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Harry and Horsie
When a boy named Harry sneaks out of bed one night with his best friend, Horsie, to play with his Super Duper Bubble Blooper—an out-of-this-world adventure begins!
Illustrated with retro-comic art, this is a charming story about the power of friendship and imagination.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2009
1 person is currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
March 5, 2015
Remember the times when you couldn't sleep at night? Harry and Horsie is a boy named Harry who can't sleep at night and takes his best friends, Horsie, and they sneak out of bed one night. Mesmerized by the moon, they decide to take a trip to outer space. They ride a rocket and travel around space. This is a cute book when talking about onomatopoeia with students. There are a lot of words like "Zoom" and "Bloop". The pictures are really nice, almost looking like a comic book. I really like the dark colors, showing that it's night time. Overall, I would recommend this book to younger kids.
Read
September 24, 2009I pulled this book off the shelve because the cover caught my attention. As I read through the book I was just amazed by the illustrations. Every page is unique and original, looking as if they come straight from a comic book. The illustrator, Lincoln Agnew, used a limited color palette of blues, red, yellow, and white giving it a super hero vibe. The illustrations are intriguing and go along great with the story. Any child would love this adventurous story of imagination and friendship.
December 18, 2009
The story, unfortunately, does not suit the fantastic illustrations.
September 15, 2018
This charming story features Harry, a mischievous hero or little boy who is devoted to his favorite stuffed toy but imagines himself as a space adventurer. He delights in seeing his toys having their own adventures. He cheers his cars as they race on Saturn’s rings, and spots Kitty luxuriating in the Milky Way. Instead of going to sleep, Harry plays with his Super Duper Bubble Blooper and laughs as the bubbles float his toys away. When Horsie gets picked up in a bubble, however, he goes on a rescue mission. This story is a really cute bedtime story, I feel most children will enjoy.
December 3, 2019
Summary:
Harry and Horsie are inseparable, wherever Harry goes so does Horsie. So what happens when Harry's Super Duper Bubble Blooper sweeps Horsie away! Harry has no choice but to go and bring his buddy back home.
Review:
This illustrations and colors in this book are bright and retro! The actions will have your students wondering just how Harry is going to get Horsie back from outer space. Does a great job of showing just what friends are capable of doing for each other.
Paired Books:
Green Wilma, Frog in Space by Tedd Arnold
Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice by Judy Schachner
Quote:
"There was no time to lose! Harry put on his helmet and grabbed his goggles."
Harry and Horsie are inseparable, wherever Harry goes so does Horsie. So what happens when Harry's Super Duper Bubble Blooper sweeps Horsie away! Harry has no choice but to go and bring his buddy back home.
Review:
This illustrations and colors in this book are bright and retro! The actions will have your students wondering just how Harry is going to get Horsie back from outer space. Does a great job of showing just what friends are capable of doing for each other.
Paired Books:
Green Wilma, Frog in Space by Tedd Arnold
Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice by Judy Schachner
Quote:
"There was no time to lose! Harry put on his helmet and grabbed his goggles."
March 30, 2018
Harry and Horsie went everywhere together. One night, when Harry coudn't sleep, he got down his bubble blaster and blooped bubbles all through his room. Oops! The bubbles got big enough to carry away his toys, including Horsie, so Harry goes on a space adventure to find him.
June 5, 2017
Clever story with beautiful artwork. Not one that my boys want to read over and over though.
January 16, 2018
Great illustration, unamusing story.
October 20, 2018
Ok. A one read book for my little one though.
April 18, 2021
Wonderful book!
October 7, 2022
I just loved the vintage feel to this book. The illustrations made me feel like it was straight out of the 50's just with a more modern story. Perfect for a bedtime story.
November 15, 2022
Love the illustrative style, but found the story to be mediocre.
March 25, 2023
Very cute, a lot of fun reading for both children and their adults.
March 8, 2018
Accelerated Reader BL: 2.5
Lexile: 560L (Estimated)
The best word to describe this book is "cute." The character is cute in the illustrations is cute and the story is cute. The limited color is unique and kind of fun too. I liked it, but I'm not in love.
Traits: Presentation, Sentence Fluency
Lexile: 560L (Estimated)
The best word to describe this book is "cute." The character is cute in the illustrations is cute and the story is cute. The limited color is unique and kind of fun too. I liked it, but I'm not in love.
Traits: Presentation, Sentence Fluency
November 21, 2014
This little gem worked perfectly with this week's story time theme blend of "Stars & Cowboys". Yahoo!
Try a "conversational story time" with pre-schoolers...and watch their "Emergent Literacy" skills grow.
Read the title. "Harry and Horsie". Tell them Katie Van Camp had the idea and wrote the words. Lincoln Agnew made the pictures. (You're creating the awareness, over time with each introduction of a book, that books are made by people.)
The first page of this book is illustrated in silhouette. Point to some of the shapes and ask the child / children "What is this?" "What is happening?" "What do you think we'll see when we turn the page?"
(You are engaging in "Dialogic Reading" which stimulates their "Narrative Skills" which gives a child the ability to make descriptions, tell stories, and understand flow.)http://www.readingrockets.org/article...
Turn page.
"What do we see?" "Does he have a name?" "Do you think these words over here on this page will tell us who they are?" (You are creating "Print Awareness", drawing the child's attention to the existence and function of print.)http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/...
Read page. Read next page (which is formatted like a comic book, with four boxes)
More involvement suggestions..
Invite children to make the "bloop, bloop, bloop" sound with you (unbeknownst to them they are engaging in an emergent literacy skill--phonemic awareness, the ability to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.)
Ask questions. "What did he find on Saturn?" (There's a "Vocabulary" moment for you!--becoming aware of specific names of things. In the case of reading readiness--the more vocabulary in a child's "bank", the better!)
Encourage involvement. "Can you meow like a cat?" (Children LOVE making animal sounds, and it provides another exercise in "phonemic awareness".
Here's the deal-y-oh. It's fun. Just plain fun.
Try a "conversational story time" with pre-schoolers...and watch their "Emergent Literacy" skills grow.
Read the title. "Harry and Horsie". Tell them Katie Van Camp had the idea and wrote the words. Lincoln Agnew made the pictures. (You're creating the awareness, over time with each introduction of a book, that books are made by people.)
The first page of this book is illustrated in silhouette. Point to some of the shapes and ask the child / children "What is this?" "What is happening?" "What do you think we'll see when we turn the page?"
(You are engaging in "Dialogic Reading" which stimulates their "Narrative Skills" which gives a child the ability to make descriptions, tell stories, and understand flow.)http://www.readingrockets.org/article...
Turn page.
"What do we see?" "Does he have a name?" "Do you think these words over here on this page will tell us who they are?" (You are creating "Print Awareness", drawing the child's attention to the existence and function of print.)http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/...
Read page. Read next page (which is formatted like a comic book, with four boxes)
More involvement suggestions..
Invite children to make the "bloop, bloop, bloop" sound with you (unbeknownst to them they are engaging in an emergent literacy skill--phonemic awareness, the ability to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.)
Ask questions. "What did he find on Saturn?" (There's a "Vocabulary" moment for you!--becoming aware of specific names of things. In the case of reading readiness--the more vocabulary in a child's "bank", the better!)
Encourage involvement. "Can you meow like a cat?" (Children LOVE making animal sounds, and it provides another exercise in "phonemic awareness".
Here's the deal-y-oh. It's fun. Just plain fun.
July 13, 2012
Van Camp, K. (2009). Harry and Horsie. New York: Balzer & Bray.
9780061755989
Appetizer: One night, Harry and his stuffed animal Horsie are having trouble sleeping. So, Harry decides to get out his Super Duper Bubble Blooper to make bubbles. When one of the bubbles carries Horsie away through the window, it's up to Harry to rescue him. His quest will take him around across the solar system.
I liked the comic style of Lincoln Agnew's illustrations. They very intentionally bring to mind the comics of the 1950s. And the story itself matches the classic feel of the illustrations.
The picturebook is very relatable for young readers with a personified stuffed animal and an imaginative adventure that takes Harry to other worlds.
Dinner Conversation:
"It was way past bedtime, but Harry wasn't tired. Neither was Horsie."
"Wherever Harry went, Horsie went too, so they crept across the room. Harry knew exactly how to get his Bubble Blooper down. And of course, Horse helped him."
"Bloop bloop bloop
Soon bubbles of all shapes and sizes filled Harry's room."
"And then, all of a sudden, a giant bubble BLOOPED and swept up...Horsie!"
"There was no time to lose! Harry put on his helmet and grabbed his goggles."
To Go with the Meal:
Great for entertaining young readers, this book positions a young imaginative child as a superhero who can rescues others. But while doing that, Harry and Horsie doesn't include any violence (in fact the bubble gun-while fun-actually causes Harry's problem by carrying Horsie away).
This picturebook could also start a tentative discussion on other planets or could be paired with an information picturebook on space or space travel.
In response to the story students could also describe their favorite imaginary friend or stuffed animal and could describe an adventure they would like to go on together.
Tasty Rating: !!!!
9780061755989
Appetizer: One night, Harry and his stuffed animal Horsie are having trouble sleeping. So, Harry decides to get out his Super Duper Bubble Blooper to make bubbles. When one of the bubbles carries Horsie away through the window, it's up to Harry to rescue him. His quest will take him around across the solar system.
I liked the comic style of Lincoln Agnew's illustrations. They very intentionally bring to mind the comics of the 1950s. And the story itself matches the classic feel of the illustrations.
The picturebook is very relatable for young readers with a personified stuffed animal and an imaginative adventure that takes Harry to other worlds.
Dinner Conversation:
"It was way past bedtime, but Harry wasn't tired. Neither was Horsie."
"Wherever Harry went, Horsie went too, so they crept across the room. Harry knew exactly how to get his Bubble Blooper down. And of course, Horse helped him."
"Bloop bloop bloop
Soon bubbles of all shapes and sizes filled Harry's room."
"And then, all of a sudden, a giant bubble BLOOPED and swept up...Horsie!"
"There was no time to lose! Harry put on his helmet and grabbed his goggles."
To Go with the Meal:
Great for entertaining young readers, this book positions a young imaginative child as a superhero who can rescues others. But while doing that, Harry and Horsie doesn't include any violence (in fact the bubble gun-while fun-actually causes Harry's problem by carrying Horsie away).
This picturebook could also start a tentative discussion on other planets or could be paired with an information picturebook on space or space travel.
In response to the story students could also describe their favorite imaginary friend or stuffed animal and could describe an adventure they would like to go on together.
Tasty Rating: !!!!
December 3, 2017
The genre for this book is children's lit/adventure. One unique feature of this book is is the fascinating retro-style it has. This book could be used in a 1-3rd grade classroom.
Read
February 7, 2012Reviewed by Kathy Gorgon
With the moon shining through the window onto his new Super Duper Bubble Blooper, Harry finds it hard to fall asleep. With the help of his dearest friend and partner in crime, a stuffed horse named Horsie, Harry captures the bubble gun from the shelf and begins firing. Before long, bubbles of all sizes are filling Harry’s room and, suddenly, bubbles are swallowing up his toys and floating them out the window towards space. First his toy train, then his cars, his planes, his shoes, and then... Horsie! Without a moment to spare, Harry prepares himself for an unforgettable adventure in space to rescue his friend and return safely home. Katie Van Camp’s debut picture book Harry and Horsie is an imaginative story of friendship, loyalty and adventure. The tale is brought to life through the actionpacked vintage comic-inspired illustrations of Lincoln Agnew. Agnew’s use of comic panels and splash pages ensures that there’s always something exciting to see on each page. This charming picture book is sure to satisfy anyone’s thirst for adventure and it celebrates the notion of that friends can come in all shapes and sizes.
Canadian Children's Book News (Fall 2009, Vol. 32, No. 4)
With the moon shining through the window onto his new Super Duper Bubble Blooper, Harry finds it hard to fall asleep. With the help of his dearest friend and partner in crime, a stuffed horse named Horsie, Harry captures the bubble gun from the shelf and begins firing. Before long, bubbles of all sizes are filling Harry’s room and, suddenly, bubbles are swallowing up his toys and floating them out the window towards space. First his toy train, then his cars, his planes, his shoes, and then... Horsie! Without a moment to spare, Harry prepares himself for an unforgettable adventure in space to rescue his friend and return safely home. Katie Van Camp’s debut picture book Harry and Horsie is an imaginative story of friendship, loyalty and adventure. The tale is brought to life through the actionpacked vintage comic-inspired illustrations of Lincoln Agnew. Agnew’s use of comic panels and splash pages ensures that there’s always something exciting to see on each page. This charming picture book is sure to satisfy anyone’s thirst for adventure and it celebrates the notion of that friends can come in all shapes and sizes.
Canadian Children's Book News (Fall 2009, Vol. 32, No. 4)
September 4, 2025
Fun retro illustrations for this bedtime, space adventure.
Ages: 3 - 6
Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
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Ages: 3 - 6
Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
January 4, 2023
Harry and Horsie are best friends. And then one night, Horsie gets trapped in a bubble and floats off to space. Harry must rescue him. Based on Dave Letterman's son, the story is charming and fun. Illustrated in a classic style it will take parents back to their own youth. It is almost like a Calvin & Hobbes without the cynicism. My kids loved this story on first reading and asked for it again and again. It will soon become a family favorite. Van Camp and Agnew have created a great story and hopefully there will be many more adventures with Harry and Horsie to come.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
February 19, 2010
Harry goes to sleep and the moon comes through his New York city window, shining on his Super Duper Bubble Blooper. He makes several bubbles and then his toys get inside some of the bubbles and go out the window. But then his friend Horsie ends up in a bubble and Harry must go on a rescue mission in his toy rocket ship. Retro futuristic comic book style art in blue red yellow and white adds a lot to a good bed or naptime story for 2-4 year olds. Written by the nanny of David Letterman's boy.
March 21, 2013
Harry and Horsie is a wonderful mix of friendship and adventure. Katie writes an immensely amusing and fun story for children to grasp onto and accompanied by the visually appealing artwork, this book is sure to be a hit with kids. Who wouldn't want to take an adventure into space on a rocket ship to find their lost toys and best friend Horsie that were carried away by bubbles? I sure enjoyed it and look forward to telling my family and friends about this amazing children's book! A true classic every child should read, or have read to them!
October 30, 2013
Author: Katie Van Camp
Illustrator: Lincoln Agnew
Genre: Science Fiction
Grade Level: 2.4
Lexile: 150L
Summary: This is the story of a little boy Harry and is friend Horsie. Harry has a toy called the Super Duper Bubble Blooper that makes tons of bubbles appear in his bedroom. Instead of going to sleep Harry makes bubbles that pick up his toys. When Horsie gets picked up, Henry must fly into space on a rescue mission. This is a good book for younger kids and wanting to teach using the Science Fiction genre. It is also a good book for talking about the power of friendship.
Illustrator: Lincoln Agnew
Genre: Science Fiction
Grade Level: 2.4
Lexile: 150L
Summary: This is the story of a little boy Harry and is friend Horsie. Harry has a toy called the Super Duper Bubble Blooper that makes tons of bubbles appear in his bedroom. Instead of going to sleep Harry makes bubbles that pick up his toys. When Horsie gets picked up, Henry must fly into space on a rescue mission. This is a good book for younger kids and wanting to teach using the Science Fiction genre. It is also a good book for talking about the power of friendship.
August 20, 2011
27 months - borrowed this from the library after reading and loving the second book Cookie Bot. Love the illustrations and the hints to Canadian roots, a CN train and the French store with the name Regina (a Canadian city). We enjoyed the story although Cookie Bot is slightly better in our opinion. Harry's love for his pal Horsie is super cute and O can relate as she has a few good pals of her own. A great adventure and we hope there are many more.
November 20, 2011
This book looked so retro! It took me back to my childhood. Late one night, Harry and Horsie were up way past bedtime. The moon kept them awake. So they played. When Harry used his Bubble Blooper and filled his room with bubbles, some floated out the window. Harry thought it was funny until a bubble scooped up Horsie and floated out the window. Harry had to save him. Oh, what an adventure Harry had!
February 11, 2010
I had reservations about liking this book because the author is David Letterman's son's nanny (or was) and I thought it was a celebrity author vehicle. But it's actually a wonderful and fun story with terrific retro illustrations by Lincoln Agnew. If Letterman had left out his little blurb on the verso all would be fine... the book doesn't need his endorsement it stands on its own!
July 23, 2010
Cute story with cute cartoon illustrations. The stuff of a toy-loving kid's imagination. Wasn't quite the ending I expected (learning a lesson about going to sleep instead of playing after the lights are out would've been more the norm). Don't know if that makes it refreshing-different or just different-different.
February 19, 2012
After a rogue bubble from Harry's Super Duper Bubble Blooper picks Horsie up and carries him off to outer space, it's up to Harry to rescue his friend. Retro styled drawings perfectly capture the fun and excitement as Harry zooms around the planets and the Milky Way to track down Horsie. Because Harry and Horsie do everything together.
November 29, 2014
I was first attracted to this book because of the fantastic illustrations by Lincoln Agnew. The colors and the 'retro made modern' style are SO unique. The story was also very endearing and all about imagination. What could be better? I especially love "Super Duper Bubble Blooper" gun that Harry owns. (Book trailer on youtube also pretty cool https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cloF... )
September 26, 2009
As far as I can tell, this is the writing debut of David Letterman's son's old nanny. Got that? Anyway, I really like the retro illustrations and the fact that Harry has an "Indy" pennant on his wall.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews