Henry and Mudge and the Big Sleepover

Henry and Mudge #28

by Cynthia Rylant, Suçie Stevenson

Henry and Mudge are going to a sleepover at Patrick's house! There's pizza and popcorn, games and monster movies...and Mudge even has his own sleeping bag (he's too big to share Henry's). But will anyone at this sleepover ever get to sleep?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Fiction, Animals, Chapter Books, Friendship

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Cynthia Rylant is an American author, poet, and librarian whose deeply felt books for children and young adults have made her one of the most beloved voices in contemporary literature. Writing across picture books, novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, she has published more than one hundred works, many of them rooted in memory, family, solitude, and the emotional landscapes of ordinary life. Her fiction often draws from her upbringing in West Virginia and reflects the textures of Appalachian life with unusual tenderness and clarity.

Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.

Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.

Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.

Reviews

[J9]

Another great Henry and Mudge book that my 5 yr old loved. Most of these that we find at the library are level 2 reader books and right now, that's perfect for my son. He's between a level 2 and 3 and often gets either, but he absolutely loves Henry and Mudge and can relate to many of his adventures. Not for preschoolers, but great beginner reader books for the young reader.

[Kaylee East]

In this story, Henry and Mudge are invited to a sleepover at Patrick’s house. All of Patrick’s friends and their dogs are invited to the event. On the night of the sleepover they all gathered in the living room of Patrick’s house. However, they were a bit too bouncy to stay there and moved the sleepover upstairs to the attic. During the sleepover they played games, watched scary movies, and of course ate pizza and popcorn. At the end of the night everyone got in their sleeping bags to go to bed and all the dogs cuddled up with Mudge for a good night sleep. I would use this story for guided reading in a second grade class. Before reading, I would ask the students what they do with their friends on the weekends. Then I would tell a little anecdote about what I like to do with my friends on the weekend. Next, I would have them turn and tell their neighbor about it. I would ask a few to share their ideas. I would tell them that they were going to read a story about Henry, Mudge, and all their friends who are going to have a big slumber party together. Then I will tell the student’s let’s read to find out what the slumber party is like!

[Le Maistre Chat]

Henry and Mudge #28 out of 28.
Remember back in the first book, when Henry had no friends? Things sure have changed since then. I don't recall if Patrick was introduced before this: did he and Henry bond over both having dogs?
Patrick's parents let him host a boys-only sleepover, and every one of his guy friends owns a dog. The parents make them play, eat and watch movies in the attic because they have a million breakable knick-knacks.
Cute but not deep. My 2-year-old loves books about sleepovers, though (she's asked for the Curious George one hundreds of times).

[Alysse]

Henry and his dog Mudge are invited to a sleepover. They plan on watching scary movies and staying up late with their friend. They get excited about eating popcorn too! The sleepover was full of boys and their dogs. They had the sleepover in the attic and played games, ate pizza, and watched a movie. When they climbed into their sleeping bags they made silly shadows on the wall. They all had a great time.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter]

So many kids love sleepovers, and I’m sure would love it even better with the addition of dogs! Henry and Mudge get to experience all the time honored sleepover traditions-staying up late, eating junk food, watching scary movies... I also appreciate the little sprinkles of humor for adults, the host parents are very relatable!

[Wasif]

Henry and Mudge are so excited for the sleepover. He and his (dog) Mudge had a great sleepover. Mudge was the best dog in Patick house.

[Aldo Jr.]

Cool. Favorite part: they got to eat popcorn and watch a movie and stay up late.

[Brianna]

This story definitely has fun excitement. Henry gets invited to a sleepover and know there is going to be scary movies and a tub filled with popcorn filled night. Kids will love the colorful illustrations and fun plot

[Noah]

I like that there was so much dogs.

[Gavin]

Read book when i was very young

[Elizabeth]

Boys and their dogs on a sleepover make for hilarious fun.

[Melissa]

Linc loves the Henry and Mudge adventures.

[WinterBat]

Introduces the concept of a sleepover to young readers, but what sleepover has everyone bring their dogs? Just seemed an excuse to have Mudge be around

[Sarah Ellen]

Great first readers!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams]

I love how we get to see sleepovers from different aspects. - The parent's aspect and the children's

[Emma]

Brave of the parents to have all of those kids and their dogs sleep over.

[Cberry2]

One day Henry and Henry's big dog Mudge got a phone call from Henry's freind Patrick. Patrick wanted sleep over on Saturday. Patrick told Henry to bring a flashlight, pillow and a sleeping bag. Henry told Mudge:" We're going to have a sleepover." Stay up later we will watch monster movies and eat lots of popcorn. Mudge jumped and dig a little dance. When Henry got to Patrick's house on Saturday, they boys and dog were all bouncy. Then the sleepover began. Everyone got up to the attic. Patrick had lots of games. When it got dark, Patrick's mom gave them some pizza . To be coutinued...

[Chantelle]

My son and I both thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and were excited to find out what would happen as we started each one. Because my son was between 5-6 years old (he's an advanced reader) at the time, he easily identified with Henry and loved Mudge because (1) he desperately wanted a dog, and (2) Mudge's goofiness was endearing AND hilarious.

Read Aloud: Pre-K and Kindergarten
Introduces plot, character development, foreshadowing, and use of imagery.

Independent Reading: First or Second grade (6-7 years old). More complex sentence structure than "Mr. Putter Series" and slightly longer paragraphs. Short chapters (with clever titles), character development, humor, and an easy to follow plot will encourage all children to read.

Underlying themes of friendship, thoughtfulness, and responsibility are seamlessly weaved throughout the book. Although this is a fairly simple children's book, I found myself laughing out loud at the many adventures of Henry and Mudge.

HIGHLY Recommend!!

[A]

Henry is a young boy with a big big dog named Mudge, hence the series is titled, Henry and Mudge. This is a cute easy reader series geared for boys probably because the main character is a boy. Henry and Mudge are both invited to a sleepover party at a friends house. All the young boys have brought their dogs too. They watched movies, ate popcorn and played games with the dogs. And as it turns out, Mudge was the best dog there. In the morning all the dogs were cuddled up next to him in his sleeping bag. This easy reader and begining chapter book is appropriate for readers in grades 1-3.

[Alexandria Hiam]

Henry is a young boy with a big big dog named Mudge, hence the series is titled, Henry and Mudge. This is a cute easy reader series geared for boys probably because the main character is a boy. Henry and Mudge are both invited to a sleepover party at a friends house. All the young boys have brought their dogs too. They watched movies, ate popcorn and played games with the dogs. And as it turns out, Mudge was the best dog there. In the morning all the dogs were cuddled up next to him in his sleeping bag. This easy reader and begining chapter book is appropriate for readers in grades 1-3.

[Becca Jasman]

Publication Date: 2006

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Awards won: Garden State Children's Book Award, 2009 Winner Easy Reader Series New Jersey

Themes: sleepovers; dogs

Annotation: Henry takes Mudge to a sleepover where all the boys bring their dogs. The boys and dogs watch movies, eat popcorn, and sleep in the attic.

Ways to use the book with children: easy reader; book that children can relate to

[Rosa Cline]

This was a very sweet Henry (a little boy) and his HUGE dog Mudge adventure. His friend invite him over for a sleepover and of course Mudge is invited as well. Henry can't wait...there will be monster movies, popcorn and just fun. When the sleepover does come all of what Henry imagined came true and his friend's parents let all the boys sleep in the attic! They had all the fun they wanted. And of course all their dogs were there too.

[Emily]

A series that has been around for decades still connects with boys everywhere...I mean, who wouldn't want to have a sleepover with their best friends and their humans? Read Henry and Mudge and the Big Sleepover to find out what the dogs get into and how their humans keep amused. At AR BL: 2.5 this is great for the student just starting chapter books.

[Dolly]

Our girls aren't quite ready for a sleepover of this magnitude, but they love having sleepovers with their cousins and next-door neighbors. This is a good way to introduce the idea of a big group sleepover, and it's a fun book to read aloud.

[J]

Another quick and easy Henry and Mudge book. Good for my 3.5 year old. He likes them but I can't imagine their going to be any kid's favorite. I would give them 3.5 stars if I could.

[Carol Jen]

This was a fun book... Henry goes to a sleepover where all the boys bring their dogs and I am partial to cute dog stories.

[Tobinsfavorite]

Who on Earth would have six little boys AND THEIR DOGS over for a sleepover? Who cares. It's another fun H&M book. I've liked others more, but this one is fine.

[Leiera Monae]

Children's Reading Adventures Book Club, Summer 2014

*D.E.A.R. Time -- Read to 4 & 5 year olds*

06.09.2014

[Kaethe]

Some people really love Henry and Mudge. They tend to be much younger than me.

[Jack Whitson]

Really liked it, but not my favorite Henry and Mudge!