Harry and Willy and Carrothead: A Picture Book About Friendship, Baseball, and a Prosthetic Hand for Kids

by Judith Caseley

Harry was born with no left hand. When he got to school, the kids asked him what was wrong with his arm. "Nothing," said Harry. "That's my prosthesis."

Harry's hand didn't keep him from being a good baseball player -- or a good friend. Harry and Willy and Carrothead are three of the most real kids you are apt to meet between book covers, and you will like them as much as they like each other!

Genres: Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published March 18, 1991

Reviews

[Abigail]

Born without a left hand, Harry grew up like any other child, learning to run and walk, enjoying making art, letting his parents know he had his own mind. When he first went to school the other children asked about his prosthetic arm, but his matter-of-fact answers and participation in all activities soon set everyone at their ease. Harry became good friends with Oscar, nicknamed 'Carrothead' because of his flaming red hair, and he stood up for this new friend when Willy teased him. Soon, the trio of boys were all good friends...

Published in 1991, Harry and Willy and Carrothead addresses issues of disability, difference and friendship in a friendly, matter-of-fact way. I greatly appreciated the fact that author/artist Judith Caseley created a story in which the disabled child's physical difference is not the only area of concern. So many children's books in this vein end up highlighting the way in which such children are different, even when the intended message is that such differences should be treated with compassion and respect. Here however, both Harry and Oscar are different - the one has a prosthetic hand, the other red hair - and both differences are commented upon in potentially problematic ways by the boys' peers. Caseley isn't equating a physical disability with having red hair (nor am I), but she is subtly pointing out that many people have something that could set them apart, not just the disabled. Therefore, treating difference with tolerance and respect isn't simply a question of the abled treating the disabled with kindness, but of everyone being tolerant of others and of themselves. This message is driven home by the fact that it is Harry, the ostensibly disabled boy, who sticks up for Oscar, who hates being called 'Carrothead' because of his red hair. In the end, I think this is a far more empowering message than many I have seen in other children's stories with these themes.

All in all, definitely a picture-book worth picking up! Recommended to anyone looking for good children's stories about the themes of difference, disability and friendship.

[Ashley Fulkerson]

This book hits very close to home for me because my little sister has one hand, and my parents have gone through the same experiences that Harry's parents went through in the beginning of the book. This book gives a great message to the reader about standing up for others and also being comfortable in your own skin. This book surprised me because it would seem to me that Harry would be the one that needed someone to stand up for him when in turn it was Oscar that needed it. I also thought that the illustrations depicted the emotions of the storyline well.

[Allie Walsh]

This book does a really good job of getting across the idea of friendship and how differences don’t define you.

[Pam]

Harry was born without a left hand. Readers see him learn to do everything in his own way. When he goes to school, the other kids ask about his prosthetic. At first they watch him and treat him differently, but he is more than capable of doing everything they can. He even stands up for a friend who doesn't like his nickname - Carrothead.
Solid message about acceptance and belonging.

[Abigail Niemiec]

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade: 1-3
This school addresses a student with a prosthetic, something young children may not be familiar with.

[Thomas]

The book is fit for children to read because it has concerned about an important issue that always happens all the time. It is hard to teach every kids of kindergartens and tell them how to empathize other children, who are suffered from some kinds of diease that they do not expect. I hope this book can teach them how to back up and cheer up those who need help in their life time. Helping other people may be too difficult for them to take it in practice but this kind of event can tell and teach them how to do as they are grown up. I think children should learn what is respectfulness in their childhood so that they won't do such a bad thing for this society in the future.

[Katy Brandes]

This story has a good lesson about the golden rule, and it's told in way that probably seems real to a kid. Nobody like to be made fun of, and these kids talk about real emotions. The main character raises his fists in anger, which happens in real life when tempers flare, so there's no false treatment and sappy alternatives given. Luckily, the kids don't actually fight but settle their differences. Good moral here.

[Gabriela Murillo]

I thought this book was very interesting and helps young children to learn of children with disabilities and how they enjoy and live their lives with no problem. Most importantly how their disability doesn’t stop them of doing what they love. This book also encourages young children to write books of their experiences just like the author did.

[Gretchen]

Wonderful picture book that teaches about valuing and accepting differences and friendship and how to be a friend.

[Jyh-haw Teng]

A psychically disabled doesn't matter your characteristic. Like the main role in the story, he has no left hand, but he is still a optimism boy. Nobody should frustrated for the of their body.

[Melissa Brickel]

Very cute book about friendship. Teaches everyone to be kind to each other

[Christina]

Great book to teach children about friendship. Good intro to talk about bullying.