76. A Friend for Henry

A Friend for Henry. Jenn Bailey. Illustrated by Mika Song. 2019. 36 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In Classroom Six, second left down the hall, Henry was looking for a friend.

Premise/plot: Henry struggles a bit making a friend in school. 

My thoughts: This book is simple yet universal. The book isn't clear on the specifics. Is this his first-first day of school? Is this a new school year? Has Henry moved to a new school? But I'm not overly bothered by the lack of specifics. Making (and keeping) friends especially when you're super-young is a universal struggle or problem. (It doesn't have to signal neuro-diversity. Though in this case, it's meant to be. The jacket flap informs readers [let's be honest, adults] that Henry is on the autism spectrum. Little ones for whom this book is read aloud may or may not pick up on that angle of it.

Overall, I liked it. I definitely liked the early chapter book a bit more. But I liked this one just fine. 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers