Henry Huggins is the lesser known resident on Klickitat Street, but he’s got a lot to offer kids and their parents even sixty years later! You are probably more familiar or might remember better from your childhood Beezus and Ramona books, but these two lovable sisters show up in Henry Huggins, too! Plus who can resist Ribsy? Okay, some of you cat lovers might be able to resist him; but as we all know, I’m a dog lover for sure! 
Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary begins with Henry in the third grade and wishing that something exciting would happen to him. And that’s when he meets Ribsy, a lost and hungry dog, while eating an ice cream cone that the dog wants and eventually gets. Of course, somehow in this same chapter, Henry ends up in a police car, but you’ll have to find a copy of Henry Huggins and share it with your children or your class to remember why! Besides getting a stray dog in this book, Henry also brings home a bag full of guppies, throws his friend’s ball into an open window of a passing car, and has to be Timmy in the Christmas play!
So, what makes Henry Huggins a good read still today? Well, I appreciate Henry’s independence, creativity, and imagination. Won’t your students or your children be shocked at how much fun Henry can have without TV and a Nintendo DS? I also think Henry is funny. Kids need to laugh at books. This is a great chapter book for first through third graders to read who are ready to go beyond picture books. It’s good, wholesome fun! Plus, Henry gets into trouble, and many children will be able to empathize with him and discuss some of the things he could have done to stay out of trouble. These are timeless themes!
What’s your favorite Beverly Cleary book?
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