Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Hound and Hare
Fiction
For ages 6 to 8
Groundwood Books, 2011 ISBN: 978-0888999870
Harley Hare and Hugo Hound live in the same village and go to the same school. They are interested in the same things but unfortunately their families “can’t stand one another” so the two youngsters never interact.
One day Harley asks why he can’t race in the field with the other animals. His mother explains that it is too dangerous because the Hounds will be there. Not far away Hugo is asking his mother the same thing, and she is telling him that he cannot be in the race because he has to stay away from “those carrot munchers.” Both youngsters are frustrated by this state of affairs and they decide to sneak out of their homes to go to the race.
Soon Harley and Hugo are racing across the countryside, oblivious of everything except their determination to win the race and defeat their enemy. The only thing that catches their attention is a storm, and what a storm it is. Soon they are facing bigger problems then their mutual dislike of one another.
Often children make decisions based on the opinions of their grownups. Most of the time this is a good thing, but there are times with grownups are just plain silly. This book explores the idea that friendship and cooperation can be built out of a bad situation if everyone opens their minds and their hearts.
Divided into five short chapters, this is a book that children will be able to relate to with ease. They will appreciate the fact that in this book at least, the youngsters are the ones who save the day.
