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Summary
Summary
"Relatable characters, familiar scenarios, and gentle humor make this a remarkably satisfying read." -- Horn Book Magazine , Starred Review
From the creators of the Schneider Award-winning books A Friend for Henry and Henry, Like Always comes a delightful beginning chapter book about embracing new experiences, starring a sweet and sensitive child on the autism spectrum.
It's Field Trip Day! Henry's class is excited to visit the museum, but Henry is not so sure. The museum means maybe seeing dinosaurs, Henry's favorite. But it also means a lot of things that are new: a noisy school bus ride, a building full of echoes and hallways, and plenty of chances to get lost! Will he find something that makes all of this new worth the trip? Come along with Henry in this funny, bighearted tale about trying new things, exploring new places, and finding the courage to make yourself heard.
JUST RIGHT FOR BEGINNING READERS: With short chapters and simple text, this book is perfect for newly independent readers who are just moving on to longer books.
FIRST FIELD TRIP: This story will encourage and reassure any child beginning school or preparing to embark on their first field trip as Henry navigates the excitement (and potential anxiety) that comes with doing new things for the first time.
GREAT BACK-TO-SCHOOL READ: Perfect for any reader starting a new school year, the Henry series explores common school experiences in a gentle, funny, and encouraging way.
DIVERSE STORIES: Centering neurodivergent kids is vital to expanding diverse representation across books for all ages. The Henry series provides a mirror and a window for kids on the autism spectrum and their friends to see themselves in the stories they read.
AN AWARD-WINNING TEAM: Jenn Bailey and Mika Song received a Schneider Family Book Honor Award for their picture book A Friend for Henry . See how the story continues in this classic-feeling early reader series based on the same character!
Perfect for: Newly independent readers An excellent resource for parents of kids on the spectrum Librarians, teachers, and booksellers looking for a children's book that offers a window into the experience of autism A reassuring read for kids with varying levels of social anxiety Gift givers looking for a sweet and relatable book about trying new things
Reviews (2)
Horn Book Review
In his second early-chapter-book outing (Henry, like Always, rev. 3/23), Henry -- a sensitive child who presents as being on the autism spectrum -- is ambivalent about a field trip to the natural history museum. "Henry was excited. Everyone in Classroom Ten would ride the bus to the museum. Henry was also worried. Everyone in Classroom Ten would ride the bus to the museum." Despite his concerns, Henry is looking forward to the dinosaur exhibit. When Samuel's dad (a field trip helper) asks Henry's group of three what they'd like to see, "'Dinosaurs!' said Henry. But he forgot to say it out loud." Each of his attempts to make his voice heard is inadvertently thwarted, and Henry patiently accompanies his group to the rock, bug, and mummy displays. Song's loosely rendered, limited-palette watercolor and ink illustrations telegraph emotion and deepen meaning for newly independent readers. When Henry eventually shouts "DINOSAURS!" the accompanying illustration makes clear his frustration, along with his classmates' bemused reactions. They finally find the dinosaur room (after getting a bit lost), and Henry's absolute joy is palpable. Bailey's relatable characters, familiar scenarios, and gentle humor make this a remarkably satisfying read...whether you embrace the new or not. Kitty FlynnJanuary/February 2024 p.90 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Henry is excited--and a bit worried--about Classroom Ten's trip to the museum. Henry, a young boy coded as neurodivergent, has never been to the museum, but it has dinosaurs, which he loves. His teacher gives the class three rules. First, stay with their adult field trip helper. Second, return to the bus by three o'clock. Third-- But just as she's telling them the third rule, the bus pulls up, and Henry doesn't hear what she says. At the museum, Henry's assigned parent helper asks his group of three students what they want to see. One student says "moon rocks," so it's off to the Rock Room. The other student says "bugs," so that's their next stop. Henry wants to say "dinosaurs," but the word keeps getting stuck in his throat. Finally, Henry shouts his request. The group searches but instead finds a bone room with a friendly scientist, who, after letting them take part in a mini-dig, leads them to the huge dinosaur room. Back on the bus, Henry's friend asks if he followed the third rule and found something new; after some thought, Henry realizes that he has. This quiet but perceptive tale follows young Henry as he discovers the world at his own pace and reacts in his own, charming way (in the dinosaur room, Henry wraps his arms around himself so all the "happy" doesn't "slip away"). Interspersed throughout are graceful watercolor-and-ink illustrations, mostly black and white, with pops of green. Henry is cued Asian; his class is diverse. A simple but engaging slice-of-life story. (Early chapter book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.