Henry at Home

by Megan Maynor, Alea Marley (Illustrator)

Overview

The love between a brother and sister shines through in this reassuring picture book about a common childhood transition—an older sibling starting school and leaving the younger one behind.

Liza is Henry's big sister, and Henry is Liza's little brother. As long as there has been a Henry and Liza, they have always done everything together. Haircuts, birthday parties, tree climbing, even flu shots. Liza and Henry. Henry and Liza. But that all changes when Liza starts school for the first time, heading off to kindergarten and leaving her little brother behind. Henry is incredulous. How can Liza do this to him?

This true-to-life picture book, gorgeously illustrated, explores a sweet sibling relationship and carries an important and reassuring message about family and growing up.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781328916754
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	07/27/2021
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Megan Maynor is the author of several picture books, including It's Taco Knight!, Helga Makes a Name for Herself, and Henry at Home. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, children, and pet rabbit. Visit her online at meganmaynor.com.

Alea Marley is the illustrator of Henry Without Liza and A Day so Gray, among others. She lives in the UK.
www.aleamarley.co.uk
Twitter: @aleazui
Instagram: @aleazui

Editorial Reviews

"This book deftly explores a topic not often seen in the back-to-school genre: the experience of the younger sibling. A solid addition to the back-to-school shelves."—Kirkus "Younger siblings or those worried about distance weakening close bonds will find reassurance in this tender narrative."—Publishers Weekly "Henry at Home is an excellent reminder that precious relationships can survive great change and that independence can strengthen, not threaten, a special bond."—BookPage "Cartoon-style illustrations, rendered in Procreate and finished in Photoshop, capture the children’s warm relationship as the text gently demonstrates that Henry and Liza can develop their own interests while staying close and loving."—Booklist —

From the Publisher

2021-05-19
Siblings learn to adjust to a new normal when big sister Liza starts kindergarten and little brother Henry must learn to get along without her.

Henry and Liza, a brown-skinned sibling pair with kinky-curly brown hair, have been together “as long as there had been Henry and Liza.” They read, explore the outdoors, play, and get haircuts and flu shots together. One of their favorite things to do is to visit their Best Place under the Twisty Tree, but as its yellowing leaves—a prominent theme throughout—portend, things are about to change. When Liza gets a new backpack, Henry learns that not only is he not old enough to go to school, but his skills at writing, drawing, and using scissors are not enough to gain him entry. As leaves flutter down around him, Henry lets out a “ROARRRRRR!” The theme of leaves continues on the wallpaper as Henry storms upstairs to a blanket fort in which “no kindergartners [are] allowed!” Working through his anger, Henry discovers that there are lots of things he can do without Liza. As he gets lost in his imagination, a process delightfully played out in Marley’s empathetic cartoons, he starts to enjoy himself and realizes there may be some benefits to Liza’s absence. This book deftly explores a topic not often seen in the back-to-school genre: the experience of the younger sibling. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A solid addition to the back-to-school shelves. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews