Hot-Air Henry

Henry the Siamese Cat #2

by Mary Calhoun, Erick Ingraham (Illustrations)

When that sassy Siamese Henry stows away in a hot-air balloon and goes aloft alone, it is a fur-raising flight indeed. Followers of Henry's cross-country skiing adventure will be equally charmed by his masterey of the wild blue yonder.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Cats, Animals, Adventure, Juvenile

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Mary Louise Huiskamp Wilkins, also known as Mary Calhoun was born on August 3, 1926 in Keokuk, Iowa. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism for the University of Iowa in 1948. She was hired as a reporter for the World-Herald in Omaha, Nebraska after graduation. Her fascination with spirits and folklore of the 19th century led her to write stories about witches, elves, cats, dwarfs, and pixies. She has also published stories in Jack and Jill and Humpty Dumpty magazines. She worked at the Omaha World Herald before marrying fellow journalist Frank Calhoun. Her first book, Making the Mississippi Shout, was published in 1957. She wrote more than 50 children's books during her lifetime including the Katie John series, Julie's Tree, Henry the Sailor Cat, and Cross-Country Cat. She died on October 27, 2015 at the age of 89.

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry is determined to sneak aboard the hot air balloon but the man keeps preventing him, but finally he manages to get in the basket, and accidentally causes it to take of with only Henry in it! I goes on the ride of his life and sees lots of scenery for a journey he will never forget.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember this from Reading Rainbow - boy I enjoyed that TV show!

Henry the cat has quite the adventure. Penny said she liked the story… and Cal fell asleep - so there you have it! I didn’t care for the writing that much but it’s a unique story line and worth a read.

Ages: 3 - 8

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

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[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first of a three book loan from the library hunted down to pacify my son’s recent and unexplainable fascination with Hot Air Balloons. He wants to know how they go up and how they come down and what they look like and how can they “get popped.” Out of the three books available at the local children’s library this was my second favorite. It answered some of these questions but not in a way that was terribly interesting to my son. I don’t even know where he heard of a hot air balloon but he hasn’t stopped quizzing me about them so we researched the library. For a more contemporary tale involving hot air balloons I definitely recommend Nathan’s Balloon Adventure by Lulu Delare.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry has more unusual adventures than most humans. The first time I read one of his stories, he went cross-country skiing. In another story, he tightrope walks. Now, he's taken an accidental hot air balloon trip. As usual, the grumpy father character seems to hate putting up with Henry before begrudgingly accepting Henry's escapades as just part of having a cat. All in all, the book is fun and a little silly. Not bad.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kdgr enjoyed this. It's about a cat that takes a hot air balloon ride. Picked it up because it's a Reading Rainbow book.

I liked it mostly because the cat is naughty (and my son agreed) and now I can use this as an example as to why we can't get a cat.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched this on reading rainbow with one of my clients he really enjoyed it and so did I. I was worried about Henry at first being a cat in a hot air balloon however, he is one smart cat. He goes on quite the adventure.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry, a Siamese cat, has always wanted to fly. One day, he sees his chance to stowaway in a hot air balloon. During his flight he encounters an eagle, geese and power lines. He also learns, thankfully, how to bring the balloon back down to earth.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot-Air Henry is a cat who goes up in a hot air balloon and then has some adventures trying to get back down. It is a good book for inferring. The lexile number is AD530L.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It really shows kids the details into how hot air balloons work. Wonderful illustrations too!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot-Air Henry
Calhoun, Mary
a story of travel

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sassy Siamese cat stows away on a hot air balloon and ends up taking a fur-raising flight across the mountains.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Rainbow: Hot-Air Henry

We read several of this series and enjoyed them. (Cross-Country Cat, High-Wire Henry, Henry the Sailor Cat, Blue-Ribbon Henry)

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great perspective in the pictures. Exciting story.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun rereading this book, although I think I liked the one where he skis better (at least, when I was a kid).

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stowaway cat steals a ride in a hot air balloon. That he came back to the same location is a miracle!

[Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possible conversation topics for kids using this book:
Consequences, Cause and Effect, Focus

*Accessible via Reading Rainbow

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at Storytime on November 28th
Theme: Aviation

One of the longer stories we read this year. The kids were so quiet that the other librarians thought we had finished Storytime! They were engrossed with Henry's adventure and what would happen next.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a fun story of a cat’s voyage in a hot-air balloon.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cat is too smart. He figures out how to fly a hot air balloon. But it's super cute and fun.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Reading Rainbow Classic

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join Henry the Siamese in a high-flying adventure. He's Siamese, I could almost see this happening.

[Anne Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a cat named Henry who jumps into a hot air balloon and flies it for himself.

Henry's character is quite realistic considering he's a cat and both curious and bold natured. I think his typed sound effects could have been improved on, my cats don't make those sounds listed in the book.

The location and scene is very well done, and the artwork is beautiful. I love the contrast between the snowy fields and the bright colored balloon.

The plot does a fine job of following events in a logical order. There does not appear to be any specific lessons as are in some children's books.

Overall I really enjoyed the book. I think the story moved along well and the character mainly suited a cat. I was left looking for more, not so much a specific expectation but for the lack of the unexpected. I think something very unexpected would have been an asset to a book about a stowaway in a hot air balloon.

This is a book I like but don't love for lack of the unexpected and think Henry's cat sounds could have been better developed. Overall I'm giving this a four star meaning that I like it and would read it again.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Air Henry by Mary Calhoun and illustrated by Erick Ingraham is another picture book about Henry the adventurous cat. Henry the cat’s owner is about to go for a hot air balloon ride when he tells Henry he can not go in the balloon. When the man isn’t in the basket, Henry attempts to stowaway but ends up in the basket alone as the hot air balloon takes off. From there, Henry’s shenanigans begin. Will he be able to land the balloon? Calhoun’s writing is descriptive and will captivate readers attention as she weaves her story. Alternating between single and double page spreads, the illustrations are interesting and engaging. They have possibly been created with watercolor. Hot Air Henry is a great addition to a cat story time or a fun read aloud when learning about different types of transportation.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the illustrations. The story is lacking.

[Synthia Salomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated by Symphony (age 4).

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventurous story of a cat stowing away in a hot air balloon. 4 stars!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tail took unexpected turns but ended happily. Exactly what I needed

[C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chloe is currently obsessed with hot air balloons (ever since a fun trip to a hot air balloon rally this summer) and so she loves this book. It has become a bedtime staple lately.

It receives two stars because of her love for it.

If it was my choice, it would receive one or zero. The punctuation errors alone are enough to drive me half out of my mind even if the story weren't artificially lengthened and quite boring to me. Honestly, how many incorrect uses of the comma can exist in one tome?

At three, Chloe is quickly learning that I am a grammar tyrant.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This particular book has a dramatic climax where Henry has to keep the balloon afloat but has an angry goose making things worse.

Erick Ingraham's illustrations are wonderful. They're the right balance of realistic and humorous.

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[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Siamese cat accidently goes up in a hot-air balloon and has an adventure.