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Hound and Hare
Hounds and hares are like cats and mice. At least that's the way it is in Great Bone, a little village beside the river. Harley Hare and Hugo Hound see each other at school every day, and they're interested in the same things. But they never talk to each other. Why? Because the Hare and Hound families can't stand one another.
When the annual Big Race takes place on the meadow, Harley and Hugo find themselves racing neck and neck, until a terrible thunderstorm breaks out. Hugo is terrified of the storm and the lightning. Harley panics when they discover they are lost. It turns out that between them, they know just what to do. And, working together, they not only save themselves, but become heroes of the day as well.
When the annual Big Race takes place on the meadow, Harley and Hugo find themselves racing neck and neck, until a terrible thunderstorm breaks out. Hugo is terrified of the storm and the lightning. Harley panics when they discover they are lost. It turns out that between them, they know just what to do. And, working together, they not only save themselves, but become heroes of the day as well.
- GenresPicture BooksAnimals
80 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2011
About the author
Rotraut Susanne Berner
249 books45 followersRotraut Susanne Berner (born 1948) is a German graphic designer and illustrator.
She illustrated The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger.
She is well known for a series of popular children's book, called “Wimmel” books, which have attained a worldwide circulation of close to 500,000 copies in fifteen countries.
Working as a freelance illustrator, she has focused on books for children and young adults, illustrating more than 80 such books and designing over 800 book covers.
She illustrated The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger.
She is well known for a series of popular children's book, called “Wimmel” books, which have attained a worldwide circulation of close to 500,000 copies in fifteen countries.
Working as a freelance illustrator, she has focused on books for children and young adults, illustrating more than 80 such books and designing over 800 book covers.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 3, 2020
A modern, fable-like tale that encourages the reader to look beyond inherited differences and segregation, Hound and Hare tells the story of two rivals, Hugo the hare and Harley the Hound, whose race to prove which species is the best achieves quite the opposite.
Goaded into hating each other by their parents and grandparents, Hugo and Harley's determination to win the race is halted when a violent storm descends. Together both rivals must set aside their differences and find shelter. In their quest to find safety they stumble across the town's missing piglet. Can they sort out their differences for the greater good and work together to save the pig?
I have read a dozen stories like this before but each one is different. From The Smeds and the Smoos to Tusk Tusk there are tales out there about racial differences or segregation based on colour or physicality but Hound and Hare is far less didactic than most and carries a Richard Scarry-esque tone in its telling. This though is a book with many layers and while the message on the surface is a sweet one, the commentaries on segregation and differences has layers and invites multiple readings.
Prior to the race, Berner shows us that both protagonists have much in common. From hobbies to family, they mirror each others' lives leaving the reader wondering how they are not the best of friends already. It is only when we meet the family that we find that a long, toxic rivalry exists which must not to be questioned by children. It is only when Lear-esque, the storm consumes them in the race that they see the truth for what it is and choose to rise above such differences. When they return, their families are shown the error of their ways and the story closes satisfyingly.
Although brimming with layers and wonderful word play thanks to Shelley Tanaka's deft translation from German, this is an early reader book and would be perfect for that young reader who is moving into early chapters. A little delight.
Goaded into hating each other by their parents and grandparents, Hugo and Harley's determination to win the race is halted when a violent storm descends. Together both rivals must set aside their differences and find shelter. In their quest to find safety they stumble across the town's missing piglet. Can they sort out their differences for the greater good and work together to save the pig?
I have read a dozen stories like this before but each one is different. From The Smeds and the Smoos to Tusk Tusk there are tales out there about racial differences or segregation based on colour or physicality but Hound and Hare is far less didactic than most and carries a Richard Scarry-esque tone in its telling. This though is a book with many layers and while the message on the surface is a sweet one, the commentaries on segregation and differences has layers and invites multiple readings.
Prior to the race, Berner shows us that both protagonists have much in common. From hobbies to family, they mirror each others' lives leaving the reader wondering how they are not the best of friends already. It is only when we meet the family that we find that a long, toxic rivalry exists which must not to be questioned by children. It is only when Lear-esque, the storm consumes them in the race that they see the truth for what it is and choose to rise above such differences. When they return, their families are shown the error of their ways and the story closes satisfyingly.
Although brimming with layers and wonderful word play thanks to Shelley Tanaka's deft translation from German, this is an early reader book and would be perfect for that young reader who is moving into early chapters. A little delight.
December 30, 2022
Hugo and Harley could be best friends, IF their families weren't feuding. Despite their parents wishes they each sneak out to join in the Great Bone Big Race whose outcome has interesting consequences for everyone. An easy reader with picture book appeal, younger readers may enjoy the story line but they may not grasp the humor of the literary puns.
August 4, 2018
I like to read picture books, chapter books, YA, and all sorts of books. When I read an article about Rotraut Susanne Berner, I had to see some of her books. The first one available at the library was Hound and Hare. it is a good story with terrific illustrations.
August 5, 2011
In the village of Great Bone as in many places, hounds and hares don't get along. Both families gather at each other's house to heckle the others. Both teens Harley Hare and Hugo Hound want to participate in the town's big race, but their parents are reluctant to allow them to do so. But as with many types of prejudices, no one can give them a good reason for why hares and hounds don't mix. Both animals slip out for the race, and they're both in the lead when a storm stops the race. By working together, they find their way back home where they share a reward. The book contains positive messages about getting along with others, even when they seem to be quite different from you. Readers are sure to love the insults: "bone-chomper," "hare-brained fur ball," and "carrot munchers" that are sprinkled throughout the text. The color pencil and ink illustrations are simple but show the characters' expressions quite well.
April 22, 2011
What looks at a glance as a forgettable easy reader book quickly shows its more nuanced colors. Running through the story of the Hound and Hare families’ irrational dislike of each other is a thoughtful story about prejudice and its effect on a community.
By the end of the tale, the Hound and Hare children break down the barriers between their households when they come to the aid of a third child.
By the end of the tale, the Hound and Hare children break down the barriers between their households when they come to the aid of a third child.
May 15, 2011
A story about friendship and accepting differences, community and just getting along. I loved the map of the little village where all the animals lived. The illustrations were funny and I loved the hare's big sneakers. I was somehow reminded of Doug Funny. Does anybody out there remember Doug and Patti Mayonaise and the Beets? The illustations had a vintage feel about them. Young readers will enjoy the story with chapters and of course the illustration will delight them too.
July 30, 2011
I liked how it was a longer book but had an easy reader/picture book feel. However, I felt like it hit me over the head with the moral of the story. If it wasn't for that I would have given it 3 stars. Right now I would give it 2.5 stars.
November 30, 2014
A decades old feud pits hares against hounds until Harley Hound and Hugo Hare decide - separately, of course - to run in the Big Race in the village of Great Bone and what a race it is too! Wonderfully illustrations too!
April 29, 2016
A thoughtful story about prejudice through the characters of hound and hare. The emphasis that adults can learn from the young is not lost on the reader. The color pencil and ink illustrations add to the story for children.
March 13, 2012
I liked this German import about accepting differences and that it is a longer picture book. This would great to share with a young child.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews