Synopsis
This funny, endearingly honest tale of tempers lost and tenderness found is sure to appeal to spirited readers everywhere.
Harriet’s fed up! She and Mama had a big fight, and now Harriet’s planning to run away. Grandma’s kisses won’t stop her. Papa’s spaghetti sauce won’t stop her. Mama’s cozy sweater won’t stop her...or will it? Elissa Haden Guest and Paul Meisel have teamed up to present a charming story of misbehavior, fury, and forgiveness that will be familiar to anyone, big or small, who has had an argument with a loved one.
Children's Literature
A huge tiff with her mom over the tidiness of her toy room leads Harriet, a spunky little raccoon, to resort to rudeness and copycatting. Momma picks up the bad girl and brings her directly to her room to think about her back-talking and slovenly behavior. Harriet determines she is "fed up, too!" and makes the necessary preparations for running away from home. With suitcase in hand, she is distracted from her course when her grandfather calls her from the garden. Grandpa hugs her goodbye and lets her go to get back to pulling weeds. Harriet cannot leave without saying goodbye to her dad and he, too, says he will miss her, but he has to "clean up [the] pots and pans." Mama is waiting on the porch for Harriet, where they "turn [the] day around" by forgiving each other. Apologies abound, and the bunch gets ready for a special spaghetti dinner. It may not be the natural diet of raccoons, but they certainly enjoy it. Watercolor, acrylic, and gouache create a cozy, but defined raccoon home. A keen eye will spot a tiny, fuzzy houseguest of the order Rodentia on several pages. Modern parenting and some mild sass make this a good choice for fans of Fancy Nancy. It is sure to circulate well. It is recommended for all public libraries. Reviewer: Kristy Lyn Sutorius