books_n_pickles 's review for:

Harry, the Dirty Dog by Margaret Bloy Graham, Gene Zion
3.0
funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No

Cute little picture book in which a white dog with black spots who does not want a bath escapes for some very dirty adventures that result in him looking like a black dog with white spots. He's so dirty that his family doesn't recognize him! Finally, he brings them a scrub brush for a proper bath, they realize he's their dog, and they're all happily together again. 

The book's a little dated--kids aren't going to know what a coal chute is and we don't have coal dust-spewing trains anymore. Still, a few props to the author for having a white dog with black spots becoming a black dog with white spots; it doesn't totally avoid the association of black with dirt and wrong, and white with clean and right, but at least it's not a total black-and-white situation (pun totally intended).