Saturday Short-Story Review: Harvey’s Hideout by Russell Hoban, Lillian Hoban (Illustrator)

Hello book lover! Hope you all are having cheerful weekend! Today’s short story is children fiction, a picture book titled- Harvey’s Hideout by Russell Hoban, Lillian Hoban (Illustrator).

Published: February 4th 2018 by Plough Publishing

Read Date: January 13th 2018

Pages: 39

Stars: 5/5

The story is about Harvey Muskrat and his big sister Mildred who fights all the time, call each other names and never learn to stop fighting even though they are punished by their parents. When Mildred goes to a big party where little brothers are not invited and Harvey to a secret club in a secret place where big sisters are not allowed to be members, Harvey discovers how lonely he is and also his sister’s secret party. Will they ever learn to appreciate each other and stop fighting over small things?

There is no love if siblings never fight, something is wrong there. But the most important thing is to appreciate the good in them and not to call mean spiteful things that they are not. This story says exactly the same. Story and message behind it was nice.  The picture were like painting that looked cute and details in it were also fine.

Both brother and sister were like normal siblings who fight all the time and throw mean comments at each other, always trying to show one is better than the other until they were left alone. It was their stubbornness and ego that was not allowing them to play with each other and as a result, they were making up the stories.

“Mildred,” said Father Muskrat, “it is true that Harvey is selfish and inconsiderate, but he is not stupid and no-good. Mildred is loudmouthed and bossy,” Father said to Harvey, “but she is not mean and rotten.”

I laughed at their bickering when their father told to write them down 500 times that they won’t call each other those words (quoted above) and after they finished writing them they started saying the same.

I liked the end and how they discovered each other’s secret and foolishness and all those stubborn egoistic facade shattered at the end. They realized how badly they need each other and started being nice with the other. They learned their lesson at the end.

I liked how parent handled their fighting children in the book. I loved how Harvey decorated his den, he was pretty smart in the book, and the way reasons were given at the end for being alone and playing alone.

Overall, it was cute story with a message for siblings who fight all the time.  Parent s would like to have this book for their children.

Author: Russell Hoban,

Illustrator: Lillian Hoban

*** Note: I received review copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I am glad I got a chance to read this book. ***

What do you think about the book and review? Have read this story already or something similar to this before? Share your thoughts in the comment-box below.

Happy Reading! 🙂