Harvey's hideout

by Russell Hoban

Book Overview

For big sisters and little brothers in dens, burrows, and houses everywhere."Mildred," said Father Muskrat, "it is true that Harvey is selfish and inconsiderate, but he is not stupid and no-good.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0006BYRKC
• Release Date: January 1969
• Publisher: Parents' Magazine Press
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.

Customer Reviews

One of my very favorites as a child...

This book was one of my very favorites as a child, and my children adore this book as well (my mother has the original copy and they love for me to read it to them when we visit her house!). My children always giggle when Harvey and Mildred stick their tongues out at each other and call each other "stupid, no-good, loud-mouthed and bossy"! I always wished I could have a secret underground hideout across a lake in the woods, and a raft to use to get there. Two of my other favorites (and my childrens') are Miss Suzy and Miss Twiggley's Tree - fabulous stories and fabulous illustrations!

An absolute favorite childhood book!

My grandmother, who was a school principal and also gave me more books than toys, would read this, tirelessly, over and over again from the time I couldn't write out my whole name, until I could read it myself (but still wanted gramma to read it to me). I didn't even have siblings at the time, but I absolutely adored this story! I still have the original copy where I practiced writing my name in the cover, but still couldn't make an S come out right. To this day, almost 3 decades later, I still remember Mildred's beautiful party dress with dirt thrown on it by Harvey, the little picture of an indian Harvey put on the wall of his cave--the tea party Mildred had with her doll (was her name Lucinda?) Those illustrations were amazing. I look forward to reading this over and over again to every child I come in contact with!!!

A childhood favorite for me as well... :)

Coming from a family of schooteachers, my mother successfully made sure that I always had more books than toys. I may have resented it as a child, but as an adult, I look back with nothing but gratitude and appreciation. Harvey's Hideout was one of my very favorite books. I read it countless times. It is such an endearing story and I can remember the beautiful, vibrant illustrations as if I saw them yesterday. I loved Mildred, as mean as she was! I loved her independence...her creativity...and her yellow-flowered dress! To me the story showed the importance of family and acceptance and love for one another, even if it's a brother whom you just wish would go away! They say that "Books are your friends" and Harvey's Hideout was one of my very best. If I am ever fortunate enough to come across a copy again, it will have a permanent place in my book collection. A must-read for children of all family structures, in my opinion...a real treasure. ~Enjoy~

Also, my favorite book from childhood.

Living on a farm with no real neighbors to speak of, my little brother and I not only loved this book, but we also lived it. Just like Harvey and his sister Mildred, we fought like crazy but we also discovered that when school was out, we only had eachother. The book made us laugh and also taught us something about being good to your brother or sister.

My favorite book from childhood

When I was about 5, my mother signed me up for a book/album club. "Harvey's Hideout" was one of the many books I received through my subscription, but it is the one I remember most fondly. My mother would read it to me at naptime. I had it memorized, and quickly told her she had skipped a page if she dared try to skip through the book. Being a tomboy, I wanted to do all the things Harvey and his sister were doing, like forming my own club, cooking bacon and eggs over an open fire, and swimming in a lake. It's the stuff my childhood dreams were made of. If you ever cooked out in your backyard, or made forts, or had brothers or sisters, you'll love the charm of this book. It's hard to express how quickly, thoroughly, and happily this book takes me back to 1969. I think that kids today would understand its charm, too. If you have a little one, make it part of their collection, or do as I am, and buy it for yourself.