Henry and Mudge and the Funny Lunch: Ready-To-Read Level 2

This is our favorite of the Henry and Mudge books we have read so far. The illustrations are great and it shows a nice spark of creativity from Cynthia Rylant. We have read it many times. The reading level is perfect at level 2. Nice story, nice illustrations, nice challenge, nice humor. Kid-approved, Parent-approved.

Henry's dad helps him cut up the pineapple into a "pineapple sofa" and then make "people" out of fruit to sit on it, all as a surprise for mom on Mother's Day. In the tradition of PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD and APPLE PIGS, kids would love making their own apple people, peach people, plum people and fruity dogs after reading this story. Even Mudge will enjoy helping kids who want to start "cooking up reading."

Henry and his Dad enjoy some bonding time when they take Mudge to the market so they can pick out some special goodies. It's Mothers' Day, and it's time to prepare a special meal for Mom -- a fabulously funny lunch! Kids will laugh with delight as the special meal with hilariously named courses is prepared by the family, and might just be inspired to prepare a funny lunch of their own. Henry and Mudge and the Funny Lunch will be read by your child over and over again.

Another Henry and Mudge... we love the series (have everything offered in paperback), but this one wasn't quite up "Henry and Mudge and the Green Time" or "Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat". My son, nevertheless, wants to make me a funny lunch next Mother's Day. If you love the series, get it. If you are new to Henry and Mudge, start with some of the first books in the series.

With this Level 2 focus on independent reading skills, kids will more readily move from beginning reader to enjoying more complex tales with paragraphs and short chapters. What better place to start than with Henry and Mudge & The Funny Lunch, Cynthia Rylant's zany story of kids determined to put together the best Mother's Day lunch ever ? against all odds?color drawings add to the appeal.