Henry, Like Always: Book 1

by Jenn Bailey, Mika Song (Illustrator)

Overview

A Schneider Family Book Award Winner 
A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book 
A NPR 2023 Books We Love Pick
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2023 
A 2023 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book 

A beginning chapter book series based on the award-winning picture book, A Friend for Henry!

Henry likes Classroom Ten. He likes how it is always the same. But this week, Henry's class will have a parade, and a parade means having Share Time on the wrong day. A parade means playing instruments that are too loud. A parade means this week is not like always.

Join Henry as he navigates the ups and downs of marker missiles, stomach volcanoes, and days that feel a little too orange. From the creators of the Schneider Family Honor-winning picture book A Friend for Henry, this warmly funny book starring a child on the autism spectrum is a reassuring read for school-bound kids of all stripes.

GREAT FOR BEGINNING READERS: With short chapters and simple text, this book is perfect for newly independent readers who are just moving into longer books.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Familiar school scenarios—from new schedules to making new friends—are portrayed with humor and understanding in this series that will appeal to and reassure any child starting or continuing in school.

DIVERSE STORIES: Representing neurodivergent kids is a vital aspect of expanding diverse representation across books for all ages. Henry, Like Always 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 were awarded a Schneider Family 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 friendship

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781797216416
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	03/21/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	390,929
File size:	41 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Jenn Bailey is an author, editor, blue-ribbon pie baker, and eager traveler. She received her MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Born and raised in Rhode Island, she now calls Leawood, Kansas, home. She lives there with her husband, three sons, and numerous cats and dogs.
Mika Song grew up in Manila, Philippines, and Honolulu, Hawaii. She moved to New York to attend the Pratt Institute and worked in animation before making children's books. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

Editorial Reviews

This balanced, well-crafted chapter book…includes moments of wry humor. In gentle ink lines and muted-blue washes, the illustrations simultaneously convey the upset feelings…and the directness of Henry’s desires, all handled with respect and empathy for the protagonist. Deeply relatable reassurance for readers unnerved by change.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

 “Bailey and Song have crafted an early reader that effectively immerses the reader in its protagonist’s world… Song’s minimalist pen and ink illustrations perfectly suit Henry’s methodical approach to life. The lilting rhythm of Bailey’s text is calm and predictable; its concise and forthright diction reflects Henry’s view of how the world should be.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The ending of this short chapter book, heavily illustrated and with a format and content to appeal to new readers, is as satisfying as Bailey’s understanding prose and Song’s gentle, friendly illustrations. Henry is an extremely sympathetic hero—relatable and authentic.” - The Horn Book, starred review

“Will inspire and empower all children… a great addition.” — School Library Journal

A 2023 Good Housekeeping Kids Book Award Winner

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2023

The 2024 Schneider Family Book Award Winner

A 2024 Geisel Honor Award Book

From the Publisher

03/01/2023

Gr 1–4—Henry (A Friend for Henry!), who readers might infer is on the autism spectrum, likes his classroom and everything that's always there, especially the calendar that shows the day's activities. It's always the same. On Monday, Mrs. Tanaka announces that there is going to be a change to the schedule—a parade on Friday! Henry's not happy about it. He wants things to stay the same as always. On Tuesday, the class makes posters for the parade, and on Wednesday, they pick out their instruments. As the day of the parade arrives, Henry finds a way to participate in the event that allows him to stay true to himself. This book gives readers on the spectrum a chance to identify with Henry and offers readers who are not a glimpse of Henry's inner world. This will inspire and empower all children to find their own way to make any situation work for them. The beginning chapter book's illustrations are black and white with blue accents that will draw readers' eyes. Artwork features diverse characters of varied skin tones and facial features. VERDICT This title features a boy on the spectrum who finds a way to meet change and manage it; it's a great addition to any library's early chapter book collection.—Myiesha Speight

School Library Journal

★ 2022-12-14
Change is hard for everyone.

Classroom Ten has a Big Calendar, and Henry likes how it never changes. But this week, the teacher, Mrs. Tanaka (who presents as East Asian), announces that their diverse class will have a parade on Friday. Henry points out that Friday is Share Time, so Mrs. Tanaka makes space for the parade by moving Share Time to Thursday. Henry, whose behaviors fall on the autistic spectrum and who presents as East Asian, has an especially hard time adjusting to this alteration in the schedule. The rest of the week involves preparations for the parade, but Henry’s dread just keeps growing, so much so that he feels like there is a volcano in his stomach. Not even his friend Katie (who is brown-skinned) can make him feel better. On Friday, as the class gets ready for the parade, Henry seeks refuge in a quiet space and discovers a solution that will help someone else’s mood as well but, most importantly, also allow everyone to participate in their “own way.” This balanced, well-crafted chapter book, based on A Friend for Henry (2019), includes moments of wry humor, if readers are paying attention. In gentle ink lines and muted-blue washes, the illustrations simultaneously convey the upset feelings brought on by these events and the directness of Henry’s desires, all handled with respect and empathy for the protagonist.

Deeply relatable reassurance for readers unnerved by change. (Early chapter book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews