Harriet's Recital

Harriet

by Nancy Carlson

Harriet is frightened of dancing in public at the recital of her ballet class until she finally relaxes and begins to dance

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Harriet’s Recital” is a cute story from Nancy Carlson starring everyone’s favorite canine, Harriet! In this story, Harriet has a ballet recital and she tries to overcome her stage fright before the big day arrives. “Harriet’s Recital” is a wonderful book that will relate easily to children who suffer from stage fright.

Nancy Carlson has done an excellent job at describing Harriet’s stage fright when she has to perform in front of many people during her ballet recital. Nancy Carlson makes the story easily relatable to children who have also suffer from stage fright whenever they have to perform in front of many people and showing how Harriet also have stage fright can easily reassure children that they can overcome any stage fright. Nancy Carlson’s illustrations are cute and hilarious, especially during the scenes where Harriet is nervous about going to the recital and you can see her legs looking wobbly and how her eyes are wide open and she has a scared expression on her face.

“Harriet’s Recital” is a brilliant book about how to deal with stage fright and it will surely entrance children for many years. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate about this book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has an important message of facing your fears

[Kristen Fort]

Was thinking of this favorite book of mine from around kindergarten and first grade.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet's Recital by Nancy Carlson is one of Harriet's favorite books because it's a about a dog who likes to dance named Harriet. Harriet, though, has a problem; she hates the yearly recitals. She gets stage fright. Her parents and her teacher though have every confidence in her. This year she has a dance solo and she's petrified!

The wiggly lines in Harriet's legs show just how scared she's feeling. My Harriet especially likes the progression of illustrations from Harriet being too scared to dance, to being pushed on stage and growing more confident after her feet remember the steps even though the rest of her is still scared.

My son who has had to put on a few school performances also likes the book. He relates more to the need for practice and to her feelings of stage fright than to the thrill of dancing.

This book was featured on Reading Rainbow. (Reading Rainbow's last air date will be August 28, 2009).

To learn more about Nancy Carlson or her books, please see Nancy's Neighborhood.

Other books featuring Harriet:

Harriet's Halloween Candy
Harriet and the Roller Coaster

Harriet and the Garden
Harriet and Walt
Harriet and George's Christmas Treat

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one isn't as interesting as the others, very generic and cliche. Harriet is apparently the scared one of the group, always nervous and worried about something. Here it's the ballet recital, in the other book it was the roller coaster. I guess she's the nervous nilly of the group. She seems to always overcome her fears, of course, it IS an inspirational lesson for the kiddies at home.

[Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when I was a kid...so it was fun reading it to M!

[Contemplative · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute easy to read story. Would make a good early reader book.

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet was afraid before her recital but knew she wouldn't do bad and would dance good.