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Harriet Dancing
So what if she's not a delicate little butterfly? Harriet the Hedgehog LOVES to dance! A springtime tale of friendship and self-acceptance illustrated by acclaimed artist Caroline Jayne Church.
Harriet the Hedgehog gleefully joins in the butterflies' dance--until she notices they've all stopped to stare. "Butterflies only dance with butterflies," they declare. Tears in her eyes, Harriet runs, trips, and tumbles down a hill. "Where've you been?" her friend Ivor asks when she finally arrives on his doorstep. "Dancing with butterflies. They look like flowers," Harriet sighs. Ivor exclaims, "You look like a flower, too!" Harriet sees her reflection in a All the flowers from her hillside fall have stuck to her bristles! And that makes her so happy, she starts to dance!
Harriet the Hedgehog gleefully joins in the butterflies' dance--until she notices they've all stopped to stare. "Butterflies only dance with butterflies," they declare. Tears in her eyes, Harriet runs, trips, and tumbles down a hill. "Where've you been?" her friend Ivor asks when she finally arrives on his doorstep. "Dancing with butterflies. They look like flowers," Harriet sighs. Ivor exclaims, "You look like a flower, too!" Harriet sees her reflection in a All the flowers from her hillside fall have stuck to her bristles! And that makes her so happy, she starts to dance!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2008
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 11, 2010
This is probably a three star book, really, but it includes two of my favorite things in the world, hedgehogs and dancing (!!!) so, I was predestined to like it. The illustrations are adorable although the text is just so-so. Little Harriet hedgehog sees the butterflies dancing on the air and she decides to dance, too, feeling so very happy. But the butterflies don't like her joining in THEIR dance (yes, I think these are the rudest butterflies in literature!), so she feels very sad until her friend offers to dance with her (yay, friendship!) and then other creatures want to dance with her and finally, yes, those nasty ol' butterflies give in and dance with them. Typical, typical, typical--but the illustrations and idea of hedgehogs dancing still give me warm fuzzies.
January 10, 2024
the text was okay and predictable, but the fluffy (not-so?) adorableness of Harriet the hedgehog dancing with butterflies makes up for it. the art style is fun and cute, and i think it's pretty appealing for its audience. Harriet loves to dance so when she sees the butterflies dancing, she joins in! and goodness, is she too darn cute while doing it!! the butterflies don't like that she joined in on their dance and so poor Harriet walks away feeling oh so sad (how dare those butterflies!!). Harriet's friends dance with her instead, then more animals start to dance with them too, annnnd then the butterflies join in. the simple narrative of others being unaccepting of you because of your differences, but being able to extend your kindness, forgiving them, and include them when the same situation reflects back again works well here and makes for a great lesson.
April 17, 2021
Pre K- K
This is a story about showing kindness despite not having been shown it by others. I’m a big fan of the simplistic art style used here, I think it makes it more fun. Overall it’s a positive story with a good lesson that many children and adults can afford to learn.
This is a story about showing kindness despite not having been shown it by others. I’m a big fan of the simplistic art style used here, I think it makes it more fun. Overall it’s a positive story with a good lesson that many children and adults can afford to learn.
April 19, 2018
The illustrations are adorable, and the story is cute. This would work well for a storytime about feelings or being kind, too.
January 18, 2019
Featured in a dance themed story time I attended with my 2 year old!
May 7, 2019
Dancing is for everyone. It’s a lot more fun w/ others & no one should ever be told only like dances w/ like.
October 22, 2024
The illustrations alone gave this book 3 stars… so adorable and nicely done. The dancing is super cute and I love Harriet’s character. Perfect for a classroom library!
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August 24, 2025A BSL signed version is introduced by Ruth Symes here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wym7Z...
I appreciated the effort taken and the beautiful enactment of the signer.
I appreciated the effort taken and the beautiful enactment of the signer.
September 20, 2025
Very cute! 3 year old liked it too
August 31, 2018
Harriet Dancing is a modern fantasy appropriate for grades K-2. I think that children would enjoy this book, therefore I would recommend it for a classroom, but I did not find interest in the book.
March 11, 2015
I originally picked this book up to possibly read for a Toddler Storytime on Prickly Things, but decided it was too long. It would work for a Preschool Storytime, though. My son and I enjoyed the book, and thought it was a cute story.
Harriet the hedgehog is going to her friend Ivor's house and on the way she says hello to all the animals. She sees a group of butterflies dancing and cheerfully joins them dancing all around until she realizes that they've stopped. They only want to dance with other butterflies, hedgehogs aren't allowed. She is very sad at this news and leaves to find her friend. One the way, she trips and falls down a hill and is covered with the petals of flowers. When she arrives at Ivor's door, she tells him about what happened and he says she looks like a flower, which makes her so happy that they both start dancing, and eventually all of her friends, and even the butterflies, join in. Recommended for ages 3-6, 3 stars.
Harriet the hedgehog is going to her friend Ivor's house and on the way she says hello to all the animals. She sees a group of butterflies dancing and cheerfully joins them dancing all around until she realizes that they've stopped. They only want to dance with other butterflies, hedgehogs aren't allowed. She is very sad at this news and leaves to find her friend. One the way, she trips and falls down a hill and is covered with the petals of flowers. When she arrives at Ivor's door, she tells him about what happened and he says she looks like a flower, which makes her so happy that they both start dancing, and eventually all of her friends, and even the butterflies, join in. Recommended for ages 3-6, 3 stars.
September 20, 2015
This book is a great story to share when discussing social-emotional issues in your classroom or with your child. It is a simple narrative that addresses friendship and diversity and the importance of embracing all people/creatures regardless of their differences. The author, Ruth Symes, has created a very likable main character named Harriett who is kind to all the creatures she meets during her morning stroll to a friends house. However, Harriett becomes sad when a group of butterflies tell her she is not welcome because she is not a butterfly. Symes does a great job addressing this issue with simplicity that a child will understand and in a positive light. The illustrations of the book are bright and colorful and grab the reader as the pictures almost dance around the page themselves. In an era of education that deals with bullying on a daily basis, this book is a great read for all classrooms. It is a great way to start a very important conversation with your children.
August 13, 2010
Harriet, the hedgehog, loves to dance and dancing with the butterflies is even better! But, the butterflies said, "Butterflies only dance with butterflies". Harriet was heartbroken, but her best friend, Ivor told her he would dance with her. Soon their enthusiam is infectious and the butterflies want to join in. Harriet says, "Of course, Dancing's for everyone, Big and Small. Dancing's for sharing with one and all"
Used for "An Actor's Life for Me!: Sing, Act, Dance" Storytime- October, 2010
Used for "An Actor's Life for Me!: Sing, Act, Dance" Storytime- October, 2010
January 20, 2009
Adorable illustrations, but the text was just so-so for me. The text felt a little long, and I think the story could have been distilled down to the essentials. For example, I don't think we needed to meet everyone Harriet saw on the way to her friend's house--they crop up again at the end of the story but I don't think they were necessary to tell the story.
July 14, 2010
Harriet Dancing by Ruth Symes is a sweet book with wonderfully cute illustrations. Harriet the Hedgehog is extremely happy dancing until the butterflies tell her she can not dance with them. Harriet's other friends offer to dance with her causing her to rejoice once again. And before you know it, those silly selfish butterflies change their minds and want to dance with Harriet too!
February 13, 2010
Great storyline! Great pictures! It teaches children that just because one group don't want you to be with them doesn't mean no one likes you. Sometime you have to start your own thing and others will follow suite.
May 24, 2010
I love hedgehogs and this darling book about a happy hedgehog is so sweet. She loves to dance and wnat to dance with the butterflies, but they don't want her...she is not a butterfly. But her friend, Ivor offers to dance with her.
December 31, 2012
A little cheesey by the end, but overall it's all right. Not quite what I was thinking in my storytime prep, but I'm a bit pressed for time in getting books to choose from. And I'm sure I could make this work. If anything I can have the kids stand up and dance along with Harriet.
November 29, 2013
A sweet hedgehog finds herself dancing with the butterflies while walking to a friend's house. When the butterflies shun her, however, her feelings are hurt. Can her other friends make her feel better? An excellent story about inclusion.
August 11, 2010
this one is fun too, I like the message in this one. We don't have to hold grudges, just because someone else isn't nice.
November 2, 2011
Colorful illustrations accompany this cute story
Harriet the hedgehog learns that dancing is for everyone, big and small.
Harriet the hedgehog learns that dancing is for everyone, big and small.
May 2, 2013
Everyone loves to dance!
May 17, 2014
What I loved about this book is the fact that Harriet was so forgiving. She allowed the butterflies to dance with her even though they did not extend the same kindness or courtesy. Excellent lesson!
July 8, 2014
Cute porcupines in the drawings. I like the way Harriet's quills swoop when she spins.
Want to read
March 27, 2008Released March 2008
January 22, 2012
Too damn cute!!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews