Harrison Dwight, Ballerina and Knight

by Rachael MacFarlane, Spencer Laudiero (Illustrator)

A charming, rhyming picture book with an empowering message that challenges stereotypes from writer Rachael MacFarlane and illustrator Spencer Laudiero

I heard someone once say
That boys shouldn't cry.
But boys feel things too,
It’s okay, and here’s why!

Equal parts humor and heart, Harrison Dwight, Ballerina and Knight follows a young boy as he cycles through various feelings he experiences in every day life. Harrison feels happiness, sadness, pride, fear, joy, anger, and courage―all while playing and imagining without limitation! With Harrison Dwight , boys everywhere will feel empowered to play in whatever way they choose and learn that it’s always okay to express what you’re feeling inside!

An Imprint Book


"Buoyant and inclusive... MacFarlane’s message is loud and clear." ― Publishers Weekly


Praise for Eleanor Wyatt, Princess and Pirate

"Eleanor Wyatt demonstrates that a girl doesn't have to limit herself to one identity... May resonate with children who don't self-identify according to societal expectations." ― Kirkus Reviews

"In this playful book that gently breaks down gender expectations, readers will find plenty of empowering messages encouraging creativity, individuality, and freewheeling fun." ― Booklist

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Gender, LGBT, Emotion

34 pages, Hardcover

Published April 23, 2019

About the author

Rachael MacFarlane is an American voice actress, singer, and author. Her voice credits include Hayley Smith on the animated television show American Dad! Supreme Leader Numbuh 362 in the television series Codename: Kids Next Door, and Kate Lockwell in the video game Starcraft II.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small boy discovers that he has many options when it comes to playtime. It has always fascinated me that little girls and little boys are given a 'script' as to what type of roles they must play during playtime (the little boys are usually in 'charge' of assigning such roles) and little boys (in particular) are told not to deviate from a small subset of roles. This book looks at a little boy who decides to explore different roles and how he learns to cope with the consequences of his choices.

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author Rachael MacFarlane and illustrator Spencer Laudiero, who previously collaborated on Eleanor Wyatt, Princess and Pirate , join forces again in this new picture-book examination of emotions and being yourself. The eponymous Harrison Dwight informs the reader in the rhyming text that he is both ballerina and knight, going on to describe all of the different things he likes to do - football with Mom, picking flowers with Dad - and all of the feelings he experiences. In the end, he concludes with an affirmation of who he is...

One of a new crop of picture-books clearly meant to challenge gendered norms, when it comes to expectations of children's behavior and identity - think Pink Is for Boys , Jamie Is Jamie: A Book About Being Yourself and Playing Your Way , Big Bob, Little Bob , or Jacob's New Dress - Harrison Dwight, Ballerina and Knight has its heart in the right place, but somehow fell a little short for me. The rhyming text is bouncy enough, but somehow felt a little too pointed, in its efforts to disrupt stereotypes. That might be forgiven, in a message book (which this clearly is), but unfortunately I also found the artwork here unappealing. Laudiero's background in animation is evident in these illustrations, but they were just too cartoon-like (and a little bit too flat) for my taste. Others might feel differently, so if readers are in the market for a counter-stereotypical examination of a young boy's emotional life, this might fit the bill, but overall I'd recommend something like Jamie Is Jamie or Big Bob, Little Bob instead.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on that title, I think I was expecting... well, more.

Harrison Dwight, Ballerina and Knight is a book written in somewhat clumsy verse. Rather than being a book about a little boy who happens to like ballet and slaying dragons, the focus is on the expression of feelings. While that's laudable, I just feel like I didn't get what the title promised. There's lots of stuff about society's gender expectations, like the whole "boys don't cry" nonsense. Basically, all this book is saying is that boys can feel and express whatever feelings they like.

It might have helped to round out the story a little more had there been some sort of conflict, such as other kids making fun of him for crying. The ultra-accepting atmosphere of this book may be ideal, but it's not realistic, and it doesn't help little boys who might be facing scorn because they're expressing feelings that aren't viewed as traditionally masculine.

The illustrations are a bit too cartoon-like for my taste. They're colourful, and kids will probably like them, but they've got that sort of clean perfection that I've seen in a lot of self-published books. (In contrast, the rougher sketches on the end papers are much more appealing. I kind of wish the whole book had been done in that style!)

I just read Jessica Love's Julián Is a Mermaid , so the bar for books like this is set pretty high in my mind at the moment. Harrison Dwight, Ballerina and Knight just doesn't measure up, in either the text or the pictures. I realize the message is slightly different, but for books about little boys breaking down gender norms and doing stereotypically "girly" things, I'd recommend mermaids over ballerinas.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison Dwight is a ballet dancer with a big imagination, often picturing himself as a knight.
Fantasy meets reality as Harrison performs onstage as a knight in a ballet.

This rhyming couplet picture book is about boys' expressing emotions and going against gender stereotypes, mainly "Boys don't cry. Boys must be tough and masculine." Why can't they do all of the above?

I really wish I had had this book as a kid. The illustrations by Spencer Laudiero perfectly capture Harrison's imagination and emotions of him and those in his life. Rachael MacFarlane's text offers encouragement, empowerment and support.

[Lincoln Reedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mom read this book to me at bedtime. I was supposed to be eating at the same time but kept stopping to look at the pictures!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison Dwight: Ballerina and Knight by Rachael MacFarlane, illustrated by Spencer Laudiero. PICTURE BOOK. Imprint (Macmillan), 2019. $18. 9781250138583

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Harrison Dwight feels all his feelings with pride and encourages everyone to own what they are feeling too. Along the way you should be proud of whatever you love to do.

I read this out loud twice and was pleased by the smooth rhyming pattern throughout. It’s nice to see such a wide variety of characters within the illustrations.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flow and Brilliant Art

The flow of the rhymes and message are clear and consistent. The artwork is detailed and brilliant, as in it really has good, strong, bright color that pops. The ebook shows the art well. Good book for dealing against toxic masculinity. Plus, the details of the whole family doing projects together and friends working things out stayed in the flow while added a layer to the message.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute- boys are allowed to have emotions. I legitimately liked this, while the niece I was reading with did, too. She didn't even blink at the idea of boys crying- which made me wonder if it's more important for boys to hear this book.

[Alyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary Realistic, Poetry
Grades K-2
This book is all about breaking gender stereotypes as Harrison Dwight loves being both a ballerina and knight. This fun rhyming story could be a great way to empower your students and teach the that they can be or play whatever they want.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at work for Picture Book Read-In 2019.

Beautiful. All about being yourself and feeling your feels.

[Lee Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful. The art was super cute and the message was just perfect.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the challenging of male gender stereotypes, but I'm not a fan of the cartoon illustrations.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison Dwight loves to both dance and pretend he is a knight. He goes to football games with his mom and picks flowers with his dad. His parents teach him to be who he is. Sometimes in all his playing, Harrison may hurt himself or experience something bad, but he knows it’s okay to feel sad and that tears can help people heal. So even when others may find it odd, Harrison learns that it’s important to feel what you feel and be who you are.

This book breaks down gender stereotypes. Harrison does many things that are stereotypically feminine, like painting his nails and wearing his favorite color pink. Harrison cries a lot, which encourages readers to see this as healthy coping mechanism, not a sign of weakness. The book follows a simple rhyming pattern. Together the text and the illustrations appear to tell a cute story, but the episodic way the events are portrayed lack cohesion. While each event portrays the good points the author wants to make, they don’t always flow together well. There are not any parts of the text that develop Harrison as a character, so for the most part the story seems forced. Children may not notice this, however, and may find more to like in the great messages and beautiful illustrations that make this a fine book.

++Review originally published on Children's Book and Media Review++
http://byucbmr.com/reviews/harrison-d...

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this colorful book, we have once more signs that the world is moving towards a bright future of human fluidity. In rhyme and expressive pictures, we are taken into Harrison’s life as he explores what joys the world has to offer him. He has catholic interests and tolerant parents who are glad to indulge his hobbies. His mom likes sports and his dad picks flowers and they share their interests with him.

He adores playing at being a knight and dancing on the stage! He’s creative, emotionally expressive and unashamed of his tender feelings. He’s heard that boys aren’t supposed to cry but thinks that’s sheer baloney. How are people supposed to know what’s wrong if you can’t express it?

This is a joyous book for children and adults, too. It doesn’t express hope but shows a world that can be right here, right now, with happy kids and the parents who love them.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison is proud to be both a dancer and a brave knight. Thanks to his parents, he understands that people have all kinds of emotions and that it is important to share them with the world, rather than be embarrassed or ashamed. From working through frustration during a play date to crying on the playground when he skins his knee to being a good sport when he doesn't win 1st place at the science fair, Harrison displays myriad emotions, all of which are valued. Through light rhyming text and digital illustrations, this charming story reminds readers of all ages that "The best you can be is just who you are." A strong pick for discussing gender stereotypes with elementary students.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a book that challenges the male stereotype that boys can't show and express their feelings! This book not only talks about feelings, but other stereotypes such as liking certain colors, playing certain games, and hobbies. While I enjoyed the rhyming and the story, I was not really impressed with the illustrations. I felt the story would have been more powerful with less "cartoony" illustrations.

[Ellie Dynek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish!! Harrison Dwight is (in my own opinion) one of the best picture book characters I've found this year, showing kids of all ages that it's okay to be exactly who you are, regardless of whether you're a boy who likes to wear pink clothes and nail polish or a girl who loves to loudly cheer at football games!!

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love it when we get ARCs of picture books that I can share with my niece and nephew. This one was just cute. It was a great storyline, the pictures are fun and the message of the book is fantastic.

[☆Amanda☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son (5) absolutely adores this book, as do I. It does such a wonderful job of challenging gender sterotypes while doing so in a digestable way for a child. My kiddo loves the illustrations.

I highly recommend this one for your little one(s)

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It takes a whole lot of courage to feel what you feel." What a lovely book :)

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute rhyming story telling children, especially boys that it's okay to like "girl" and "boy" things. And it's okay to cry because we have so many feelings inside.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book about a boy who won't be placed in any catergory. preschool and up

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's less dancing in this book than one might imagine from the title. But its contents are important since they challenge gender stereotypes as Harrison Dwight enjoys playing both roles--dancer and knight. I appreciated the author's efforts to show how sometimes it's good to express one's emotions and to cry as well as finding solutions to possible conflicts. The rhyming text carries the message nicely, and readers may feel reassured about expressing their own feelings after reading this book. The advice given here is empowering, but there could be a possibility that some readers will come away from it thinking that it's okay to show how upset they are at every turn, and while I agree that owning our feelings is important, it's probably not wise to blast others with our fiery tempers. I liked the way the author makes it clear that feelings are normal, but I didn't particularly care for the cartoon-like illustrations.

[Kathryn (Dragon Bite Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review first published on my blog, Nine Pages .

I read an advanced reader’s copy of this picture book about feeling and expressing what you feel without thought to convention or societal expectation. Even the adults do not conform to expectations, Harrison’s mother taking him to football games while he and his father pick wildflowers together. Harrison dances when he wants to because it makes him feel strong. He cries when he is sad or when he is moved or hurt. He implores others to explore and express themselves with confidence as he does. The text is admittedly maybe a little heavy-handed in its message, but until we start living these truths, maybe we need a little heavy-handedness.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh for goodness sake, tell me a story but please DON'T bash me over the head with its message! And then keep on bashing me over the head throughout the entirety of the book? No, thanks. I have a son so I am all for him being allowed to feel ALL of his feelings.

The art in this was not clever enough to suit me either.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

About feeling your feelings and doing what you enjoy, whether that matches what society expects or not (and pointing out that those expectations don't make much sense).

Not actually all that much of a dance book, though.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok good message

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This feels like a Mr. Roger's Neighborhood special -- it's all about feelings and not keeping them inside.

[Nathan Bartos · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 Stars
A good picture book with cute illustrations about boys having feelings too, but I wish there was more focus on what the title makes you think it'll be.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book felt preachy, like it was trying to cram it's message down my throat.