Hi, Harry!

by Martin Waddell

Harry Tortoise is slow. He's v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y slow. He wants someone to play with. But everyone is so quick. Will he ever find a friend who is as slow as him? This book carries the strong, positive message that everyone is different.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Friendship, Childrens, Humor, School

Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_W...

Also writes under the pen name Catherine Sefton

Martin Waddell is the author of more than one hundred books for young readers.

Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2004).

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be using this story for the fourth and final summer session of Backyard Bookworms, a preschool story time program, at the MJC Great Valley Museum. The program is turtle and tortoise-themed, and I will be sharing the differences between the two. The children will also get to see a real turtle and a real tortoise. I will also be covering the concepts of fast and slow.

Hi, Harry! is a cute twist on the "tortoise and the hare" story. In this story, Harry the Tortoise wants to play with a friend, but everyone he meets is too fast and in a hurry. Slowly, he makes his way to find another friend who is slow like him. I also think the illustrations are very sweet.

[Sharper1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this one! Everybody's too fast for poor Harry, but he finally finds a friend.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this to my 2 year old granddaughter the story is basic and repetitive so beginning readers would enjoy it and not be to hard for them to read. My grandbaby loved the illustrations. I enjoyed the storyline...as though it was simple it taught that although you maybe a bit different from others and others may not want to include you keep true to yourself and you'll find a good friend.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the sweetest books about trying to make friends. Peppered with subtle humor, its gentle sadness reaches and invokes empathy among young listeners toward our slow tortoise who is having trouble finding someone to slow down to befriend him.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry is soooo slow, and Rabbit, Badger, and Mouse just have no time to talk to him. But Harry is able to enjoy the world around him, and he eventually finds just the right friend who enjoys taking it slow, too.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet story that shows it is ok to be slow and that there is always a friend out there who will share things in common with you. My toddler loves this story and I enjoy reading it again and again.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a simple story, one a very young child will like. Harry is an endearing character brought to life by Barbara Firth's illustrations. Plenty of white space and a panel of uncredited insects who bring a sweet story thread.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet. Could work for friendship, getting-to-know-you, or turtle storytime themes.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great language about slowing down and making a friend like you. Clever ideas. lovely sentiment.
(2003)
Book format is wider than tall to give the reader a wide view. It matches the pace of the text.

I love his work. Simple, to the point, pleasant and lovely.

Always a pleasure - remember he wrote Let's Go Home Little Bear (1991)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is so soothing and gentle. Two stars right off the bat for that! Harry is such a friendly turtle, it is only right that he should find himself a perfect BFF. We are all happy for him as finds that friend to play with at the end of a long, but always hopeful, search.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your friends are too fast, get slower friends.

[Christine Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and Slow Story Time.

Harry is always slow...too slow to make friends, it seems. Is there anyone who will befriend Harry?

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book to a group of two-year olds and their caregivers. It is a sweet story about finding a friend, simply told.

[Edward Creter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry is a turtle who needs friends to play with. He has asked others as an invite for fun and frolic, but they seem too busy or too fast in their hectic schedule to take a hint. Then a snail moves S L O W L Y with Harry and they are the ones with much to talk about and have fun with each other. Sometimes we need to slow down quite a bit to enjoy life with people who are slower. Slow people can show you how. Have fun with this book.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friends come in all shapes and sizes--it is always so nice to find one who understands you for you! I liked that this story focused on the friendship of two creatures who tend to be overlooked because of their slowness. The pictures are nice and the characters are mostly likable. Good for elementary school kids who are learning about friendship.

[Stephani Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry is a slow turtle who tries to make friends but everyone is just to fast for him. He tries a rabbit, a badger, and a mouse. Finally a snail finds him and they are great friends who play games like slow races.

Picture Book

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

We could learn a lesson from a slow moving turtle. Sometimes we need to get off the fast lane of life and just enjoy the slow lane with a good friend.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just so sweet. Great for slow stories.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best turtle books of all time! This one is a great read aloud.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

kindy kids enjoyed this - and i enjoyed reading to them

[pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tortoise tries to find someone who will play with him at his own speed.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun

[Tanya Wadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations, good book with a good message.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, using animals for friendship.

[Catherine Clancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about friendship

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

you can do this in a slow Harry voice. It;s great.

[Taylor Brune · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book that would be great for PK and K students. The story is about a tortoise meeting news friends. The illustrations were very good.

[Sam W · Rating 2 out of 5]

All about a tortoise that is looking for a friend to play with and finally finds one.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh