Horrid Henry

by Francesca Simon

Overview

Horrid Henry and his neighbor Moody Margaret decide to make the most sloppy, slimy, sludgy, sticky, smelly, gooey, gluey, gummy, greasy, gloppy glop possible. Is it the best glop in the world or the worst thing that's ever happened to them? Plus three other stories so funny we can't even mention them here.

DISCOVER THE SERIES BOYS AND GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD LOVE TO READ!

Francesca Simon is one of the world's best-loved children's authors. She is the only American to have ever won the Galaxy Book Award, and her creation, Horrid Henry, is the #1 bestselling chapter book series in the UK—with a hit TV show and over fifteen million copies sold! Each book contains four easy-to-read stories and hilarious illustrations by the one and only Tony Ross, so even the most reluctant of readers won't be able to resist Henry's amazing talent for trouble!

"Will make you laugh out loud."
—Sunday Times

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HORRID HENRY AT JABBERWOCKYKIDS.COM!

PRAISE FOR HORRID HENRY

Why Horrid Henry?

Kids love it!
"I love the Horrid Henry books by Francesca Simon. They have lots of funny bits in. And Henry always gets into trouble!"
Mia, age 6, BBC Learning is Fun

"It's easy to see why Horrid Henry is the bestselling character for 5-8 year olds."
Liverpool Echo

Because it's funny
"My two boys love this book and I have actually had tears running down my face and had to stop reading because of laughing so hard. My oldest son is rereading all the books in this series on his own now and he still loves them. Happy reading!"
T. Franklin, Parent

"A modern comic classic."
SF Said, Guardian Children's Books Supplement

Kids get to be harmlessly rebellious
"Henry is a beguiling hero who has entranced millions of reluctant readers... little rebels will love this collection and even little angels will be secretly thrilled by Henry's anti-heroic behaviour."
Herald

Henry's naughtiness is a yardstick against which children can get a sense of their own moral goodness and social justice
"What is brilliant about the books is that Henry never does anything that is subversive. She creates an aura of supreme naughtiness (of which children are in awe) but points out that he operates within a safe and secure world."
Emily Turner, Angels And Urchins Magazine

Reaches the most important age group - children who are learning to read
"I have tried out the Horrid Henry books with groups of children as a parent, as a babysitter, and as a teacher. Children love to either hear them read aloud or to read them themselves. The books are spot on for the 5-8 age range and are fun for the adults who share them too."
Danielle Hall, Teacher

The structure provides new readers with a real sense of accomplishment
"My son is 7 years old and a big Horrid Henry fan. This book lived up to his expectations! Horrid Henry is like most boys: he always has a plan and is always getting into mischief! It was amusing, and he could not put it down. Can't wait for the next. He read it cover to cover by himself in 2 days! That for me sells a book! He can't wait for the next one to be published. He has recommended it to all his friends."
Mrs. Tami Gold, Parent

Reaches both boys and girls equally
"Wonderfully appealing to girls and boys alike, a precious rarity at this age."
Judith Woods, Times Books

A global publishing phenomenon with 12 million copies sold!

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HORRID HENRY:

"Parents reading them aloud may be consoled to discover that Henry can always be relied upon to behave worse than any of their own offspring." Independent

"An absolutely fantastic series and surely a winner with all children. My son took this book as his favourite during book week at his school and converted a few children to the cause. Long live Francesca Simon and her brilliant books! More, more please!"

"My 5-year-old adores them so much he couldn't wait to start reading because of them."

"I really like Horrid Henry and like reading it to my dad. It's funny!"
Matthew, 9, St. Albans

"Horrid Henry is a fabulous anti-hero: monstrously selfish and greedy, he does things most children only dream about... a modern comic classic."
The Guardian

"My 6-year-old son has now read the whole series unaided and is quite content to re-read the stories again and again. My 5-year-old is dying to be able to read well enough so she can read them independently too!"

"Henry is really naughty and makes me laugh. He's very funny and he has lots of adventures."
Martha, age 5, Bella

"A flicker of recognition must pass through most teachers and parents when they read Horrid Henry. There's a tiny bit of him in all of us."
Child Education

"It didn't even make it to the library shelves and there's a long waiting list for it! Enough said."
Nancy Astee, Child Education

"A definite must for every teacher - reading about Henry makes your naughtiest child seem like a saint!"

"As a teacher of 8-year-olds, it's great to get a series of books my class love... They torment me to lend them the books so they can read them on their own. Need I say more?"

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402217753
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	04/01/2009
Series:	Horrid Henry Series
Pages:	90
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	400L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Francesca Simon was born in the United States and attended both Yale and Oxford universities. For ten years she worked as a freelance journalist. She now writes fulltime and has had many books published including the bestselling Horrid Henry series and several picture books. She lives in North London, England, with her husband, Martin, and her son, Josh.

Tony Ross is a prolific illustrator of books for children, including Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry series, Martyn Beardsley's Sir Gadabout stories - as well, of course, as his own stories. Over the past few years, Tony has become one of the best known creators of original and traditional picture books and his work has been sold all over the world. Tony Ross was born on August 10, 1938, in London. He trained at the Liverpool School of Art and has worked as a cartoonist, a graphic designer, as the Art Director of an advertising agency, filmmaker, and as Senior Lecturer in Art at Manchester Polytechnic.

Read an Excerpt

Excerpt from Story 1: Horrid Henry"s Perfect Day

Henry was horrid.
Everyone said so, even his mother.
Henry threw food, Henry grabbed, Henry pushed and shoved and pinched. Even his teddy bear, Mr. Kill, avoided him when possible.

His parents despaired.
"What are we going to do about that horrid boy?" sighed Mom.

"How did two people as nice as us have such a horrid child?" sighed Dad.

When Horrid Henry"s parents took Henry to school they walked behind him and pretended he was not theirs.

Children pointed at Henry and whispered to their parents, "That"s Horrid Henry."
"He"s the boy who threw my jacket in the mud."
"He"s the boy who squashed Billy"s beetle."
"He"s the boy who…" Fill in whatever terrible deed you like. Horrid Henry was sure to have done it.

Horrid Henry had a younger brother. His name was Perfect Peter.
Perfect Peter always said "Please" and "Thank you."
Perfect Peter loved vegetables.
Perfect Peter always used a hankie and never, ever picked his nose.
"Why can"t you be perfect like Peter?" said Henry"s mom every day.

As usual, Henry pretended not to hear. He continued melting Peter"s crayons on the radiator.
But Horrid Henry started to think.
"What if I were perfect?" thought Henry. "I wonder what would happen."

When Henry woke the next morning, he did not wake Peter by pouring water on Peter"s head.
Peter did not scream.
This meant Henry"s parents overslept and Henry and Peter were late for Cub Scouts.
Henry was very happy.
Peter was very sad to be late for Cub Scouts.
But because he was perfect, Peter did not whine or complain.

On the way to Cub Scouts Henry did not squabble with Peter over who sat in front. He did not pinch Peter and he did not shove Peter.
Back home, when Perfect Peter built a castle, Henry did not knock it down. Instead, Henry sat on the sofa and read a book. Mom and Dad ran into the room.

"It"s awfully quiet in here," said Mom. "Are you being horrid, Henry?"
"No," said Henry.
"Peter, is Henry knocking your castle down?"
Peter longed to say "yes." But that would be a lie.
"No," said Peter.

Table of Contents

1 Horrid Henry's Perfect Day
2 Horrid Henry's Dance Class
3 Horrid Henry and Moody Margaret
4 Horrid Henry's Holiday

Editorial Reviews

Fine fare for beginning readers, this clever book should find a ready audience.

Booklist

The angle here is spot-on, and reluctant readers will especially find lots to love about this early chapter book series. Treat young readers to a book talk or read-aloud and watch Henry go flying off the shelf.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"a loveable bad boy"

People

"The writing is very clever, the humor will have you laughing your pants off, and I firmly believe these books are so popular because there's a little Horrid Henry in each of us... Ross's illustrations bring Horrid Henry's mischievous side to life with his devilish looks and slanted eyebrows."

Examiner.com

"Humor is a proven enticement for reluctant readers, and Francesca Simon's 'Horrid Henry' series locates the funny bone with ease"

Newsday

"Kids who love funny books will love the 'Horrid Henry' series by Francesca Simon... Simon's hilariously dead-pan text is wonderfully complemented by Tony Ross's illustrations, which comically capture the consequences of Henry's horridness."

Scripps Howard News Service Children's Corner

"Fine fare for beginning readers, this clever book should find a ready audience. " - Booklist

"The angle here is spot-on, and reluctant readers will especially find lots to love about this early chapter book series. Treat young readers to a book talk or read-aloud and watch Henry go flying off the shelf." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

""a loveable bad boy" " - People

""The writing is very clever, the humor will have you laughing your pants off, and I firmly believe these books are so popular because there's a little Horrid Henry in each of us... Ross's illustrations bring Horrid Henry's mischievous side to life with his devilish looks and slanted eyebrows."" - Examiner.com

""Humor is a proven enticement for reluctant readers, and Francesca Simon's 'Horrid Henry' series locates the funny bone with ease"" - Newsday

""Kids who love funny books will love the 'Horrid Henry' series by Francesca Simon... Simon's hilariously dead-pan text is wonderfully complemented by Tony Ross's illustrations, which comically capture the consequences of Henry's horridness."" - Children's Corner, Scripps Howard News Service

""For kids beginning to read independently, "Horrid Henry" by Francesca Simon and Tony Ross arrived from England this year, importing sophisticated humor and a sly approach to storytelling. Not since "Nate the Great" has an early reader series created such a buzz."" - Los Angeles Times

""Not since "Nate the Great" has an early reader series created such an addiction."" - Newsday

""Sometimes kids just need to laugh. In these four easy-to-read stories about mischievous Henry, kids may laugh so hard they'll snort milk out through their noses!"" - Central California Parent

"Do your kids like silly books?...Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry series features horrid but loveable Henry and Moody Margaret. " - Montgomery Life

"These are good chapter books and the girls might like to read them too." - Loogootee Tribune

"Unbelievable. Laugh-out-loud hilarious. Francesca Simon is my sons' new favorite writer of all time. She's as cheeky as Roald Dahl and as hilarious as Dav Pilkey and the titular Horrid Henry may be the worst child you've read about in a long time. But that doesn't mean his stories aren't utterly fabulous...A must-read." - Patch.com

Audiobooks: "[Horrid] Henry is the exemplar by which other boys can measure their own horridness...Miranda Richardson plays Henry just right, neatly balancing peevishness, effrontery and sheer life force."

From the Publisher

A publishing sensation in the United Kingdom, the Horrid Henry series has crossed the Atlantic to take up residence in American homes. Fast-paced and funny, these chapter books are perfect for beginning and reluctant readers. Horrid Henry introduces the naughty protagonist and other characters—Perfect Peter, Henry's younger brother, and Moody Margaret, his neighbor—who recur to hilarious effect in the other nine titles. Reinforcing author Francesca Simon's mood of mischief and mayhem are the energetic black-and-white illustrations by Tony Ross. Simon and Ross get those rambunctious moments just right, including the boy's dance debut with Miss Impatience Tutu and a nothing-goes-right family vacation. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum

Children's Literature - Mary Quattlebaum

Horrid Henry, star of the enormously popular British series, is finally crossing over to the U.S., and kids who appreciate a mischievous streak will welcome his arrival. In this first book, Henry discovers that being good-like his brown-nosing, vegetable-loving brother, Perfect Peter-can be its own brand of mischief; Henry also disrupts his dance class and fights with his neighbor Moody Margaret ("When he put a spider on her arm, Margaret laughed. When he pulled her hair, Margaret pulled his harder"). In the fourth story, the family goes on vacation, where (as is often the case) Henry's antics work in his favor: on the rainy camping trip, he uses the tent pegs for a campfire, causing the tent to collapse and flood, and forcing his family to comfier accommodations. Henry's over-the-top behavior, the characters' snappy dialogue and Ross's hyperbolic line art will engage even the most reluctant readers-there's little reason to suspect the series won't conquer these shores as well. Pubs simultaneously with Horrid Henry's Stinkbomb, Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine and Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy; two additional volumes are due in June. Ages 7-10. (Apr.)

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