Customer Reviews

Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas (Henry and Mudge Ready-to-Read)

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4 star:		(2)
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As a general rule, you do not expect the 26th book in a series for early readers to garner for itself that many awards. I mean, you just don't. In the world of adult, teen, and older children's fiction, any book series that reaches #26 is going to start showing some wear and tear at that point. As for awards, books for early readers don't get that many. They don't! It really wasn't until just last year that the American Library Association decided to FINALLY get about awarding books for kids who are just beginning to read on their own. Called, appropriately enough, the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, there was one absolute hands down winner this year and three good-natured runners-up. The winner? None other than book number 26 in the Henry and Mudge series, "Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas". Color me amazed. I'd read some of the H&M tales back in the day. They were nice but never particularly amazing to me. I mean, Cynthia Rylant has produced more series books for young readers than any other writer living. What made "Great Grandpas" so fabulous? Reading it through now, I still think that "A Splendid Friend, Indeed", deserved the top honor but there's no denying that "Great Grandpas" has a kind of charm that's difficult to resist.

You may not know it, but Henry's Great-Grandpa Bill lives not too far from our heroes Henry (boy) and Mudge (dog). He lives in a beautiful house with a bunch of old men, much like himself, and every once in a while Henry's family visits them. They play games and bring the house of Grandpas butterscotch, and books, and crossword puzzles. As you can imagine, they are very popular. One day, as his parents and the Grandpas stay indoors, Henry and Mudge discover a beautiful pond behind the house. Immediately the two return to the house and invite everyone out for some fine swimming. This is done, in lieu of bathing suits, in what the Grandpas call their "skivvies". Mom, as you might imagine, quite sensibly opts this one out. Then everyone comes home to spaghetti and meatballs and some fine fine sitting in rocking chairs on the porch at night.

I once worked in a library that had a young boy who attended a school for autistic children. He didn't care for much on my shelves, but the one series that earned his love and always had him coming back for more was "Henry and Mudge". The kid couldn't get enough of the books. I don't know if it was the doggish aspects of the story, the simplicity of the art, or the comfortable feeling a person gets from reading one of their adventures, but this boy was Mudge-crazy. In this particular outing, Rylant offers some gentle repetition that works in tandem with the plot. The Grandpas, for all their charms, tire easily. Often Mudge acts as a kind of support or pillow for those Grandpas. And the old fellow resting on the faithful dog is never the same Grandpa twice. Nice that. Together Rylant and illustrator Sucie Stevenson have conjured up a retirement home that all of us would be lucky to end up in. Beautiful scenery. Woods. Rocking chairs. Croquet. Heck, I'm in my twenties and I'm half tempted to find this house and settle down for the rest of my golden years. Who wouldn't want to? It sounds delish.

The plot is sweet and offers enough new and familiar words to help child readers everywhere. Especial kudos also to Rylant for making it very clear that Henry is not allowed to swim all by himself without a grown-up present. Aside from the "Gus and Grandpa" series by Claudia Mills, I don't think anyone's going to find a better early reader book for grandparents and kids to read together with as much mutual satisfaction. The book bears more than a passing resemblance to Mem Fox's classic, "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge", of course. In both books a young boy befriends an old folks home full of caring elderly adults. A comparison between the two isn't exactly fair, though. "Wilfrid" has layers and layers of depth and beauty to it, while "Great Grandpas" is just a wonderful romp with wonderful companions. All in all, this is just a great addition to an already strong series and one that more and more adults are coming to discover. Fun and fine and frolicsome.

Young Henry and his ever-present canine companion Mudge go to visit Great-Grandpa Bill at the "grandpa house," a communal home for elders. Henry and Mudge visit with the elders, go exploring, and discover a swimming pond. Eventually all the men - young and old alike - go swimming in their "skivvies" (underwear! Guaranteed for a laugh from the younger set). With four brief chapters, this easy reader is good for children who are starting to read independently. 2006 Geisel Award winner

I actually gave this book to my grandfather so he could enjoy it with my son. It's a lovely story, gentle, interesting, and funny. I love the "skivvies" and I especially appreciated that Henry and Mudge find the pond, but don't risk playing in it by themselves -- they go find the grownups, who join in the fun. This is a great series and this is one of the best books in it.

This is a great book. One of my son's favorites in the series. Highly recommend this, and the whole Henry and Mudge series, as well as the Mr. Putter and Tabby series.

My granddaughter squealed with delight when she got this book for Christmas. It's part of her favorite series of books. I was glad I was able to find it for her.

This engaging picture book, "Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas", is an enchanting story with creative pictures and entertaining humor. Henry, a young boy, and his dog Mudge, brobdingnagian and loving, go exploring at their Great Grandpas and find a swimming pond. Knowing not to swim without a buddy, they go to canvas for swimmers. Before Henry knows it, all the Great Grandpas are wanting to go swimming! If you read this book, you will start flipping and flailing with guffawing mirth like I did when the Grandpas went swimming in their skivvies! When done, the Great Grandpas, tired as sloths, rested on Mudge, the gargantuan dog, but he didn't mind. It's an outstanding picture book so I would rate it a 5 out of 5 stars. This book is a foolproof gift for a young reader, so give it a try!

Reviewed By Corey

Amazing and astonishing, Cynthia Rylant is a spectacular author, with the Henry and Mudge books being her best. This particular one, Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas, a perfect pick for young children, will engage them because of the silly plot and illustrations, with creative watercolor pictures and entertaining humor. The story revolves around Henry, a young, adventurous boy and Mudge, a large and loving dog who go pioneering, when they find a pond. Eager, they rush back to the house where their many great grandpas live, and everyone, except the mother, goes swimming in their skivvies. One of my favorite pictures is of the pond, shimmering with crystal light as if it was a small piece of heaven. Of course, Cynthia Rylant shouldn't get that credit. Sucie Stevenson does, although she was inspired by Cynthia Rylant's books. She blends good-humored cartoon-like paintings with the story perfectly. This book, heartwarming and amusing, made me guffaw in maniacal laughter. If you read this book, you'll certainly be flipping and flailing in mirth as I did. I'd evaluate this with five stars, and if you know a small child, this is a foolproof gift.Reviewed by Adam