Harvey's Hideout

For big sisters and little brothers in dens, burrows, and houses everywhere. “Mildred,” said Father Muskrat, “it is true that Harvey is selfish and inconsiderate, but he is not stupid and no-good. Mildred is loudmouthed and bossy,” Father said to Harvey, “but she is not mean and rotten.” When Mildred goes off to a big party where little brothers are not invited, Harvey finds a secret club in a secret place where big sisters are not allowed to be members. But when Harvey’s lonesomeness overpowers his stubbornness, he discovers that a secret club with two members is much better.

Author Biography

Russell Hoban (1925-2011) first became famous for his children’s picture books about a badger named Frances and other animal characters that have a lot in common with children we know – Bedtime for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Bread and Jam for Frances, and Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, among others – and for a young adult novel, The Mouse and His Child. Hoban was born in Pennsylvania and served in World War II. He lived with his wife, Lillian Hoban, who illustrated many of his books, and their four children in Connecticut until 1969, when he moved to London. There he married Gundela Ahl and had three more children. In England, Hoban wrote acclaimed adult novels, including Lion of Boaz-Jachin and Riddley Walker. Lillian Hoban (1925-1998), one of America’s favorite children’s book illustrators, is best known for a young chimpanzee named Arthur and his little sister, Violet, and for illustrating six of Russell Hoban’s books about Frances the badger, which have taken their place among the great classics of children’s literature. Lillian Hoban was born in Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. She studied dance for ten years and became a professional dancer. She began to write and illustrate her own stories only after having children, basing her tales on their experiences.