SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Fusenews
  • Reviews
  • Librarian Previews
  • Best Books
    • Top 100
    • Best Books of 2022
    • Best Books of 2021
    • Best Books of 2020
    • Best Books of 2019
    • Best Books of 2018
    • Best Books of 2017
    • Best Books of 2016
    • Best Books of 2015
    • Best Books of 2014
    • Best Books of 2013
  • Fuse 8 n’ Kate
  • Videos
  • Press Release Fun

February 25, 2019 by Betsy Bird

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion, ill. Margaret Bloy Graham

February 25, 2019 by Betsy Bird   11 comments

HarryDirtyKate got a dog! A doggy dog of her very own. And you know what goes together well, like peaches and cream? Dogs and picture books. So I had to figure out a classic dog picture book. And lo and behold I realized that in spite of its relative fame we had never done a book about this particular dirty dirty dog. In the course of things we solve the mystery of why Harry never rolls in mud. It’s not just because tar, coal, and soot are fun to draw. They’re all black-colored ways of getting dirty! That way he never becomes brown. Meanwhile, I noticed on this most recent read that this is a VERY springtime-related book. I greatly appreciated the robins and the daffodils. Here in February, my eyes are hungry for any and all spring things.

Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, PlayerFM, or your preferred method of podcast selection.


Show Notes:

– By gum, this is an actual address in Ontario. Right smack dab in the middle of University Gardens, if Google is to be relied upon.

HarryDirtyDog4

– Okay, folks. We solved the mystery of why Doctor DeSoto has an open flame in his office. So riddle me this: Why are there three bombs in the street where they’re repairing potholes?

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

HarryDirtyDog5

– The highly disturbing children’s book picture on Twitter that I allude to is The Great Dog Bottom Swap. Full credit to Stephanie L. for finding it. Click on it to blow it up. Or, alternate thought, don’t.

GreatDogBottomSwap

– And for that matter, why is there a lovely lady hood ornament on a dump truck?

HarryDirtyDog1

– Palm trees in a cafe in Toronto. Odd.

HarryDirtyDog2

– So, if a strange dog jumps into my tub, my first reaction is not going to be, “I’m going to leave my two children alone with this dog so that they can clean him.”

HarryDirtyDog3

– Here’s an obit for Margaret Bloy Graham and another article about her from WBUR.

– The book was #43 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll.

– Curious to see the Complete Listing of All Public Children’s Literature Statues in the United States? Well here it is. And at Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI you’ll find this adorable little Harry. You can clean him. Look at that adorable guy!!

HarryDirtyDogStatue

– I wasn’t wrong. The Scottish Granny did read I Need a New Bum. Here, you can watch her yourself:

– Ex Libris! A librarian board game!

ExLibris

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
Fuse 8 n' KateHarry the Dirty Dog

About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

March 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: Gerald McBoing Boing by Dr. Seuss

by Betsy Bird

March 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

by Betsy Bird

March 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: Curious George Goes to the Hospital by Margaret & H.A. Rey

by Betsy Bird

February 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: The Mitten by Jan Brett

by Betsy Bird

February 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: A Valentine for Norman Noggs by Valiska Gregory, ill. Marsha Winborn

by Betsy Bird

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

BLUE FLOATS AWAY Turns Two!

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Faced with a Parenting Dilemma? Write a Book About It! Jacob Grant Comes By to Talk About NO FAIR

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Pardalita | Preview

by Brigid Alverson

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Post-It Note Reviews: Wish granters, brotherly mischief, a high-stakes scavenger hunt, and more!

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey Try Something New

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

A State-by-State Guide to the Coalitions and Campaigns Fighting Legislation Criminalizing Librarians

How Gaming and Esports Foster Social-emotional Learning Skills

Slice-of-Life Stories: Gentle Manga About Daily Living | Mondo Manga

'All Boys Aren't Blue' Author George M. Johnson's Mom Joins Attendees Speaking Out Against Book Banning Attempt in NJ

SLJ's Starred Books of 2022 | The Year in SLJ Covers

About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ms. Yingling Reads (@MsYingling) says

    February 25, 2019 at 5:20 am

    If it makes you feel any better, those aren’t bombs. They are road construction flares. I know this because in one of Mattingly’s books, Beany Malone steals one and the oil leaks onto the floor of the basement rec room she is trying to redecorate. I couldn’t find many pictures online, but here is one from Etsy, in case you need your very own.
    https://www.etsy.com/listing/266819083/smudge-pot-road-light-vintage-road

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      February 25, 2019 at 10:04 am

      Thank you!!! This clarifies so very much for us. I swear, I learn far more about the applications of fire in everyday life in the past through picture books than I ever expected.

      Maybe I’ll get one for Kate for her birthday.

  2. Emily Schneider says

    February 25, 2019 at 8:45 am

    This was a wonderful idea; Harry deserves some renewed attention. As far as the parents allowing their kids to bathe an unknown dog, isn’t it possible that they know very well that he is actually Harry?
    It’s interesting that the Times obituary praises Graham’s art for its “whimsy and delicacy.” In contrast to all the dirt and trains, there are also so many little things in these pictures: the hood ornament which you point out, the rich lady glancing at her watch in the restaurant, and the tiny car which the boy is holding by a string. The pictures are so busy, but not in a trivial way.
    Thanks for this post.

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      February 25, 2019 at 10:05 am

      Yeah, I think you’re on to something there. It is entirely possible that the family is in on it. We’ll discuss this in an upcoming episode.

      • Benji Martin says

        February 25, 2019 at 3:43 pm

        I already sent you an email about it, but I absolutely think the family knew it was Harry and that they were luring him into the tub.

        • Elizabeth Bird says

          February 25, 2019 at 10:02 pm

          Kate and I agree that this is probably the most logical conclusion.

    • Stephanie Lucianovic says

      February 25, 2019 at 6:16 pm

      I love this theory! My favorite Harry book was the one where they make him wear a sweater with roses on it and how he hated it.

  3. Rachel J Fremmer says

    February 25, 2019 at 8:55 am

    Do you know Gene Zion’s book Really Spring? Your spring comment made me think of it.

    I am now salivating over the librarian board game.

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      February 25, 2019 at 10:05 am

      Oo! No I did not. Off to find!

  4. Jill says

    February 25, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    *laughing so hard I cried* Loved your comment about Mama Berenstein Bear! I too could never figure out why she always wore a nightcap. If it had been a bonnet – no problem but it was a nightcap!

  5. Jenny says

    February 26, 2019 at 3:02 am

    My two year old son does not understand the premise that it was one dog all along. Hence he insists on calling this book, “Harry the Dirty Dog and Cleany the Clean Dog.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

  • External Links

    • A Fuse #8 Production Reviews
  • Follow This Blog

    Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    Primary Sidebar

    • News & Features
    • Reviews+
    • Technology
    • School Libraries
    • Public Libraries
    • Age Level
    • Ideas
    • Blogs
    • Classroom
    • Diversity
    • People
    • Job Zone

    Reviews+

    • Book Lists
    • Best Books
    • Media
    • Reference
    • Series Made Simple
    • Tech
    • Review for SLJ
    • Review Submissions

    SLJ Blog Network

    • 100 Scope Notes
    • A Fuse #8 Production
    • Good Comics for Kids
    • Heavy Medal
    • Neverending Search
    • Teen Librarian Toolbox
    • The Classroom Bookshelf
    • The Yarn

    Resources

    • 2022 Youth Media Awards
    • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
    • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
    • Summer Reading 2021
    • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
    • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
    • Summer Programming Survey
    • Research
    • White Papers / Case Studies
    • School Librarian of the Year
    • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
    • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

    Events & PD

    • In-Person Events
    • Online Courses
    • Virtual Events
    • Webcasts
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Media Inquiries
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Content Submissions
    • Data Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQs
    • Diversity Policy
    • Careers at MSI


    COPYRIGHT © 2023


    COPYRIGHT © 2023