Children's Picture Books

Harris Finds His Feet

By: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Good Books
Publication Date: May 2008
ISBN: 978-1561486168
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: February 15, 2010

Harris the hare wasn't very big, but when he looked at his humongous feet, he felt very out of place. He asked his grandfather about those "enormous feet" and Grandad told him that he'd show him just why hares have them. Harris still looked a bit downcast, but Grandad had that all knowing look about him. Grandad began to hop and bop and jump up into the air. Harris mimicked him and very soon he was bouncy bouncing all around. It almost looked like Harris was cracking a little smile.

Next Grandad took him up to the top of a mountain and told him, "with your strong feet, you can hop to the top of the world." Together they both watched some birds fly over the mountaintops. Grandad and Harris were enjoying their time together. One was teaching and the other was learning about how special he really was. They became closer and closer as the days went by. Harris even learned about what to do when he saw a wolf. Was Harris ever going to learn to be on his own? Would he learn how special he really was?

This is an adorable story of how a young hare, with his Grandad's help, learns to accept who he is. Every little one is insecure about one thing or another and this is one of those tales that is reassuring; many things youngsters feel are liabilities are in reality assets. I also like the intergenerational relationship with the grandfather, who told Harris all about how special not only his feet were, but also how special he was. The artwork is whimsical, with a light humorous air.

Quill says: This is the type of story that would be perfect for a grandfather to read to a grandchild!