Henry and Mudge and Annie's Good Move: The Eighteenth Book of Their Adventures

ANNOTATION

When Henry's cousin Annie prepares to move in next door he and Mudge help calm her fears.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In Henry and Mudge's eighteenth adventure, Henry's cousin Annie is moving -- right next door to Henry! Annie likes Henry and Mudge, but she's nervous about leaving her friends, and about changing schools, and about what might happen to her things on the moving truck. She's so nervous she's broken out in blotches. But Henry knows just the thing for a bad case of nerves -- a snuggle under a blanket with a big dog like Mudge!

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Henry is excited that his cousin Annie is going to move in next door, but he knows his cousin and fears that she will be worrying about her dresses, shoes and everything else related to the move. Sure enough, Annie is covered with blotches because she is upset. Henry offers a suggestion and Annie goes and snuggles under a blanket in the backseat of the car, and eventually falls asleep nestled up to Mudge. Finally, the move is complete and Annie settles into her new house, comforted by her cousin Henry and his wonderful big dog Mudge. Another delightful story that beginning readers will enjoy.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-In this 18th adventure of these two pals, Rylant and Stevenson have combined their keen perspectives on growing up, their sensitivity to the concerns of children, and their senses of humor for another totally satisfying book. Henry knows his "careful" cousin Annie will be nervous about her move. In fact, the girl is so anxious about leaving her friends, changing schools, and the fate of her favorite clothes (frilly dresses, shiny shoes, and lace hankies) on the moving truck that she breaks out in red blotches. On the big day, Henry helps her deal with her anxiety just as he would-he tells her to crawl under the blankets in the back of his family's car with Mudge, his affectionate large pup and best friend. Hiding out during the move and making a "new-house wish" is the perfect prescription for Annie's fears. The pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons perfectly express the emotional nuances of the text.-Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID

Kirkus Reviews

Rylant and Stevenson's 18th book in the series is a tenderly humorous tale about a common event in family life. Henry, with a little help from Mudge, comes to the aid of his Cousin Annie, who is moving next door. While Henry and his family are delighted, careful Annie views the move with trepidation. She's so nervous that she has broken out in blotches contemplating moving her frilly dresses, shiny shoes, and lace hankies. Henry offers his time-tested remedy for nervousness: a snuggle under the covers with Mudge. Rylant thoughtfully addresses Annie's dilemma, validating a child's concerns and providing a generous solution. Stevenson's gaily colored pen-and-ink illustrations provide a perfect counterpart to the story, deftly highlighting Annie's vulnerability as well as the humor in Henry and Mudge's antics. (Picture book. 6-8)