Book description
Harry is a black and white dog who hates having a bath - so when he sees his owner with the dredded bath, he runs away. But in the end, harry gets so dirty that his owners dont recognise him and so he has to beg for the thing he…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Harry the Dirty Dog as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
First published in 1956, Harry the Dirty Dog is still around and charming young readers. To avoid a bath, Harry buries the scrubbing brush in the yard and then runs away. He gets into entertaining scrapes and messes, eventually returning home so covered in dirt and soot that he is unrecognizable to his family. Panic! How will Harry convince his family that he is their missing pet? I read this on repeat to my kids when they were young, and today I also read it during library storytimes. The retro art is visually appealing and the story has just-high-enough stakes…
From Emma's list on children’s books about dogs.
When Harry, the family dog, runs away from home and gets covered with dirt, his family no longer recognizes him. Frantic, Harry tries everything to help them figure it out, even digging up a brush that he had buried earlier. But nothing works until the family gives the strange dog a bath and, voila, their beloved Harry is back!
The illustrations are stylized in a way that connect well with the simplicity and wholesomeness of the story. This story makes no attempts to teach kids a lesson. It’s simply telling kids an adorable and uncomplicated story about a family dog.…
From Lisa's list on children’s classics and one that should be.
If you love Harry the Dirty Dog...
Jane Addams
This biography for middle-grade readers and up explains who Jane Addams was and why she caused such a stir worldwide. The story follows Addams' first childhood realization of how poverty limits lives, livelihoods, and health to her becoming one of the most beloved―and disliked―women of her day. She worked to…
Want books like Harry the Dirty Dog?
Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Harry the Dirty Dog.
Share your top 3 reads of 2025!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,395
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like Harry the Dirty Dog, you might also like...
Mamiachi & Me
Mamiachi & Me is a lyrical and empowering picture book about what it means to be a mariachi in an all‑female band.
Today, Rosa will take the stage next to her mami and play along with her popular mariachi band. But Rosa begins to worry. What if the audience doesn’t…
Hazel and Mabel
A satisfying story of rediscovering friendship after time spent apart.
For many years, Hazel and Mabel were inseparable. The two friends made up stories, spent the night together, and shared their snacks. Then, Mabel moved away. As time passes, Hazel and Mabel think of each other often, but they also…
