Henry and Mudge and the Best Day of All [Hardcover]

Cynthia Rylant (Author), Sucie Stevenson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996 | Series: Henry & Mudge Books (Simon & Schuster Hardcover)

Today is Henry's birthday. So Henry and his big dog Mudge are going to celebrate with bright balloons, potato-sack races, presents, and a cake. It's going to be the best day of all!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Saying "birthday cake," "ice cream," and "crackers" gets the lovable pup's attention focused on the Best Day of All, his master's birthday. In four short chapters, these best buddies enjoy a special breakfast, a party with games and presents, and, of course, cake. And after the fun-filled afternoon, Henry, his parents, and Mudge (all featured in cartoon-style with lots of color) nap in the yard. With this 14th book in the series, Rylant and Stevenson continue to give beginning readers very easy-to-read stories of love and friendship.?Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 1. It's Henry's birthday in the latest joyful, very simple chapter book about Henry and his huge dog, Mudge. The brief text and large, bright watercolor illustrations show Henry waking up with his pet, enjoying gifts and cake at his party with his parents and his friends, and swinging at a pin{¤}ata to crack it wide open. The pleasure is in the details, which will lure beginning readers and also make a happy read-aloud for younger kids. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689810067
• ISBN-13: 978-0689810060
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,782,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cynthia Rylant is the author of numerous distinguished novels and picture books for young readers. In addition to her beginning-reader series: Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and Mr. Putter and Tabby, as well as her Cobble Street Cousins early-chapter series, she is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning Missing May, the Newbery Honor Book A Fine White Dust, and two Caldecott Honor-winning picture books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Series for the Only Child, September 3, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Henry And Mudge And The Best Day Of All Ready To Read Level 2 English Edition (Paperback)

This long and growing series is terrific for all kids, but especially only children. Although Henry has no siblings and his best friends are his dog Mudge and his cousin Annie (also an only, apparently in a one-parent household), with the exception of the first book, the series does not dwell on his sibling-free status. It simply presents a well-adjusted kid enjoying a wide range activities. Henry is constructive with his time (but not so much as to be unrealistic; see "Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend"), sociable, not prone to loneliness and never portrayed as pining for a little brother or sister. As the parent of an "only", I find the whole series great for subtly conveying an affirmative message without beating it over the head.
To be sure, Henry's is a somewhat idealized, white-kid, small-town life and the books are not entirely p.c. - the illustrations of the family car never seem to picture seat belts and Henry's diet apparently includes lots of hot dogs, potato chips and refined sugar. But as part of a wider reading program, Henry and Mudge provide a great series of simple chapter books to be read to youngsters or read by beginning readers.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a party!, June 22, 2000

By 

"jonesclan" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Henry And Mudge And The Best Day Of All Ready To Read Level 2 English Edition (Paperback)

My children love this book. My 2 year old wanted this for hisbedtime story every night for 2 weeks. It is still one of hisfavorites. His 4 year old sister loves all of the Henry & Mudge books, but she especially loves this one. She keeps asking if we can have a pinata at her party. I like it because it is short enough for the whole book to be a bedtime story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great henry and mudge book -birthday theme, October 2, 2011

By 

J Anderson "jellybean" (Issaquah) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Henry And Mudge And The Best Day Of All Ready To Read Level 2 English Edition (Paperback)

Another sweet book from the Henry and Mudge series. This book tells about Henry's birthday party - waking up and being excited, celebrating with is friends, being content with the day. It is about a 2nd grade reading level.

I read this book and other books from this series to my son when he was 3 and 4. He asked for them over and over for a year or so. I thought that would be the end of them, but now that he is a few years older, he is interested in them again- and reading them to himself this time.