Henry & Mudge

When Henry's parents choose Mudge, the wriggling puppy has floppy ears and straight, soft fur. Mudge is tiny. But Henry knows he'll grow. Now Mudge is three feet tall, and he's the best friend Henry has ever had. Mudge trots to school with Henry, and he sleeps on Henry's bed. But one day the big dog goes for a walk by himself and gets lost. When Henry comes home from school, he is alone. Where's Mudge?

Each of Cynthia Rylant’s Henry and Mudge books gives young readers another chance to spend happy moments with the young boy and his enormous dog. The two friends’ days are filled with sunshine and adventure. But there are always surprises waiting for them, too.

Sitting on the porch with his Great Dane, Mudge, Henry watches a man and a collie walk by. As the collie obeys the man’s commands to sit, lie down, and stay, Henry looks at Mudge and thinks about the things Mudge knows how to do: drool, sleep, and jump up on company.

Henry and his big dog, Mudge, like to play outside. But when a thunderstorm begins, Mudge is unhappy. He wants to go inside. He wants to hide from the loud thunder and sharp lightning. Soon the storm is very windy and noisy, and the lights have gone out. As Mudge hides his head in the sofa, Henry and his parents light candles and play cards. Then, armed with a flashlight, Henry goes on a rescue mission.

Wake up, Mudge! It's Henry's birthday! At first, the floppy dog wants to keep sleeping, but when Henry mentions birthday cake, and ice cream, Mudge's big brown eyes pop open. Join Henry, Mudge, and their friends on a sunny May day filled with balloons, games - and surprises for the little boy and his big dog. This birthday party is every child's dream, especially when it includes crackers from the sky!

When cousin Annie invites Henry and his big dog, Mudge to a family reunion, they can't wait to go meet lots of new relatives and hear lots of good stories. But are all those relatives on the porch, in the yard, and even in the trees at Annie's house really ready to meet Mudge-and experience sloppy kisses full of dog drool?

When Henry and his big dog Mudge see a spy kit for sale, they know right away that it’s time to break open the piggy bank. With their spy hat and magnifying glass and secret code card, Henry and Mudge can flirt with danger, steal secrets, and start cracking codes.

It's time for a camping trip with Henry's parents! They'll go on hikes and smell good smells. They'll see deer and raccoons and waterfalls and rainbows. Henry's mother will cook camp food and Henry's father will sing sappy old songs, and they'll all lie on their backs and look at the stars (except for Mudge—he'll chew on a log, instead).

In January, there’s a lot of snow on the ground. One day when Henry and his big dog Mudge go outside to play, they see a sign in a store window. It says: SNOWMAN CONTEST, SATURDAY AT THE PARK. Henry runs home to tell his dad.

Henry's mother and father are going to a Valentine's Day Sweetheart Dance, and Henry and Mudge are staying with Mrs. Hopper across the street. Henry's never been in Mrs. Hopper's scary, old stone house with its droopy trees and dark windows and gargoyle on the door.