Henry Potty and the Pet Rock: An Unauthorized Harry Potter Parody [Paperback]

Valerie Estelle Frankel (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

All is not well at Chickenfeet Academy. Lord Revolting, murderous goldfish-flusher and creator of the mega-wedgie, seeks ingredients to take over the world, including Really Wimpy's pet rock! Henry Potty and his best buddies set out to rescue it, unaware the least likely character in the book has enticed it away for her own sneaky agenda. Henry struggles through Hobology and Extremely Dry History, preps for America's Funniest Fairygodchildren, and tries to avoid laundering Professor Snort's dreaded hankies, or worse, watching A History of Cabbages in Polish. All the while, he has his fan club ready, down to the exclusive "Henry Potty" toothpick holders, although none of his fans exist yet. Unapproved, unendorsed, unofficial, and unstoppable: an award-winning parody for all the Harry Potter fans.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Children of all ages (including adults) will adore this hilarious parody! -- The Best Reviews. Kathy Boswell, President of Reviewers International Organization. July 24, 2006.

Henry Potty is a witty, absurd send-up with a charm all its own. -- Seized by the Tale. July 31, 2006.

I haven't laughed out loud so much since reading Bored of the Rings -- Reader's Robot, July 25, 2006

If you're in the mood for a silly farce it'll be perfect, and even if you aren't it'll be fun. -- Burning Void Reviews, July 17, 2006

About the Author

Valerie Estelle Frankel was the youngest person ever to receive a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from San Jose State University. She now teaches creative writing and composition for San Jose State University. Her many short stories have appeared in over seventy magazines and anthologies including Legends of the Pendragon, Rosebud Magazine, and The Oklahoma Review. Many of her short stories can be found on her website, www.HarryPotterParody.com, along with contests, giveaways, and an interactive fantasy kingdom especially for kids.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: WingSpan Press (December 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159594088X
• ISBN-13: 978-1595940889
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,248,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Valerie Frankel was born at an early age. Once a professor at San Jose State University, she does storytelling for kids and has taught most grades, from kindergarten through high school. Her many short stories and essays have appeared in over eighty anthologies and journals including The Prisoner and Philosophy, Inside Joss' Dollhouse, Illuminating Torchwood, Rosebud Magazine, and The Oklahoma Review. After earning a B.A. at UC Davis, she became the youngest person ever to receive a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree from San Jose State University, an event that has earned her only limited wealth and success. She enjoys dancing, acting, and costuming in what little remains of her spare time, and reads a novel every day, just for fun. She would have gone crazy long ago, except for her collection of singing potatoes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining for all ages, May 10, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Henry Potty and the Pet Rock: An Unauthorized Harry Potter Parody (Paperback)

Henry Potty and the Pet Rock is an adorable unauthorized Harry Potter parody written by Valerie Estelle Frankel. Henry Potty is the baby left in an asparagus crate on the doorstep of the Dorky family, relegated to the lowly status of household slave. Though his daily duties involve catering to the whims of Dumpy Dorky and his Dorky parents, Henry is fully aware that he is destined to be the hero of the novel, and bides his time with a room filled with the various action figures, games, and merchandise that will inevitably be in demand when his heroics are recognized.

When Henry receives an acceptance letter to Chickenfeet Academy in California from Professor Bumbling Bore, the Dorkys are eager to send him on his way. With the lackluster aid of his fairy godmother, Henry boards the Chickenfeet trainer for his new life as a "gizzard." Once at school, Henry and his classmates are greeted by the large and hairy Higgle, who ushers them on to a long and boring introduction from Professor Bore, then to dorm selection by the "sorting rat" under the direction of Miss McGonk. After being bitten by the sorting rat, Henry meets his new Heroes Dorm roommates, Horrendous Gangrene, a "which," and Really Wimpy, another gizzard. While Horrendous and Really work to defeat the pungent Lord Revolting while keeping up with their school assignments, Henry will valiantly take the credit for their accomplishments.

Though intended as a children's book, Henry Potty and the Pet Rock has no discernable age limit, as the cover reveals when it states "For ages 2-222." The story flows with a corniness that will make young children giggle, dotted with random jokes to keep an adult reader's attention.

Armchair Interviews says: Even Frankel's bio at the end of the book is filled with humor.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harry Potter meets the Muppets, September 6, 2006

By 

David N. Shuster "Docshu" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Henry Potty and the Pet Rock: An Unauthorized Harry Potter Parody (Paperback)

Clever light satire abound in this whimsical farce. It is a great, humorous read, complete with insightful humor appropriate for kids and still funny for adults. Highly recommended!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful for kids, adults, and families!, January 18, 2007

By 

Donna Kanter (Saratoga, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Henry Potty and the Pet Rock: An Unauthorized Harry Potter Parody (Paperback)

I so very much enjoyed reading Valerie Frankel's novel, Henry Potty and the Pet Rock." With deft humor she is able to capture everything from fairy tales gone astray to the plight of the working poor and the unions that should be advocating for them, all in a fantasy world based on the runaway best selling Harry Potter series. What is exceptional about this parody is that it is perfectly suitable for children who are enchanted with Harry Potter novels and/or movies, yet will keep an adult's attention until the last page. Ideal for reading aloud to children, this novel has the ability to bring family members of all ages together.

It is my hope that we will see many more novels by this most promising young author in the future.