No Roses For Harry

No Roses For Harry - Gene Zion

No Roses for Harry is a story of adventure and determination. Harry receives a very strange and unappealing present from Grandma for his birthday, a sweater with roses on it. Harry hates the sweater and attempts to lose it by gaining help from a local bird. On an afternoon walk Harry sweater is spotted, however, it was now being used as a nest. At Christmas time Harry receives another sweater for a present, only this time it’s white with black spots, just what he wanted!

This picture book is a story that uses pictures to describe the writing on the page. If students were having trouble reading this the visual aids would assist them. A text like this would be most suited for students from reception until year four. It would be most suited to this year level as the students would be able to make connections about what is happening in the text, who the characters are, how the setting influences the outcome of the story and other decoding practices. A class discussion could be created about being appreciative for what we receive. The strong themes and messages within this text include: the giving and receiving, the importance of family and love. I thought this text was very clear and enjoyed the humorous way of which the story was told.

Author: Gene Zion, Pictures: Bloy Graham

1961 (Red Fox Books, Vauxhall, London

ISBN: 0-09-997880-6

Genre/Theme: Adventure, problem solving, Importance of giving

Age: R - 4

Contributor: Keelan Mackle