Henry & Mudge

When Henry's parents choose Mudge, the wriggling puppy has floppy ears and straight, soft fur. Mudge is tiny. But Henry knows he'll grow. Now Mudge is three feet tall, and he's the best friend Henry has ever had. Mudge trots to school with Henry, and he sleeps on Henry's bed. But one day the big dog goes for a walk by himself and gets lost. When Henry comes home from school, he is alone. Where's Mudge?

In Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble, the appealing boy and his big drooly dog celebrate spring by finding a March flower good enough to eat, an April puddle big enough for a surprise splasher, and a May litter of kittens for Mudge to watch over.

Best friends Henry and Mudge find autumn a great season for sharing jack-o-lanterns and ghost stories, and for enjoying a visit from Aunt Sally at Thanksgiving. The wonders of winter are explored with great delight by Henry and his big red dog - the first snowfall, Christmas Eve dinner, a walk in the night. Simple stories with perfect kid appeal, these thoughtful adventures provide a memorable experience.

One night, Henry and his parents find a stray cat on their doorstep. It's not a pretty cat, but it is very friendly. Once it meets Mudge, it is also a very happy cat. What will happen, now, if someone claims Mudge's scruffy new friend? George Guidall's narration brings out all the frisky, affectionate humor in Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat. Young readers and their parents will laugh out loud at the gentle and unlikely bond between the two animals, and they will enjoy the delightful solution to their dilemma.

Sitting on the porch with his dog, Mudge, Henry watches a man and a collie walk by. As the collie obeys the man's commands to sit, lie down, and stay, Henry looks at Mudge and thinks about the things Mudge knows how to do: drool, sleep, and jump up on company. So Henry decides to enroll Mudge in dog obedience school. On the first day, Mudge dances with the trainer; on the following days, Mudge learns commands. But will he learn enough to pass the final test?

Henry and his big dog, Mudge, like to play outside. But when a thunderstorm begins, Mudge is unhappy. He wants to go inside. He wants to hide from the loud thunder and sharp lightning. Soon the storm is very windy and noisy, and the lights have gone out. As Mudge hides his head in the sofa, Henry and his parents light candles and play cards. Then, armed with a flashlight, Henry goes on a rescue mission.

Wake up, Mudge! It's Henry's birthday! At first, the floppy dog wants to keep sleeping, but when Henry mentions birthday cake, and ice cream, Mudge's big brown eyes pop open. Join Henry, Mudge, and their friends on a sunny May day filled with balloons, games - and surprises for the little boy and his big dog. This birthday party is every child's dream, especially when it includes crackers from the sky!

When cousin Annie invites Henry and his big dog, Mudge to a family reunion, they can't wait to go meet lots of new relatives and hear lots of good stories. But are all those relatives on the porch, in the yard, and even in the trees at Annie's house really ready to meet Mudge-and experience sloppy kisses full of dog drool?

When Henry and his big dog Mudge see a spy kit for sale, they know right away that it's time to break open the piggy bank. With their spy hat and magnifying glass and secret code card, Henry and Mudge can flirt with danger, steal secrets, and start cracking codes. On their first spy mission, Henry tells Mudge to try not to look suspicious. Mudge rolls in the mud and chews on an old shoe, so no one will ever think he's a spy. But then Henry finds a piece of paper with a real spy code written on it.

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.

When Henry's mom tells them Cousin Annie is moving right next door, Henry and Mudge are thrilled. Henry knows Annie will be nervous about leaving her friends and changing schools, but there's nothing better for a bad case of the nerves than a snuggle under a blanket with a big dog like Mudge. Best-selling author Cynthia Rylant shows young readers that no problem is too difficult to face-as long as there's a big dog around to hug.

In January, there's a lot of snow on the ground. One day when Henry and his big dog Mudge go outside to play, they see a sign in a store window. It says: SNOWMAN CONTEST, SATURDAY AT THE PARK. Henry runs home to tell his dad. On Saturday, the park is filled with people building all kinds of fancy snowmen. There are many dogs there, too. While Mudge makes friends, Henry and his dad get to work. They will need to make a very unusual snowman to win this contest!

Uncle Jake builds a tree house for Henry. But after 14 minutes up the tree, Henry really misses Mudge. What fun is a tree house if you can't share it with your favorite pal?

Award-winning author Cynthia Rylant's best-selling Henry and Mudge books are favorites of children of all ages. Henry and his big dog Mudge are very excited - Valentine's Day is coming! This year, Henry's parents are going to a Sweetheart Dance for Valentine's Day. While they are away, Henry and Mudge will stay across the street with Mrs. Hooper in her big and scary stone house.