HARRIET, YOU'LL DRIVE ME WILD!

Fox offers a wry look at the often-tumultuous life of a toddler and her harried mother. Harriet is a typical young child: spilled juice, sticky jam, and broken crockery follow in her wake over the course of an ordinary day. Her mom tries very hard not to yell or get upset; after all, Harriet is always genuinely sorry. Yet, when Harriet’s pillow bursts during “quiet” time, so does her mother’s temper. In the aftermath of the outburst, mother and daughter apologize and the tale ends on an upbeat note as the two recognize the silliness of their situation and, feather-bedecked, clean up the room. Fox’s brief sentences capture the essence of everyday childhood catastrophes, e.g., “At lunch, Harriet slid off her chair and the tablecloth came with her, just like that.” Young children can appreciate Harriet’s predicament as she unintentionally wreaks havoc everywhere she goes. Fox’s sympathetic tale reassures readers that mistakes and angry outbursts do not alter the loving relationship between parent and child. Frazee’s lively illustrations sparkle as each of Harriet’s little episodes is depicted in humorous detail. Clearly drawn and colorful, they are a witty counterpart to the story. The story, insightful and with ample doses of gentle humor, should prove a soothing balm for exasperated moms and their busy little bees. (Picture book. 3-7)