Henry's Picture-Perfect Day
#2 of 141 in Henry Series
What’s inside...
The third chapter book in the award-winning Henry series features a child on the autism spectrum named Henry, who faces Picture Day challenges with a new striped shirt, an unpracticed smile, and a wobbly tooth. This story highlights the importance of embracing life’s imperfections and one’s own uniqueness. It is aimed at newly independent readers and serves as an excellent resource for parents, librarians, and teachers by providing insight into the experiences of neurodivergent kids. The book has won the Schneider Family Book Award and Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor, making it a reassuring and encouraging read for all school-age children.
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of Henry's day and why?
How did Henry feel when things didn't go as planned, and what did he do?
Can you think of a time when something unexpected happened to you? How did you handle it?
What do you think makes a day 'picture-perfect'?
If you could add one more activity to Henry's day, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in their responses to make them feel heard and valued.
Relate their personal experiences to the story to enhance their connection with Henry’s character.
Encourage them to describe their emotions about different parts of the book to foster empathy and understanding.
Use follow-up questions like 'What else?' or 'Why do you think that?' to encourage deeper thinking.
Praise their thoughts and insights to boost their confidence in expressing themselves.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of responsibility
Explanation: Henry learns to take care of his belongings while planning for his picture-perfect day, showcasing the significance of responsibility through his actions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by managing their own tasks, such as cleaning their room or completing homework on time.
Example Lesson: Value of creativity
Explanation: Throughout his day, Henry uses his imagination to solve problems and make the most of his day, illustrating the power of creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids can harness creativity to enhance their problem-solving skills and adapt flexibly to different situations in school or at play.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Henry's interactions with friends highlight how sharing and cooperation lead to a more enjoyable and successful day.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cultivate positive relationships by sharing, cooperating, and being kind to their peers.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in facing challenges
Explanation: Henry faces several obstacles in his quest for the perfect day, but his resolve to not give up teaches perseverance.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to persist in the face of difficulties, be it in learning new skills or dealing with day-to-day challenges.