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The Stories Huey Tells
If you loved The Stories Julian Tells , just wait until you meet his younger brother, Huey! This beloved and bestselling chapter book series is all about family, imagination, and friendship!
It isn't easy being Julian's younger brother. When Huey has bad dreams, Julian says his are scarier. When Huey wants to study animal tracks, Julian says he's too young. But Huey isn't a baby. He's an adventurer, a chef, a tracker, and a scout. And he's about to show Julian—and the world—all that he can do.
It isn't easy being Julian's younger brother. When Huey has bad dreams, Julian says his are scarier. When Huey wants to study animal tracks, Julian says he's too young. But Huey isn't a baby. He's an adventurer, a chef, a tracker, and a scout. And he's about to show Julian—and the world—all that he can do.
- GenresChildrensShort Stories
112 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 1995
About the author
Ann Cameron
73 books42 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Ann Cameron grew up in Wisconsin. Today, she and her husband live in Guatemala. From her house she can see a waterfall and three volcanoes. Ann Cameron has been a teacher and an editor as well as a writer.
She says that writing is hardest for her at the beginning of a book. To get started, she follows this important rule for writing: "Apply seat of pants to bottom of chair."
Ann Cameron grew up in Wisconsin. Today, she and her husband live in Guatemala. From her house she can see a waterfall and three volcanoes. Ann Cameron has been a teacher and an editor as well as a writer.
She says that writing is hardest for her at the beginning of a book. To get started, she follows this important rule for writing: "Apply seat of pants to bottom of chair."
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 24, 2020
So I absolutely adored
and therefore I'm really disappointed to say that I hate The Stories Huey Tells. I find it preachy and trying too hard. I don't care for fiction books that are overly obvious in their attempts at teaching a lesson to kids. We all learn through the books we read, but good authors don't hit their readers over the head with their message. I feel like Ann Cameron is a brilliant writer who fell into the trap of writing books kids should be reading rather than what's in her heart. Where More Stories Julian Tells felt natural and fun, The Stories Huey Tells feels like Cameron is working from a publisher's checklist of issues children need help with. The stories feel commissioned and patronizing.
I, too, have a "try new foods at least once" rule, but I'm not a fan of forcing anyone to finish food just because it's on their plate at a restaurant. Not because I like to waste food or money, but because that kind of attitude fosters a refusal to try new things. If a child has a choice between the mac 'n cheese they know they like, and the unfamiliar dish they will be forced to finish whether they like it or not, why would they EVER leave their comfort zone and try the new thing? We adults have the power to make a child's exploration an exciting and rewarding experience, or one that is fraught with the risk of having to choke down foods that make you gag. Never mind the fact that forcing children to finish what's on their plate only teaches them to ignore their bodies' cues, as is illustrated here by Huey's belt manipulations. Eating disorder, anyone?
I've also had plenty of awful nightmares. A longtime recurring nightmare from my childhood had wolves coming down from the nearby woods to eat me. I know that nighttime fears are a big issue for a lot of children, and I am grateful for writers who try to help kids cope. The thing is that, in my opinion, the story of Huey dealing with his nightmares comes across as well-intentioned, but ultimately horrifying rather than calming. I found myself getting stressed reading it, and I can't imagine how it would soothe any child's worries.
Banana Spaghetti was ok, but nothing special. I didn't read the rest of the book because I strongly disliked the first two stories and didn't find much to love in the third. I assume the following ones contain similar material. There are better books out there.
and therefore I'm really disappointed to say that I hate The Stories Huey Tells. I find it preachy and trying too hard. I don't care for fiction books that are overly obvious in their attempts at teaching a lesson to kids. We all learn through the books we read, but good authors don't hit their readers over the head with their message. I feel like Ann Cameron is a brilliant writer who fell into the trap of writing books kids should be reading rather than what's in her heart. Where More Stories Julian Tells felt natural and fun, The Stories Huey Tells feels like Cameron is working from a publisher's checklist of issues children need help with. The stories feel commissioned and patronizing.
I, too, have a "try new foods at least once" rule, but I'm not a fan of forcing anyone to finish food just because it's on their plate at a restaurant. Not because I like to waste food or money, but because that kind of attitude fosters a refusal to try new things. If a child has a choice between the mac 'n cheese they know they like, and the unfamiliar dish they will be forced to finish whether they like it or not, why would they EVER leave their comfort zone and try the new thing? We adults have the power to make a child's exploration an exciting and rewarding experience, or one that is fraught with the risk of having to choke down foods that make you gag. Never mind the fact that forcing children to finish what's on their plate only teaches them to ignore their bodies' cues, as is illustrated here by Huey's belt manipulations. Eating disorder, anyone?
I've also had plenty of awful nightmares. A longtime recurring nightmare from my childhood had wolves coming down from the nearby woods to eat me. I know that nighttime fears are a big issue for a lot of children, and I am grateful for writers who try to help kids cope. The thing is that, in my opinion, the story of Huey dealing with his nightmares comes across as well-intentioned, but ultimately horrifying rather than calming. I found myself getting stressed reading it, and I can't imagine how it would soothe any child's worries.
Banana Spaghetti was ok, but nothing special. I didn't read the rest of the book because I strongly disliked the first two stories and didn't find much to love in the third. I assume the following ones contain similar material. There are better books out there.
December 10, 2022
Our copy is getting so worn out, I had to read this to decide if it warranted purchasing a new copy.
It is a little didactic, as other reviewers have said, BUT it is actually the same level of didacticism that kids this age practice! So I think it is age-appropriate.
The realistic interactions show how loving family members and friends may not get it 100% right every time there's some disagreement or a need for support, but over time they inch closer to loving-kindness, especially when each person speaks up for themselves OR at least keeps providing opportunities for others to do better, and giving some feedback when their support-system misses the mark.
Although the cover illustrations on the entire series show a Black family, the author doesn't seem to be Black herself, and our library strives to prioritize #ownstories. However, this is a basic/simple, positive depiction of a solid African American family, that feels simplified but not too sanitized.
For readers looking for the idealized version of a community, where neighbors are friendly and children can walk themselves to the park, and an authentic depiction of a cohesive, loving family, this fits the bill.
I would like to buy a new copy of this story, so we can provide new audiences with a shinier cover image...
HOWEVER, now that I have the entire set of books in front of me, I see that NONE of them has been checked out lately, and we have multiple copies at several branches in our system...all of which are ALSO sitting on their shelves.
The copy I have in my hand of this title has to be withdrawn due to condition. I'm going to trim our branch's collection of the series of The Stories Julian Tells from 8 books to 4, so we can provide access to this fictional family, and also make room for new authors.
It is a little didactic, as other reviewers have said, BUT it is actually the same level of didacticism that kids this age practice! So I think it is age-appropriate.
The realistic interactions show how loving family members and friends may not get it 100% right every time there's some disagreement or a need for support, but over time they inch closer to loving-kindness, especially when each person speaks up for themselves OR at least keeps providing opportunities for others to do better, and giving some feedback when their support-system misses the mark.
Although the cover illustrations on the entire series show a Black family, the author doesn't seem to be Black herself, and our library strives to prioritize #ownstories. However, this is a basic/simple, positive depiction of a solid African American family, that feels simplified but not too sanitized.
For readers looking for the idealized version of a community, where neighbors are friendly and children can walk themselves to the park, and an authentic depiction of a cohesive, loving family, this fits the bill.
I would like to buy a new copy of this story, so we can provide new audiences with a shinier cover image...
HOWEVER, now that I have the entire set of books in front of me, I see that NONE of them has been checked out lately, and we have multiple copies at several branches in our system...all of which are ALSO sitting on their shelves.
The copy I have in my hand of this title has to be withdrawn due to condition. I'm going to trim our branch's collection of the series of The Stories Julian Tells from 8 books to 4, so we can provide access to this fictional family, and also make room for new authors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2018
This book is hilarious and so charming! We couldn’t stop giggling reading it together. Perfect for a first grader and fun for parents too.
September 3, 2013
In which Huey invents banana spaghetti for a Mother's Day breakfast-in-bed and fools his older brother Julian marvelously, among other things. When Julian gets a book on animal tracks and dismisses Huey's request to look at it because, J says, Huey isn't old enough, Huey sneaks peeks at the book, replicates the tracks of a zebra and an elephant leading up to the house, and has Julian agog for days and setting up zebra traps. When Huey isn't happy with the way his invention, banana spaghetti, looks and tastes and doesn't want to serve it to his mom for Mother's Day, Huey's dad (I love the parents in this book--firm with rules, patient with mistakes and concerns) praises the idea and helps him alter the execution, resulting in something the whole household finds tasty.
One mark of a good beginning chapter book for me is, if it's a series, whether I'm inspired to go read more. With many I'm not, but with Huey (and, recently, Dyamonde Daniel and Anna Hibiscus) I am. (Recent beginning chapter books I liked well enough but wasn't inspired to immediately read more from? Calvin Coconut, Lulu and the Duck in the Park, Zapato Power).
One mark of a good beginning chapter book for me is, if it's a series, whether I'm inspired to go read more. With many I'm not, but with Huey (and, recently, Dyamonde Daniel and Anna Hibiscus) I am. (Recent beginning chapter books I liked well enough but wasn't inspired to immediately read more from? Calvin Coconut, Lulu and the Duck in the Park, Zapato Power).
January 30, 2011
Huey is an adorable African American boy who uses his imagination to get the best out of his young life. His parents have clear rules, and Huey is learning to be a conscientious young man, but one who knows how to smile and have fun. Many of the lessons he learns were well timed with my nearly four-year-old son's level of maturity. The chapters are a little long for the younger age set, but overall, Huey is a great character for young children.a
May 6, 2010
This is a cute chapter book for kids around ages seven to nine. It tells about things Huey does: eats fish and mushrooms at a restaurant, makes banana spaghetti for his mom, makes animal tracks outside and tricking his brother into thinking there is a zebra on the loose, walking to Africa (but only getting as far as the park.)
January 26, 2014
In this fun and funny series of short stories great for transitional readers, Huey doesn't have the easiest time of being Julian's younger brother, but Huey uses his imagination and creativity to overcome. Despite the siblings' quibbles, the family depicted is close, loving, and warm.
January 27, 2009
My daughter is reading this for school.
September 13, 2009
Stories told from the point of view of Julian's little brother, Huey. Love getting different P.O.V.s!
Read
May 14, 2012it was so so so so funny i just loved it.
Read
April 18, 2013Huey tells stories about things that happen to him. Huey has a great imagination.
July 25, 2013
This is a nice early reader chapter book series. The author has written several other books about Huey's brother and friend, Gloria.
January 12, 2014
A cute book that kids would enjoy. I especially like the banana spaghetti idea! Too bad my kids are a bit too old for this...but I may suggest this when they are a reading buddy to a younger child.
January 27, 2017
I've been using this book for read aloud to my second graders. They love it!
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July 9, 2018I want to read a story
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews