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Huge Harold
Poor Harold! HUGE Harold! No ordinary rabbit he. Harold just couldn't stop growing. Alas there was no room at home for a rabbit the size of a cow and for a while the world held no place for him.First there was the dark, spooky woods, where the weasels and foxes lurked; then the haunted house where he took refuge from the thunderstorm. And worst there were the hunters and their dogs.But fortunately the ending to this story is as gay and happy as the pictures and the lively verse in which it is told—for Harold becomes the idol of the countryside. And what more could a rabbit (even a HUGE one) want than to be petted and loved by all the children and to have such luxuries as carrot ice-cream?This lovely, ridiculous story will appeal to children of almost any age, and there is a nice moral for humans too—"For rabbits you see aren't affected by fame,No matter what happens they're always the same."
Hardcover
Published December 1, 1964
2 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Bill Peet
53 books235 followersBill Peet was an American children's book illustrator and a story writer for Disney Studios. He joined Disney in 1937 and worked on The Jungle Book, Song of the South, Cinderella, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, Goliath II, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Fantasia, The Three Caballeros, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and other stories.
After successes developing short stories for Disney, Peet had his first book published, Hubert's Hair Raising Adventure.
After successes developing short stories for Disney, Peet had his first book published, Hubert's Hair Raising Adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 22, 2020
I have a few reviews left for October from last year. Here is a story I read my nephew.
Harold had big feet and little did his parents know how big he would get. He grew so much, he had no where to hide and he had to go on the run. Hunters chased him, foxes and owls chased this big meal together. No where was he safe, not even the old haunted house in town. He hide in the tops of trees and under bridges and still he ran. Finally, it was snowy and he hoped into a barn where he meet a kind farmer who stopped the hunters. The man gave Harold a place to live and eventually he hitched Harold like a horse and let Harold go. I do love the end when Harold wins a horse race he’s so fast.
This is told in rhyme. It is fast paced and Harold has to move and move. I did wonder where the story was going, but I needn’t have as Bill Peet knows how to tell a good story. Harold looks rather scruffy, but for a rabbit on the run, I suppose he should. Bill doesn’t do overly cute, usually.
The nephew loved Harold the huge rabbit. He didn’t want the hunters to get him and he was worried. He too loved the ending at the race. He gave this 4 stars. He is a fan of Harold.
Harold had big feet and little did his parents know how big he would get. He grew so much, he had no where to hide and he had to go on the run. Hunters chased him, foxes and owls chased this big meal together. No where was he safe, not even the old haunted house in town. He hide in the tops of trees and under bridges and still he ran. Finally, it was snowy and he hoped into a barn where he meet a kind farmer who stopped the hunters. The man gave Harold a place to live and eventually he hitched Harold like a horse and let Harold go. I do love the end when Harold wins a horse race he’s so fast.
This is told in rhyme. It is fast paced and Harold has to move and move. I did wonder where the story was going, but I needn’t have as Bill Peet knows how to tell a good story. Harold looks rather scruffy, but for a rabbit on the run, I suppose he should. Bill doesn’t do overly cute, usually.
The nephew loved Harold the huge rabbit. He didn’t want the hunters to get him and he was worried. He too loved the ending at the race. He gave this 4 stars. He is a fan of Harold.
October 21, 2019
This is more predictable than the usual Peet fare, with the focus being on a 'misfit' (think Rudolph) who ends up being appreciated.
The verse format reads smoothly.
The verse format reads smoothly.
January 10, 2018
I accidentally tripped over Bill Peet as an author and illustrator in my elementary school library. The first and only book I can truly remember of him was his autobiography, which was a challenging read for my age group but one that caught my imagination. It was one that would introduce me to an amazing man who not only helped to build-up the Disney empire but one that did a wonderful job in also providing characters who weren't perfect but at the same time endearing.
This was a rather unique book for me to read as it was the only book that I have come across in which the narrative was told in a rhyming format. The story explores what it is like to be different from others, to live a life where one may be isolated from the support system that they have come to know and what it means to find friends in troubled times. At the same time the lesson is given that with a bit of help from others fears can be conquered and wonderful achievements can be reached once we find the right niche for us.
The illustrations are classic Peet all the way with their scraggly looks, their bleak and darkened woods and their charming warmth. At the same time uniquely different from any other illustrations, they present relatable characters whose faces aren't left for misinterpretation and a story that is told in its own right.
Definitely enjoyed this particular story and think that even though it was kind of long it was much shorter than a Peet work. Younger children in elementary school may most definitely enjoy this story if they are up for an older book.
This was a rather unique book for me to read as it was the only book that I have come across in which the narrative was told in a rhyming format. The story explores what it is like to be different from others, to live a life where one may be isolated from the support system that they have come to know and what it means to find friends in troubled times. At the same time the lesson is given that with a bit of help from others fears can be conquered and wonderful achievements can be reached once we find the right niche for us.
The illustrations are classic Peet all the way with their scraggly looks, their bleak and darkened woods and their charming warmth. At the same time uniquely different from any other illustrations, they present relatable characters whose faces aren't left for misinterpretation and a story that is told in its own right.
Definitely enjoyed this particular story and think that even though it was kind of long it was much shorter than a Peet work. Younger children in elementary school may most definitely enjoy this story if they are up for an older book.
March 12, 2018
Someone else's kindness helps Harold turn his strangeness into something productive and enjoyable.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
October 1, 2019
With Bill Peet's many animal-based picture books, it's really hard to choose a favorite. Huge Harold is a good contender due to its playful rhyming text. Plus, I just love seeing Harold so happy at the end.
April 28, 2013
Love!! Possibly one of my favorite books. This would be great for a rhyming example, also a lead on character development and the importance of being accepting.
September 29, 2014
Not too preachy, just a fun story.
October 1, 2017
I still really like the illustration style of all Bill Peet's books; Huge Harold is about a giant rabbit and the trouble he runs into until he finds his place.
July 13, 2019
Bill Peet for me is a combination of awesome illustrations, beautiful story telling and lovely rhyming. His books are so adorable that you just don't want to stop at one.
February 20, 2014
I will admit that when I saw the cover illustration for this book, I wondered if it was influenced by "Harvey", that Jimmy Stewart movie about man with the imaginary 6 ft tall rabbit companion. I really enjoyed this story about a young rabbit who can’t stop growing, though I know my son was a bit disappointed that there weren’t any trains in it. Harold outgrows his family and must seek refuge in the deep forest, but he only finds predators though, so he must run away.
He finds a field full of yummy vegetables, but the farmer doesn’t appreciate him eating his produce and tries to shoot him. Harold hides in an abandoned mansion during a storm and my favorite illustration from this scene is Harold completely overwhelming a tiny twin bed as he is sleeping in it. Two boys see him and tell some farmers, who chase him for months. Harold finally finds refuge in a barn, where a kind farmer lets him stay and then he ends up being a “thoroughbred” racer. Recommended for ages 4-7, 4 stars.
He finds a field full of yummy vegetables, but the farmer doesn’t appreciate him eating his produce and tries to shoot him. Harold hides in an abandoned mansion during a storm and my favorite illustration from this scene is Harold completely overwhelming a tiny twin bed as he is sleeping in it. Two boys see him and tell some farmers, who chase him for months. Harold finally finds refuge in a barn, where a kind farmer lets him stay and then he ends up being a “thoroughbred” racer. Recommended for ages 4-7, 4 stars.
February 28, 2010
Harold the rabbit grows so big that he becomes the size of a cow, and must leave his home to find refuge in dark woods or haunted houses, until one day he settles down in the hayloft of a barn. The farmer there takes good care of him and Harold becomes a famous and well-loved attraction at the fair.
April 23, 2013
Teaches students to find what they are good at (the rabbit found his niche, running). You may not always feel like you have a place, but there is a place for everyone. The whole story rhymes as well. Can use for sequencing to ask where the rabbit went and where he finally ended up safe.
January 26, 2008
it's a cute story.
July 9, 2008
Actually, my copy is hardcover. Oh well, Harold is great at any size!
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August 11, 2011Simply love everything Bill Peet ever did.
May 16, 2012
We love Bill Peet!
August 28, 2012
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
June 7, 2013
A guest teacher read this to my students and they absolutely loved it. I'm hoping to do an author study with Bill Peet using his autobiography in the future.
November 8, 2014
Bill Peet is one of my new favourite children's authors. This is such a cute and well written book!
February 5, 2015
Cute. Rhymed. Not as strong of a lesson as, say cowardly Clyde.
June 2, 2015
Clifford, in rabbit form.
August 21, 2015
Ellie rates 5 stars, Jacob and mom 4 stars
September 28, 2015
Cute story, love rhyming books!
October 20, 2017
I LOVE Bill Peet books. These are ones I grew up reading with my mom. She loves them too, so it's definitely a nostalgic read for me. My kids really enjoy his books as well.
July 19, 2018
This book kept my kids engaged (all three of them; ages 8, 6, and 3). The story was interesting and moved so smoothely with the rhyming verse.
September 6, 2021
Internet legend has it that Bill Peet, once one of Walt Disney's foremost artists, had a falling-out with Disney and struck out on his own. Maybe that's the explanation for why Peet's illustrations look so little like the Disney style. Whatever the case may be, I'm not sure I care much for the fast, loose look of these illustrations, especially when Harold's black-on-gray eyes look a little like they've been--well, gouged out! I would think this would have been a pretty spooky effect for youngsters of the sixties, when this book was created. Regardless, I have to say that Peet's rhyming text is letter--and rhythm--perfect, and I can certainly imagine reading this to a child and having him/her enjoy the singsong sound of perfect poetic meter. How exactly a giant rabbit finds happiness in life is a little screwball, but then I prize uniqueness. All in all, an interesting little read.
September 13, 2025
Cute story about a rabbit that grows really huge and of course is hunted and manages to escape into a kind farmers barn. He was exhausted and done running away but still not feeling very trusting and worrying about the farmer wanting to make him into a stew. The farmer didn't and instead hitched him up to a cart like a horse and went to the fair.
Its a good story, a little long for my 4 year old grandson who isn't always good about sitting still for a lengthier story. Some kids might be alarmed by the hunters and be worried for the rabbit. The story itself isn't scary though.
The illustrations remind me of books from when I was a kid, so a long time ago and I really enjoyed those as well.
Its a good story, a little long for my 4 year old grandson who isn't always good about sitting still for a lengthier story. Some kids might be alarmed by the hunters and be worried for the rabbit. The story itself isn't scary though.
The illustrations remind me of books from when I was a kid, so a long time ago and I really enjoyed those as well.
February 12, 2023
"Please!" cried his mother. "Stop growing right now!
Please Harold, you're nearly as big as a cow!"
Poor Harold. He never wanted to be huge, but we have no control over some things. You'll spend most of the book worrying and fretting over Harold's wellbeing and safety as he is chased by all sorts of nasty predators, but fear not - things turn out fine in the end.
I always love Peet's illustrations, and this one is no exception.
A fun story, and a BIG treat for rabbit fanciers.
Please Harold, you're nearly as big as a cow!"
Poor Harold. He never wanted to be huge, but we have no control over some things. You'll spend most of the book worrying and fretting over Harold's wellbeing and safety as he is chased by all sorts of nasty predators, but fear not - things turn out fine in the end.
I always love Peet's illustrations, and this one is no exception.
A fun story, and a BIG treat for rabbit fanciers.
March 10, 2021
I liked the pictures and the rhyming prose, but the message was mostly about being bullied as a misfit. It was pure luck he got to the right farmer’s house when he ran away from home. I was sad his family wasn’t more supportive and was just completely abandoned. It’s hard to embrace this as a children’s book for that reason. It requires a lot of explaining about why his family didn’t support him and I don’t know the answer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2023
I always think the mark of a good book that rhymes is that it's so subtle you don't even notice it rhymes. I got over half way done with this book before I realized it rhymed. I enjoy that. I just like Bill Peet's stories in general. This is the story of a giant rabbit. I enjoyed how everything turned out in the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews