Nothing ever happens to Henry Huggins. Nothing, that is, until a stray dog named Ribsy comes into his life. Pretty soon, Henry and Ribsy are wreaking havoc on the city bus, getting a ride in a police car with sirens wailing, and winning a prize at the dog show. Thanks to their joint shenanigans, Henry finds himself covered in green paint one day, and later accidentally colors Ribsy's fur pale pink. One week, Henry catches earthworms for his fisherman neighbor to raise money for a borrowed ball Ribsy helped him lose. One football costs a lot of earthworms--1,395, to be exact. Plus 41 worms for tax. Life is no longer dull.

Beverly Cleary's lively, award-winning books virtually shout "good, old-fashioned fun!" Since 1950, Henry and his friends (found in Beezus and Ramona and Newbery Honor Book Ramona and Her Father, among others) have displayed all the mixed-up emotions and tricky jams kids everywhere seem to experience. Henry's action-packed days are captured in droll line drawings by Louis Darling. Luckily for young readers, there are dozens of Cleary books to explore as soon as this one is devoured. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly
Cleary provides a warm, autobiographical introduction to this excellent adaptation of her first book, which was originally published in 1950. Actor Harris (Doogie Howser, M.D.) has enthusiasm to spare in his lively take on Cleary's endearing and humorous work. Third-grader Henry Huggins, who has hair that "looks like a scrubbing brush," is a pretty ordinary kid a little too ordinary in his opinion. Henry wants some excitement in his life. One day, excitement arrives in the form of a skinny stray dog that befriends Henry at the drugstore. Boy and pooch bond instantly when Henry offers his ice cream cone to the dog, who downs it in one gulp. Henry calls his four-legged pal Ribsy, for obvious reasons, and with more than a little effort and confusion, brings the lovable pet home to his family's house on Klickitat Street via city bus and then police car. Harris proves a versatile performer taking on a whole community of friendly voices, including Henry's exasperated but supportive parents and memorable neighbors Beezus and Ramona. He nails Henry's sense of innocent wonder and his sweet, honest demeanor in every scene, employing an authentic boyish delivery that can amuse as well as tug at the heart just like Cleary's writing. Ages 8-12. (May) Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Gr 2-5-Actor Neil Patrick Harris reads Beverly Cleary's novel (Morrow, 2000) with verve and expression in this excellent book-on-tape production of the 50th Anniversary edition of the book. Henry's discovery of a stray dog, Ribsy, is just the beginning of a year of excitement and fun. He hunts night-crawlers, raises gallons of guppies, is stuck with a horrible part in the school operetta, and nearly loses Ribsy in this delightful, classic children's book. Harris creates different voices for each character. He particularly gets into the chapter on the school play, making that section especially hilarious. At the beginning and end of the tape, there is an interview with Cleary that provides interesting insights into what inspires her and her views on the writing process. This exceptional production will delight listeners.Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Caruso's portrait of Henry's well-intentioned, childlike innocence creates a huggable and lovable character. The expressions, such as her worried tone when Henry's ingenious plans go awry, enhance the story's comic misadventures. The adult characters' voices are in stark contrast to those of Henry and his friends. Their stern voices are humorously exaggerated, perfectly conveying children's perception of adults as being too serious. The hilarious situations and delightful characterizations make Henry Huggins a sure-fire hit with elementary school listeners. M.P.T. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

ANNOTATION

When Henry adopts Ribsy, a dog of no particular breed, humorous adventures follow.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Henry Huggins feels that nothing very interesting ever happens to him. But from the moment a stray dog in the drugstore begs for a taste of his ice-cream cone and downs it in one gulp, everything is different. Henry names the dog Ribsy and decides to keep him. Before Henry even reaches home with Ribsy he spends all of his money, gets kicked off three buses, and enjoys a hair-raising ride in a police car. And that's only the beginning of Henry's exciting new life!

FROM THE CRITICS

Parents Magazine

A genuinely humorous story.

Children's Literature

This tape celebrates fifty years since the book's publication, and it starts with an interview with Beverly Cleary that will probably be of more interest to parents than children. But soon we are thick in the humorous day-to-day adventures of Henry and his friends on Klickitat Street. The story still works for children and parents listening to this tape, and whether they grew up on Cleary or not, they will understand why it has been a classic since publication. Neil Patrick Harris has voice range and dramatic expression that bring all the characters to life, from Ribsy's growls to Henry's mom's resignation at the way Henry handles his dilemmas. There are two cassettes, unabridged. 2001, Harper Children's Audio, $18.00. Ages 6 up. Reviewer: Susie Wilde

School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-Actor Neil Patrick Harris reads Beverly Cleary's novel (Morrow, 2000) with verve and expression in this excellent book-on-tape production of the 50th Anniversary edition of the book. Henry's discovery of a stray dog, Ribsy, is just the beginning of a year of excitement and fun. He hunts night-crawlers, raises gallons of guppies, is stuck with a horrible part in the school operetta, and nearly loses Ribsy in this delightful, classic children's book. Harris creates different voices for each character. He particularly gets into the chapter on the school play, making that section especially hilarious. At the beginning and end of the tape, there is an interview with Cleary that provides interesting insights into what inspires her and her views on the writing process. This exceptional production will delight listeners.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile - Mark P. Tierney