Praise for Harley the Hero
2022 OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award Winner
2021 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Fall Selection
2021 49th Shelf “Books for Back to School” selection
2021 The Naapanee Beaver Featured Book
2021 49th Shelf "International Day of People with Disabilities" selection
Dr. Larry Recommends “Ten Picture Books, June 2022” Feature
"The illustrations are inclusive, from the progress pride flag flying over the school under the Canadian maple leaf to the diverse classroom, which includes a child who uses a wheelchair....A lighthearted introduction to service dogs and their grateful partners."—Kirkus Reviews
“Collins has based her book on the true experience of a young teacher suffering from PTSD whom she met at her son’s school...this wonderful show of empathy by children for their young teacher, and by the narrator, for the fragile Amelia provides some valuable insights to young readers. A classroom drama with a lesson in caring, Harley the Hero will be enjoyed by children and the adults who introduce the book to them.”—CM Reviews
“Among students of all backgrounds and abilities, Harley is a calming force. The detailed illustrations will reward attentive eyes in this bright picture book about accepting and celebrating each other’s differences.”—Foreword Reviews
“The teacher is described as having an “invisible disability” and Harvey helps her feel safe, which I think is an appropriate and positive description for young children. This would make a great read aloud for an elementary school classroom.”—Youth Services Book Review
“Collins brings the children in this story to life with vivid colours and expressive characters. The students are from diverse backgrounds, represent multiple exceptionalities, and Harley is a most endearing pup who loves to lick people’s feet.”—Canadian Children’s Book Centre
“Not only does Harley the Hero teach about the diversity of disabilities and how some may be imperceptible, until they're not, as well as teaching about fire safety, it also enlightens students about the protocols for service animals in schools, especially as they become more common.”—CanLit for Little Canadians
“I liked that Ms. Prichard is the best teacher she can be.”—Yuliana 5, EMWF Kids’ Reads
“[C]elebrates the work of service animals and the normalization of neurodivergence.”—The International Educator
“Diverse faces and abilities feature throughout the story making Harley the Hero a very inclusive story and one that will touch many different readers.”—Storytime with Stephanie
2021-05-05
Harley has a special job at school—he helps Ms. Prichard feel safe.
Her students know that even though they can’t play with him while he’s wearing his service-dog vest, he can still lick their feet if they let him. Little Amelia, who often wears hearing-protection earmuffs, loves Harley, but she doesn’t want him near her feet. Just as Harley keeps Ms. Prichard safe, Amelia’s friend, the narrator, keeps her safe. He knows that “loud noises, weird smells, or too-close things” might upset her, so he’s extra vigilant. When there’s a fire one day, the students run to the door—everyone but Amelia. Her friend alerts Ms. Prichard. Harley tugs her too, and together they get Amelia outside. Harley’s a hero! Collins’ tale of neurodiversity, based on a true story, is really about Harley’s job as a service dog—from the title and front endpapers to the ending. The charming and likable toe-licking Harley eclipses the subtle mentions of neurodivergence—what it is and why it’s important to “normalize” it, as the flap copy states. The illustrations are inclusive, from the progress pride flag flying over the school under the Canadian maple leaf to the diverse classroom, which includes a child who uses a wheelchair. (The narrator and Ms. Prichard present White, and Amelia presents Asian.) However, the lack of information about neurodivergence may hinder the intended message.
A lighthearted introduction to service dogs and their grateful partners. (author's note, biographical note) (Picture book. 4-7)
