Bailey, Jenn. 2019. A FRIEND FOR HENRY. Ill. Mika Song. San Francisco, CA. Chronicle Books. ISBN 978-1-4521-6791-6.

BIBLIOGRPAHY 

Bailey, Jenn. 2019. A FRIEND FOR HENRY. Ill. Mika Song. San Francisco, CA. Chronicle Books.  ISBN 978-1-4521-6791-6. 

PLOT SUMMARY 

Henry, a young boy with a disability goes about his day at school waiting to meet a friend. Every classmate he interacts with turns out to be a situation of a misunderstanding or he does not enjoy the way they play. Henry struggles to make a friend, but in the end, he connects with a classmate who he enjoys playing with.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS) 

The characters in this story are authentic and not stereo-typed because each student is dressed in everyday school clothes. They are all portrayed playing appropriately for school-aged children. We see a good balance of everyday situations of a normal school day where students seek the teachers' help in a situation that needs attention. Henry has a difficult time playing with his classmates as he interacts with several children, but he eventually finds another student who shares similar traits of enjoying their own space and playing in a specific way. The setting is representative of the characters’ environment in the story as they are school-aged children and are shown interacting in the classroom and the outside playground equipment.  

Henry’s behavior of becoming overwhelmed with the way other students play or do certain things is consistent with children with diverse abilities. The illustration of Henry’s teacher asking him to sit with her as she reads a book to regulate his emotions is an accurate depiction of differentiated instruction for children who need help regulating their emotions. Henry sat “But couldn’t see the pictures,” here we see how he is trying to regulate his emotions alongside his teacher. This picture book celebrates diversity because we see inclusion of children with diverse abilities experiencing the school day amongst classmates by learning through play and learning from misunderstandings as well as regulating emotions with assistance. This story meets the criteria of quality literacy for neurodiverse abilities, friendship, and determination. The illustrations are simple and invite the reader to reflect and analyze the determination it takes for a child with diverse abilities to overcome adversity in a school setting where children develop social skills.   

REVIEW EXCERPTS 

Booklist, 02/15/19 

Horn Book Magazine, 05/01/19 

Kirkus Reviews, 01/15/19 

Publishers Weekly Annex, 12/24/18 

Schneider Family Book Honor, 2020 

School Library Journal, 02/01/19 

Booklist (February 15, 2019 (Vol. 115, No. 12)): “Bailey’s debut picture book allows readers to empathize with a child, despite overt difference, has needs that are much the same as everyone else’s.” 

Horn Book Magazine (May/June 2019): “Song’s pastel-hued ink and watercolor illustrations depict realistic social situations in a supportive and diverse classroom, paying particular attention to facial expressions ranging from frustration to joy.” 

Kirkus Reviews (January 15, 2019): “Song’s style allows for small impression and intentional gaps, like her rough hair textures and the outline of a fishbowl. It is in a state of becoming, like the burgeoning friendship. Whether on the spectrum or not, friends don’t have to share everything, just enough, and this book sweetly provides.” 

CONNECTIONS 

Students can discuss with each other how they saw Henry’s behavior change throughout the story. 

Inviting students to share a personal experience of a time they played with another friend and possibly had a misunderstanding that needed to be addressed with an adult would be a great way to have students discuss social interactions from playing with others.  

Having students act in different scenarios where social interactions can teach children how to respond in situations where social emotional skills can be applied.  

Percival, Tom. MEESHA MAKES FRIENDS. ISBN 979-83-687-2352-5 

Capacilli, Alyssa Satin. THE LIBRARY FISH. ISBN 978-1-53447-707-0 

Bailey, Jenn. HENRY AND THE SOMETHING NEW. ISBN 978-1-79721-390-3