Bibliographic Info: Rylant, C. (2006). Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas. Illus. Sucie Stevenson. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Annotation: Henry and Mudge are on an adventure to see Great-Grandpa Bill at his retirement home and find more excitement than they imagined. Henry and Mudge discover a pond to swim in and all of the "Grandpas" join them in a very cute story.
Genre: Children's fiction/animals
Grade level: K-3
Readers who will like this book: I have found that most all children really enjoy the adventures of Henry and Mudge (especially Mudge). Children who have a favorite pet, had a favorite pet or want a pet will like to hear about all of the crazy adventures of a boy and his big old dog.
Personal response: I personally love the Henry and Mudge books. I never came across this book until this assignment and I love that Great-Grandpa Bill and all of his buddies join Henry and Mudge in their adventure. I also like how these books are broken up into "chapters" for emerging readers. It gives them a sense of accomplishment after just a handful of pages.
A question you would ask before reading: Have any of you ever visited a relative, family friend in a retirement home? What is a retirement home?
Award winner Info: 2006 recipient of the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award which is given annually to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished book for beginning readers. The book must be published in English, in the United States during the preceding year.
