Horrid HenryHorrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy
Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine
Horrid Henry's Stinkbomb
by Francesca Simon, illustrated by Tony Ross. (Grades 1-3.)
Move over, Bart Simpson, there's a new prankster in town. Whether he's trying to steal his brother's tooth for the tooth fairy, concocting stinkbombs to use against his neighbor Margaret, or acting up at a fancy French restaurant, Henry is horrid and he has no remorse. He plays pranks on his young brother (nicknamed Perfect Peter because he's so simperingly well-behaved), annoys his classmates, and wreaks havoc on any adult in his path.
Kids are going to love him.
Horrid Henry is a popular series and cartoon show in England and it's being published in the States for the first time. Tony Ross's illustrations are reminiscent of Quentin Blake.Things often work out for Henry in an ironic way and there are no moral lessons here. Each book contains four episodic stories of Henry's antics. He cheats, he lies, he steals, and it's all hilarious. I can already think of a group of high-spirited boys at my library who are going to love Horrid Henry!
Hand this one to fans of the spunky Junie B. Jones, the zany antics of the Time Warp Trio, or younger readers of Roald Dahl.
Check out Horrid Henry's official website as well as Francesca Simon's website. You can also get a taste for the cartoon show on YouTube. The bright colors remind me a little bit of Arthur, but Henry's way more horrid than Arthur ever could be...