Everything Goes: Henry Goes Skating: A Fun Picture Book About Ice-Skating and Vehicles for Children (Ages 4-8)

Everything Goes: Henry I Can Read! - Level My First

by Brian Biggs, Simon Abbott (Illustrator)

It's a snowy day, perfect for ice-skating! Henry sees lots of amazing vehicles on his way to the rink, but the best vehicle of the day is around the corner.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Sports

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2012

About the author

Brian Biggs is the author and illustrator of more than a dozen children's books including the Everything Goes series, Tinyville Town, The Space Walk, and My Hero. He has also illustrated more than 60 book written by authors such as Jon Scieszka, Katherine Applegate, Cynthia Rylant, and Mac Barnett.

In addition, Brian created the graphic novels Frederick & Eloise, published by Fantagraphics in 1993, and Dear Julia, published by Top Shelf in 1999.

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Brian lived in Texas, New York, France, and California before settling down in Philadelphia, where he lives with his wife and several imaginary friends.

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry observes different methods of transportation and challenges of transportation in a city during a snowfall on his way to the ice rink.

A cute little winter read that features some unusual methods of transportation, like a zamboni, ice skates, and a sled dog as well as more common ones. Students here in the tropics will find this an enthralling look at a totally foreign world...except for the ice rink. We have one in the mall. Hand this to kids obsessed with transportation just beginning to read, or those looking for a wintery read.

[Minday Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little book. My son read it all by himself!

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry Goes Skating is the second easy reader to spin off from Brian Biggs’s Everything Goes series about different types of transportation. These spin-offs are written by B.B. Bourne and are illustrated by Simon Abbott drawing in the style of Brian Biggs. This story focuses on a winter theme, as Henry wakes up and discovers it is snowing. As he and his family make their way through the snow to go skating, they see cars, plows, trucks, policemen traveling on horses, and even a Zamboni before returning home again to make a snowman.

As I read this story, I could tell that the entire plot was set up to incorporate as many snow-related vehicles as possible. Though the story is ostensibly about Henry and his family going to the skating rink, this is really just an excuse to introduce the different modes of transportation people might use on a snowy day. Obviously, this makes sense, because the parent series this book is based on is all about transportation, but it bothered me a little bit that the plot didn’t have much substance outside of listing buses, dump trucks, plows, etc. Henry’s enthusiasm for the different vehicles helps, as I think little boys tend to get very excited about such things, but I still think the story could have done a better job of incorporating the transportation theme into the plot. It would have been more interesting if, for example, Henry’s family got stuck in ice, instead of just watching it happen to other people.

I like the artwork in this book, though it’s always a disappointment to learn that it’s not the work of the original artist. Biggs’s style is colorful, warm, and friendly, and these illustrations are, too, but I think it cheapens the reading experience a little bit when I realize these pictures are just imitations and not the real thing. The book is still very appealing to look at, though, and I haven’t seen it on the library shelf for more than 30 seconds since it arrived at my library.

Henry Goes Skating is a cozy Winter read for fans of Thomas the Tank Engine and Trucktown. Share it with your new reader on a snow day, or before you head out to sled or skate yourselves.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the Everything Goes books by Biggs, but this time is in a format perfect for very early readers. When Henry wakes up, there is snow on the ground and more falling. He thinks it’s the perfect day to build a snowman, but his family decides to head skating instead. On their way to the rink, they see all sorts of vehicles, including a bus that is stuck on the ice. Luckily, there is a tow truck helping the bus get on its way. At the rink, they see a Zamboni and get to skate in the snow. When they get back home, it’s snowman building time!

Done in the style of Biggs, this book is not actually written or illustrated by him. It does capture the busy and bright style of the earlier books by Biggs that had lots of vehicles and movement. The illustrations here are filled with color and motion. The writing is simple enough for the earliest of readers.

Combine basic words with the popularity of cars and trucks and you have a winning early reader. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I have not read Everything Goes: On Land and the "...in the Air" after getting my hands on this I Can Read! book from the series I think I will have to look for those and the other I Can Read! From Brian Bigger Everything Goes. This is a My First Level early reader with short and simple but fun sentences full of varying punctuation. A great one for the winter months whether your early reader will get snow or not, they can experience it along with Henry in his car ride to go ice skating and later to build a snow man. All the winter white sites he sees (obviously on city streets) bring out a story in simple sentences that is fun for intriguing the earliest readers. The images are fun and colorful too.

Thanks to HC.
Typed on Kindle Fire.

scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...

[Lorri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and colorful book for young kids, especially those who like snow! There isn't much writing, so it makes it easy for beginning readers. I remember years ago when I was excited to see snow falling. That meant spending time outside doing something fun, like what Henry does in the book--ice skating and building snowmen.

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Terry]

This is so much more than an easy reader! I love the idea of sharing it with toddlers and preschoolers to explore the illustrations (counting, colors, objects, cute little birds in hats!), then letting Kindergartners and first graders read and explore for themselves.

See why our reviewer thinks this is an exceptional seasonal book choice in the Reading Tub review.

[katsok · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Henry's adventure to go skating.

[Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

The books says early reader but I thought it was too hard for beginners.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little ones who love cars and trucks and things that go will like this book.

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan summer reading 2016, children's book, easy reader, leveled reader, i can read my first shared reading, series, everything goes, first grade, second grade

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry watches all the different types of transport stuck in traffic because of the snowfall. He reminds me of my nephew who is truck obsessed.

2025: My nephew read it to me. How special

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun early reader. Will write up a review later.

[Colby Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would have made me happy when I was in the first or second grade.

[Mindi]

A winter book.