Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas

Henry and Mudge is a picture book series that received a Geisel award winner for Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas. Written by Cynthia Ryland and illustrated by Sucie Stevenson whose characters are drawn with affectionate characteristics and relaxed colors. This book starts with the usual characters of Henry a young boy and Mudge his very large dog. They are visiting Henry’s grandpa house who lives with a bunch of other grandpas on a sunny summer day. Henry enjoys visiting their grandpa and the grandpas delight in their visit. In time, Henry and Mudge go out exploring into the woods behind grandpa’s house and come up to a pond. Eventually, the grandpas and Henry and Mudge are all swimming in their underwear. As the day nears end, they go home where Henry’s mother has a big plate of spaghetti ready where everyone eats and gets full. Henry and Mudge rest, glad for a grandpa house. Other books with similar themes in this series include Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers, Henry and Mudge and the Tall Tree, and Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night.

Teachers can use this book for an ELA curriculum by identifying elements of a story. In addition, students can write a story about a day in their lives using correct grammar and writing mechanics.

Rylant, C. (2005). Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas. (S. Stevenson, Illust.) Simon Spotlight.