No Roses for Harry by Gene Zion.
Illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham.
Amazon Link: £4.05p
One of the greatest pleasures of reading to your children is when you discover that a book you loved as a kid is still in print, and still entertains as much as it did when you were young. "No Roses for Harry" was published in the 60s but the "Harry" series, featuring a mischievous dog and his exploits, are still readily available.
This book is superb and anyone who's received a dodgy hand-knitted sweater from an elderly relative for Christmas or a birthday can identify with Harry's plight. The text is entertaining and though Margaret Bloy Graham's illustrations are very much "of the era" (60s cartoon art), they're superb and there's plenty for youngsters to point out and look at.
Charlotte's best bit: The bird's nest at the end of the book.
Daddy's favourite bit: The expressions on Harry's face when he realises that yet another helpful soul has returned the sweater he's been trying to lose all over town.
Rating: 4 out of 5