Customer Reviews

Hot Air Henry

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Henry is a curious cat who goes for an unexpected ride in a hot air balloon belonging to his human. What stands out to a "real" balloonist is the faithfulness of the artwork to real life ballooning--this is exceptionally well researched--and quite attractive. A fun book for the cat-lover or ballooning hobbiest.

I liked Hot-Air Henry because it was funny how the cat took the hot-air baloon and flew it by it's self. I liked it because the author really describes how the cat feels. I think it's neat how the author gave the cat and other animals some human characteristics. One thing that I think they could would be to make the story longer and have the cat run into more problems.

Henry wants to fly. Meow! Hot Air Henry, by Mary Calhoun (William Morrow, 1981), is the purrfect story of a willful Siamese cat who wants to take his feline talents one step further. While his owner isn't looking Henry leaps up into the basket of a hot air balloon that sends him soaring into a blue winter sky. Fear isn't an option for Henry, as he quickly learns how the balloon works.

With Henry as the narrator and Erick Ingraham's images cleverly positioned, the reader is able to experience the hot air balloon through Henry's eyes. When Henry looks down on the world below or rushes to catch a crew of blackbirds, so does the reader. Although the images are mildly unclear, they are skillfully contrasted against a snowy white landscape. Still, while the story's pace is quick and suspenseful, the obstacles and finale are expected. The book aligns with a child's introduction to spirit and perseverance in the face of all odds.

Hot-Air Henry, written by Mary Calhoun (Morrow Junior Books, 1981), tells of a curious Siamese cat by the name of Henry. Henry's quest for adventure leads him to pilot a hot air balloon by himself. Intending on becoming a stowaway while his family takes lessons, Henry accidentally fires up the burner and lifts off into the sky. An eagle and geese complicate Henry's plans for landing safely, and the story will keep young readers on the edge. The novelty of a cat operating a hot air balloon is enjoyable, as are the images of Henry perched on the side of the basket, high above the ground. Children will be engaged in Henry's adventure and be able to relate to his curious nature. Erick Ingraham's marvelous illustrations depict a wintry mountain landscape and realistic scenes of a family and their pet cat. Hot-Air Henry is worth a read, both for the beautiful illustrations and the high-flying adventures of Henry.

My daughter and I love the Henry books. Each one of this author's books are fun and enjoyable for both the parent and the child. We also love the artwork in the books. Henry the Cat is a fun character for all children to enjoy.

Hot-Air Henry was published in 1981, written by Mary Calhoun and Illustrated by Erick Ingraham.
Hot-Air Henry is a book that I think children would like if they like adventure books and books about animals. The book is about a sassy Siamese cat named Henry that wanted to fly with his family in their hot-air balloon, but the man always said that he wasn't flying with a cat. When they got done filling up the balloon with air and setting it up, the kid was holding down the basket. So henry ran to the basket and hopped in it. All of a sudden the balloon heated up and it took off with just Henry in the balloon, so he was flying. While he was in the air...he was traveling over the mountains and the rivers, into the sky! As he peaked over the side he couldn't see Colson Hill or the power lines. All of a sudden all these birds came at him and the balloon. The wind took him toward the mountains in the wrong direction. And now he didn't know what to do! Then in the air an eagle screeched at him, so he was scared even more. Then he heard a "honk honk honk" and it was a gesse. So now the cat and the geese were in the basket flying over everything together. But wasn't the greatest because they kept on fighting. Henry flew over the geese and made the geese go away...saying " honk honk". Then Henry pulled the ripcord and the basket came floating downward toward the ground. At last the man grabbed the basket and safely Henry returned.

Henry, of Hot Air Henry and other books, is the absolute best. Try the Reading Rainbow video of the book also. It is incredible.

Great book for any cat lover

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

Fun book which I share with the children as I also have a siamese cat.

This is a delightful book and I do not understand the reviewer who gave it only 1 star because he disliked a different book by the same author--that's not the way reviews work.