"A fun story and a reminder to include everyone in your games."
Otters Elsie, Clive and Harry are doing their daily stretches on the riverbank. They’re all having fun, though Harry, who finds it very hard not to move, struggles with the stationary exercises.
His attention is caught by a heron, standing very still and stiff. What Harry doesn’t know is that Ray, the heron, is wondering why the otters never ask him to join in with them, and wishing they would.
When Harry pops up to tell Ray how much he admires his stillness, Ray responds by telling Harry he loves how much he moves. Soon they’re swapping tips, sharing their skills. Once Harry’s persuaded the other otters to let Ray join in their exercises, everyone can move – or not – together.
As always with Wendy Meddour, there’s lots of humour in this story even as it delivers a cool message about inclusion, thinking about others, and joining in. Merle Goll’s illustrations catch all the fun in the story, and give Harry and Ray real individuality while retaining their animal characteristics.
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: |
Can three best friends find room for a fourth member of their crew?
Otters Elsie, Clive, and Harry are best friends. They do everything together, including morning stretches and pretending to be logs - their favourite game. It’s just that Harry is not very good at keeping still and . . . who is that grey stranger further down the riverbank? He sets off to find out.
Ray the Heron is all alone and wonders why the otters never ask him to join in their games. It’s lonely sometimes being a heron - being left out is the worst feeling in the world. And then he meets Harry . . . Elsie and Clive are not happy with Ray and Harry’s brand-new friendship— after all, Harry is their friend.
But maybe there’s more to be gained from including others than leaving them out.
A positive message for young readers about not excluding others from friendship groups, with humorous text and wonderful characterization, the book’s theme is delivered with a light touch and lots of laughs. Merle Goll’s illustrations bring extra humour and appeal to lovable, though flawed, characters.
Harry and the Heron is perfect for fans of Wendy Meddour's other bestselling titles including Peggy the Always Sorry Pigeon.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Harry and the Heron and determined it is suitable for children aged 0-4 years old
Harry and the Heron features in the following genres: Books for Babies and Toddlers, Featured Books for 3+ readers, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, Funny, Animal Stories, PSHE: Self-Awareness, Self-Esteem and Wellbeing, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Picture storybooks, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s picture books, Children’s: picture books, activity books, early learning concepts, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Friends and friendships, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Relationships (non-family / groups), Romance / Relationship Stories
Harry and the Heron is available in Paperback
Harry and the Heron was written by Wendy Meddour and published by Oxford University Press an imprint of OUP OXFORD
Harry and the Heron has 32 pages
£7.19
