Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night (Henry and Mudge Series #17)

by Cynthia Rylant Narrated by George Guidall

Overview

Every August, Henry, his parents, and his big dog Mudge go camping. This year they are going to Bear Lake. They will cook food over a campfire and sleep in a tent. Henry hopes he sees a deer or a raccoon. But he isn't sure he wants to see a bear. After they set up camp, Henry and Mudge explore the woods and enjoy the lake. Henry and his parents eat hot dogs for dinner while Mudge chews on a big log. That night, as they all look up in the sky, they see thousands of stars. And when they go to sleep, they dream happy dreams that don't have any bears in them. The friendship between Henry and Mudge always includes time for surprises and snacks. Listeners of all ages love this best-selling series. And they are among Audie Awarda-winning narrator George Guidall's favorite books to perform.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2Another success from Rylant and Stevenson. Their 17th visit with Mudge and Henry is full of the series' trademark warmth and gentle humor. Here, Henry, his parents, and the family's oversized pup embark on a camping trip. Henry's mother is the outdoorsperson. "She knew all about camping....Henry's dad didn't know anything about camping. He just came with a guitar and a smile." Stevenson's bright, glowing watercolors will delight readers, and they're sure to chortle over the picture of the jubilant dad with guitar in hand. In one chapter, Henry and his parents are linked physically as well as emotionally as they examine the constellations. Meanwhile, Mudge chews on a huge log, oblivious to the stars. "He couldn't get logs this good at home. Mudge loved camping." A shining addition to the series.Suzanne Hawley, Laurel Oak Elementary School, Naples, FL

Kirkus Reviews

Rylant (Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers, 1998, etc.) slips into a sentimental mode for this latest outing of the boy and his dog, as she sends Mudge and Henry and his parents off on a camping trip. Each character is attended to, each personality sketched in a few brief words: Henry's mother is the camping veteran with outdoor savvy; Henry's father doesn't know a tent stake from a marshmallow fork, but he's got a guitar for campfire entertainment; and the principals are their usual ready-for-fun selves. There are sappy moments, e.g., after an evening of star- gazing, Rylant sends the family off to bed with: "Everyone slept safe and sound and there were no bears, no scares. Just the clean smell of trees . . . and wonderful green dreams." With its nice tempo, the story is as toasty as its campfire and swaddled in Stevenson's trusty artwork. (Fiction. 6-8)

OCT/NOV 02 - AudioFile

Cynthia Rylant has created another fine Henry and Mudge story, showcasing a banner event in family life. This title chronicles a summer camping trip. Henry and Mudge marvel at each of the simple camping pleasures: the anticipation, hiking the trail and investigating smells, setting up camp, and enjoying special after-dinner activities. George Guidall's pace allows the listener to savor each moment of the outing, from the first clean, green smells to the solitude of the quiet night. His voice radiates pleasure in this duo of boy and dog. Listen as you plan your own family outing or when you're ready to savor the memories. A.R. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171283155
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	10/31/2008
Series:	Henry and Mudge Series
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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