Horrid Henry's Christmas

Horrid Henry's Christmas by Francesca Simon; illustrated by Tony Ross

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Language: English
ISBN-10: 140221782X
ISBN-13: 978-1402217821

If you have elementary aged children, I'm sure you have heard of Horrid Henry. This best selling chapter book series comes from the UK and debuted in the USA earlier this year. The books each contain 4 short stories, all centered around a mischievous little boy named Horrid Henry.

This book has elements of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever as Henry tries to become the star of the school Christmas play. Outraged because his younger brother, Perfect Peter, was given the star role in the play - Joseph - Henry is unhappy with his one-word role of the Inn Keeper. He tries every way in the world to get Mrs. Battle Axe - his teacher - to expand his role, but she is not budging from her decision. Hilarity ensues on opening night, when Henry can't remember his one-word line and starts to improv by inviting Joseph and Mary into the Inn!

The other 3 stories in the book build off this first one, and they are just as cleverly written. In true Henry fashion, he works very hard to do all his Christmas without spending any money, because what is Christmas if you have to spend all your allowance? Henry also conceives a plan make Santa Claus give him more presents for Christmas, and then he has to live through the worst Christmas dinner in history. Oh, and did I mention, Henry manages to destroy the Christmas tree?

Although these stories of Horrid Henry may make some parents cringe, his actions are so over-the-top you can't help but be intrigued by his naughtiness. The stories are short, so they make perfect bedtime reading, and your children may actually be proud of themselves because they could never be as Horrid as Henry!

Horrid Henry Redux

Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy by Francesca Simon; illustrated by Tony Ross

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402222750
ISBN-13: 978-1402222757

"When Perfect Peter's tooth falls out, Henry gets a great idea. He will steal the tooth and put it under his own pillow so that the Tooth Fairy gives him the reward instead of Peter. Will the Tooth Fairy fall for it?"

Horrid Henry is a fictional character created by Francesca Simon and illustrated by Tony Ross. The first Horrid Henry was written and published in 1994 and as of the end of 2008, there have been sixteen titles published, as well as numerous collections, activity books and joke books.

Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy is the 3rd book in the continuing tales of Henry and his family and friends. This book contains the following stories: "Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy," "Horrid Henry's Wedding," "Moody Margaret Moves In," and "Horrid Henry's New Teacher."

Margaret spying on his treasures, sleeping in his bed, playing with his toys while he had to share a room with Peter ...

and so begins my favorite story of this book. Moody Margaret lives next door to Horrid Henry and she will be spending two weeks with Henry's family while her own family is on vacation. Will this be the beginning of World War III? Moody Margaret does not like Horrid Henry and Horrid Henry does not like Moody Margaret. But Henry's parents soon learn that Margaret and Henry are cut from the same cloth.

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Horrid Henry's Stinkbomb by Francesca Simon; illustrated by Tony Ross

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Language: English
ISBN-10: 140221779X
ISBN-13: 978-1402217791

Horrid Henry and Moody Margaret are a perfect pair. Henry has a secret club tht doesn't allow girls in. Margaret has a secret club just for girls. And both Henry and Margaret love to play pranks. But with Perfect Peter and Sour Susan acting as spies, which secret club will win?

Horrid Henry’s Stinkbomb has the following stories: "Horrid Henry Reads a Book," "Horrid Henry's Stinkbomb," "Horrid Henry's School Project," and "Horrid Henry's Sleepover."

In my favorite story, "Horrid Henry's Stinkbomb", Henry uses a stinkbomb as a toxic weapon in his war with Moody Margaret. When Perfect Peter is "fired" from Horrid Henry's secret club and Soar Susan is "fired" from Moody Margaret's secret club, the two ban together to seek their revenge. Typical childhood pranks, this story had me laughing out loud.

Horrid Henry

Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon; illustrated by Tony Ross

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402217757
ISBN-13: 978-1402217753

"What are we going to do about that horrid boy?" sighed Mom.
"How did two people as nice as us have such a horrid boy?" sighed Dad.

And so begins the horrid tales of Henry. As a mother who enjoys reading "The Adventures of Captain Underpants," I jumped at the chance to read this funny children's series. A #1 best-selling chapter book series in the UK, "Horrid Henry" is written by an American author, Francesca Simon, and is illustrated by Tony Ross.

Each Horrid Henry book contains four funny short stories about Henry and his friends and family. Stories in this first book include: "Horrid Henry's Perfect Day," "Horrid Henry's Dance Class," "Horrid Henry and Moody Margaret" (my favorite story in the book) and "Horrid Henry's Holiday."

With people like Moody Margaret, Perfect Peter, Spotless Sam, Goody-Goody Gordon, Soar Susan, Tidy Ted, and Horrid Henry's favorite teddy bear, Mr. Kill, children will identify with these characters and see themselves with new eyes.

The first 4 books in this wonderful series are being released this week in the United States and are expected to be as popular as they are in the UK. Elementary school age children, and their parents, should love these books, and the easy to read print and words make these the perfect first reader chapter books.

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Horrid Henry and the Mega-mean Time Machine by Francesca Simon; illustrated by Tony Ross

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1842550691
ISBN-13: 978-1842550694

Horrid Hentry invents a time machine and promises to send his brother, Perfect Peter, to the future (as soon as Peter puts on one of Mom's dresses). But when Peter gets there, it isn't exactly what he had in mind In fact, evertying kind of looks the same ..."

In the continuing tales of Horrid Henry, this second book contains the following stories: "Horrid Henry's Hike," "Horrid Henry and the Mega-mean Time Machine," "Perfect Peter's Revenge," and "Horrid Henry Dines at Restaurant Le Posh."

Following the tale of Horrid Henry's little brother, Peter, I was laughing out loud at both boy's antics. Poor Perfect Peter, having to put up with a brother like Horrid Henry. This time he swears Henry will never trick him again.