minds are thinking. I think they can learn from this book that even when you lose someone, they will still be with you in your heart and in your mind. The illustrations were very detailed and colorful. When Hopper passed, the pictures got dark and gloomy showing the emotions happening in the story. On the very last page, there is a colorful picture of Harry's house from far away that can represent Harry moving on. Hopper will forever be remembered and in Harry's heart, but Harry has to move on and live his life. show less

This book tells a story about lost. A boy named Harry has a best friend, his puppy named Hopper. They spend most of the time with each other, playing, sleeping and working. However, one day, Hopper accidentally died and Harry refused to accept the lost of this friend. Through Harry's dream still spending time with Hopper, Harry eventually accepts Hopper's death and moves on.

Though the story is sad and gloomy, but the way the author address this experience is warm. The author introduce the concept of death in a friendly way for young readers. The author choose loosing a pet as a theme, which is common for readers, allowing readers to easily build connection with their own experience and real world. Lost someone is not scary, it is show more normal to be angry and upset, and it can be healed. The lines in pictures are blurry and soft, making a dream-like atmosphere, or more like a memory style. show less