Harriet, You'll Drive Me Mad

Bibliography

Fox, Mem. 2000. Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! Ill. by Marla Frazee. Hong Kong: Harcourt. ISBN: 0152019774

Plot Summary

The story begins with a vivacious, young child named Harriet waking up in her bed. Throughout the day, Harriet manages to create several messes. Throughout all these mishaps, her mom attempts to be patient and calm. However, after many incidences, Harriet’s mom begins lose her temper. In the end, their love for each prevailed over the materialistic messes.

Critical Analysis

The setting of the story appears to be in a humble yet clean suburban place. From the illustrations provided, there is no extravagant furniture, possessions, clothing or daily electronic devices, just the bare necessities. The main characters, such as the mom and Harriet appear to be of Anglo decent. The illustrations are beautifully done in pencil and transparent drawing inks on Strathmore paper, hot press finish. These illustrations are calm and relaxing with details that allow readers (and listeners) see that this is a home just like theirs. The text is written in American English and provides no apparent cultural markers representative of other English speaking countries. In addition, the phrase “drive me wild” is used frequently here in the states

Children and parents alike can associate themselves to this storyline. A mother trying to take care of a child and trying to accomplish daily chores while Harriet plays. Parents and children can relate to the frequent reprimands and words used to prevent the child from doing something wrong. Mem Fox has created a wonderful picture book full of funny details that will appeal to readers of all ages and around the world.

Review Excerpts

Hazel Rochman (Booklist, March 1, 2000 (Vol. 96, No. 13))
It's a scenario that nearly every young preschooler--and loving parent--will recognize. Harriet is a pesky kid. She doesn't mean to be (she says), and she's always really sorry after she knocks over her juice, drips paint on the carpet, rips open a feather pillow, and creates mayhem and mess. Her increasingly exasperated mother starts off with affectionate protest ("My darling child"), but under the sweetness, Mother's anger is rising, until, finally, she yells and yells and yells. Harriet cries, her mother is sorry, and they hug each other and laugh together. As in Hush, Little Baby , Frazee's colored pencil and ink illustrations extend the story with unexpected angles, details, and juxtapositions that will make kids laugh at the mess and look closely at the expressions of temper and affection. What's great here is that as the tension rises and rises, you can't wait for the sweetness to go away, the pent-up anger to be released, and have mother and child be open about their feelings.

Dawn Cobb (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 13, No. 2))
This is a delightful story of an energetic little girl named Harriet Harris and her patient but-all-too-human mother. The story allows us to peek in on an atypical day with Harriet and her mother. Each incident escalates as the day progresses. Students as well as adults can certainly relate to this universal story.

Connections

This story begs to be read by a mother to a child-boy or girl. This is an excellent way to help children understand that we all have bad days and do things wrong-but mom will always love you.

Here is another book about things going wrong, but this time, Dad is in the picture. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

Author’s Web Site: http://www.memfox.net/welcome.html

This website is full of information about Mem Fox and tips for sharing literature.