What's it like to be you and have to do something new? What's it like to be somebody else and have to do something new?
Henry, a sweetheart if ever there was one, has just found out his class is going on a field trip to a musuem that has dinosaurs. Oh the excitement and oh the anticipation. And oh, the uh-oh and the "what if" and the "I don't know what is going to happen" feelings.
Will Henry turn in his permission slip? Will he use his courage to try this new thing and trust that he will be able to do it by himself? That's Henry's side of the story. It's a side of the story that you can't really see right away. You have to learn and get smart enough to understand it and to sense it happening. That's the side where the huge bus pulls up to take the class to the museum, how awesome, but for Henry the size of the bus with all of its noise is TOO MUCH. Not so awesome. Can you see it?
You know, it's interesting. In the past decades we had a wonderful series to read called HENRY AND MIUDGE. We got to know a really terrific little guy named Henry and his equally terrific dog named Mudge. We went along with them and had adventures and felt the friendship and love. Now in 2024 we have a whole new look at Henrys. This Henry needs us to think about stretching our understanding of people and of how the world works for them. That's pretty cool. Everybody doesn't see the world or feel the world the very same way. We should know that.
Jenn Bailey is described in the Author note on the flap of the book as having an MFA from the esteemed Vermont College of Fine Arts. So glad she did that. She also is described as never having grown up. So glad she did that too because Jenn Bailey is able to put herself smack dab in the mind and body of a small person -who is a wonderful small person - to show us thought by thought and moment by moment what it's like to be living on this planet and experiencing things very intensely. She writes it so we can all have fun and go along for the ride but happily begin to see things through a different pair of eyes and to remember that those eyes and that sensitivity are right there around us needing us to choose to go a bit softer sometimes with someone who is amazing and needs a gentler pathway.
Incredibly real and insightful this is a delightful must-purchase for every library. A new best friend waiting to be found. Henry and Mudge would love him.
If you missed the first book in the series, HENRY LIKE ALWAYS, run, do not walk and get yourself a copy. One of the best books published this year, 2023.
56 pages 978-1797213903 Ages 5-8
Keywords: field trip, new experiences, dealing with feelings, dealing with fears, autism and sensory processing read aloud, autism, understanding others, Social Emotional Learning, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old, 8 year old
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
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From the creators of 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---from the publisher
