Harrison Spader, Personal Space Invader

by Christianne Jones

Harrison P. Spader sat a little too close. Shook hands a little too long. High-fived a little too hard. And hugged a little too much. Harrison P. Spader was a personal space invader. But that all changes when he learns the Space Saver rhyme: Arms out front, then out real wide. Now place your arms back by your sides. Author Christianne Jones uses humor and relatable situations to teach early learners about self awareness. This entertaining picture book in the Little Boost series will tackle a much-needed topic for teachers, parents, and librarians.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Back To School, Animals, Pre K

32 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2018

Reviews

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a person that need a lot of personal space and working with kids, this book makes me laugh a lot. Some kids really don,t get the personal space idea and this book may be a good way to talk about it and made them understand how personal space is important for some person. A good one!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison the hippo loves his friends. He wants to be close to them, all the time. He talks close, he sits close and so on. His friends are not very happy with the way he invades their personal space. He doesn't understand what the problem is. With help from his dad and a few simple tips, Harrison learns to be a good friend without making others uncomfortable. A fun story to teach children about personal space. The illustrations are bright, colourful and have great expression. My granddaughter is a bit too young to understand the lesson, but she loved the images and laughed at Harrison. A great addition to a primary classroom or family library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Dna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This imparted a neat little lesson about personal space, but it didn't get the kids buzzing. They enjoyed the bright, cheerful artwork!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute story about a young hippo named Harrison, who is very enthusiastic about hugging, high-fiving, shaking hands, and generally just getting right in other people's bubbles, much to the chagrin of his teachers, classmates, and friends.

This would be a fabulous teaching resource, as I cannot recall seeing another book geared towards younger children that tackles the issue of personal space. It does so in a gentle and understanding manner, in terms that kids can understand. The cute animal illustrations provide a comedic storytelling element that will keep the kiddos entertained while they are learning an important life lesson about boundaries and social norms!

I received access to an advance copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sara Weather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received from netgalley for my review

Art: Facial expressions of animals, color were darker more earthy

Story: Cute, allowing him to be expressive but thinking about other people, teaching kids lesson but it was fun

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC at Book Expo 2018.

I love the way this book handles the issue of teaching kids about personal space. Really cute with great artwork!

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY good tool for teaching kids personal space. It is simplistic, yet entertaining. I will recommend this to parents and teachers!

[TinaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun way to teach kids AND adults about personal space! (I'm looking at you Aunt June and Grandpa!)

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison P. Spader, a loveable and avid lover of life, has one problem... he wants to share his love with everyone around him. He wants his whole world to experience that feeling of love and his exuberance up-close and personal.



"Harrison P. Spader sits a little too close.
Shakes hands a little too long.
High-fives a little too hard.
And hugs a little too much.
HARRISON P. SPADER IS A PERSONAL SPACE INVADER."


Unfortunately his friends don't share his enthusiasm. He makes them feel very uncomfortable when he invades their personal space and they want Harrison P. Spader to knock it off. After countless phone calls from teachers, coaches, and other parents his dad finally steps up to the plate to discuss the issue with his son.

His wise dad teaches him a life lesson that will totally change Harrison P. Spader's life for the better. Dad teaches his son the Space Saver technique.


"Arms out front
then out real wide.
Now place your arms
back at your sides."


Will this simple rhyme of self-awareness work for Harrison P. Spader and help him become a better friend and benefit him as he grows up and becomes a more responsible citizen?

The illustrations are delightful. Harrison P. Spader is an adorable main character and the illustrations add humour and emotions that will have kids giggling as they engage in the text. This entertaining picture book tackles the importance of personal space-a topic close to the heart of kids and grownups alike. I highly recommend this book.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it were linked with some discussion, I think this is one of my favorite books I've come across related to personal space/boundaries. It doesn't ever deal with asking permission/consent but is useful for making kids more aware that others' bubbles may be much larger than their own. I also like that it shows a scene of Harrison at home where he and his family are all sitting comfortably (squished) on the couch, even though there are other chairs available. In other words, his family is a very touchy/close proximity family and one reason Harrison is often (always) in other people's space is that his own bubble is virtually nonexistent.

Harrison gets himself into quite a few funny/awkward situations but he is always oblivious, despite the clear expressions of his classmates and friends. This could lead to some good discussion with "what's wrong with this picture?" type questions and "how could Harrison have noticed something was wrong?"

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I started this book, some little ones came to mind who could benefit from it! I loved that the author not only worked in a solution for a problem that some children can relate to, but also that she was realistic about the main character not being perfect and getting it right every time (I especially loved when it mentioned the main character needing to use extra restraint!). I think this book can be very relatable for kids, and still works through a friendly plot line with fun, loveable characters. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Personal Space" can be a challenging concept for many people in general, but especially so for kids- the younger the more challenging that can be.
This appealing character remains likable even when "breaking social rules" about personal space. His good-hearted nature and willingness to do better is handled well. The story progresses easily and effectively.
I can see this in a teaching arsenal for specific problem solving or for annual introduction early in a school session in order to establish the concept and the benefits of respecting personal space.

[Patrycja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely brilliant story. It is perfect for kids, who don't understand personal space concept.
I think this cute book can help them to work on this issue.

The main character is Hippo, who just likes to get too close to his friends this is not always very welcome. His father teaches him then the Space Sever rule.
At first it doesn't go too well, but at the end Hippo gets it....
Most of the time...
Colorful, cute illustrations make it even more fun to read.

[Zaneta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison the hippo likes to invade peoples personal space. This book was interesting because I could understand how everyone felt in the book that had their space invaded. I am a huge personal bubble space person and love to have my bubble of space when I am out and about. I love that Harrison accepted help with understanding what personal space is and learned to correct how he invades other people's space. This is a wonderful book about learning that I enjoyed reading with my son,

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a very clever way to talk about "personal space" in schools. I read it to get a send of how to work with this topic and has a simple idea of personal space. Harrison, a hippo, seems to get into everyone's space and business and get too close to his friends. The story describes what is meant by invading someone else's space and becoming annoying. Loved the ending where Harrison doesn't get it right all the time but does make changes.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Harrison, I hear you are having trouble staying in your own space.”

Harrison is full of joy and love and it comes out through his behavior: he sits too close, shakes hands too long and hugs too much. His family is like that, too, but Harrison needs to understand that other people need more space than he does. His father tries to help him develop a strategy to make sure he gives his friends the space they need.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story to talk about personal space and consent with preschoolers and up. Harrison doesn't know what personal space is, but his dad teaches him how to check to make sure you are giving everyone space from you with the Space Saver moves. Then, he learns how to avoid invading others' personal space when space isn't available to spread out. Very practical tips. Could be a good beginning of the school year book for kindergarteners.

[Amy Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison the hippo is a personal space invader, but can he help it that he's a close talker and loves to give hugs? After some help from his dad and some practice with his friends, he finds a way to respect everyone's space.

This was a cute and funny story that would be great for explicitly teaching younger kids (K-2) about how to have personal space.

[Brenda Lower · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great. I know a lot of kids that don't understand the personal space idea, so having a book that discusses it is fantastic. I love that the kid goes from one extreme to another and then finds the happy middle ground. I really love the faces of the other kids as Harrison is learning about it.

Cute illustrations, great story line.

[Evianrei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations with this book, very cartoony and definitely get the point across that Harrison may be a little too close for comfort for most folks. Love the way his family handles the situation, and my son (1.5 yr) enjoyed being read the book, and was mostly interested in the art. Library copy.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss ASD chose this for us to read it and enjoyed it (while completely missing how ironically appropriate it was for us!)

Miss 6 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Kimberly Bower MLIS (gladeslibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful illustrations and thoughtful story teach about personal space. This would be a great addition to a children's story time for those still learning about the importance of personal space in public places.

[Zahra tavakoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

هریسون یک اسب آبی است که از فرط نشاط و سرزندگی نمی‌تواند هیجان خود را کنترل کند و حفظ حریم شخصی دیگران را رعایت نمی‌کند. اما کم‌کم یاد می‌گیرد چطور این ملاحظه را در رفتار خود به کار ببرد.
داستانی تصویری مناسب بالای پنج سال.
عنوان فارسی: هریسون چسبنده

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an uncorrected proof from Capstone at ALA Midwinter. This book is incredibly cute way to teach little ones about personal space. This book would work great for story time!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute but didactic picture book about staying in your lane

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect picture book to help children understand the importance of space. I love the solutions that are provided! Every preschool through first grade classroom should have this book.

[Rebecca Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book and eduxational book

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and hilarious.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good conversation starter.

[Jenny Mock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good balance between humor and teaching. Some kids really need help understanding personal space and this book is a good choice for a whole group read aloud.