What do you think?
Rate this book
Henry and Mudge #20
Henry and Mudge and Annie's Perfect Pet
Henry and his dog Mudge want to find the perfect pet for his cousin Annie in this twentieth Ready-to-Read book of their adventures.
Annie needs a pet that's soft and dry and doesn't fly—one that's quiet and careful, just like Annie. What could that be?
Annie needs a pet that's soft and dry and doesn't fly—one that's quiet and careful, just like Annie. What could that be?
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Cynthia Rylant
387 books877 followersCynthia 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 28, 2017
I enjoyed this book because I like pets. I also enjoyed this book because I liked the part when Annie got a pet. I also enjoyed this book because I liked the name Annie named her bunny. The name was: Snowball.
October 19, 2017
I have absolutely loved the Henry and Mudge series since I was a child. I remember reading these books over and over with my mom and brother before snuggling into bed each night.
These stories are adorable, have a great sense of humor, and are filled with rich illustrations. Rylant always delivers an interesting story of Henry and Mudge's adventures that keeps the reader entertained and interested. Stevenson illustrates beautifully with lots of intriguing colors, and while the pictures are animated, they take on a life-like quality. Each story in the series is enjoyable to read, and in my experience children have loved these books.
The stories are the perfect level for early elementary grades. They would be a perfect independent reading option for children in first grade. As I paged through this story, I noticed plenty of adjectives, verbs, and nouns. Their presence in this fun story would be a great way to begin teaching these concepts to young students. The story is also repetitive which is nice for new readers. The story is simple and easy to follow, but is also of a longer length and includes a slightly more complex vocabulary. This is perfect for new readers who are building up to reading more difficult stories and chapter books. Lastly, the books could be used to teach problem solving and predictions. The challenges Henry and Mudge encounter are relatively easy to solve, so they would be great for prompting the child to describe what they do, or what they believe will happen next.
Overall, I highly recommend the Henry and Mudge series to parents and teachers of young children. The stories will captivate a child all the while keeping the parent entertained. The Henry and Mudge series is a wonderful series to add to your children's books collection!!
These stories are adorable, have a great sense of humor, and are filled with rich illustrations. Rylant always delivers an interesting story of Henry and Mudge's adventures that keeps the reader entertained and interested. Stevenson illustrates beautifully with lots of intriguing colors, and while the pictures are animated, they take on a life-like quality. Each story in the series is enjoyable to read, and in my experience children have loved these books.
The stories are the perfect level for early elementary grades. They would be a perfect independent reading option for children in first grade. As I paged through this story, I noticed plenty of adjectives, verbs, and nouns. Their presence in this fun story would be a great way to begin teaching these concepts to young students. The story is also repetitive which is nice for new readers. The story is simple and easy to follow, but is also of a longer length and includes a slightly more complex vocabulary. This is perfect for new readers who are building up to reading more difficult stories and chapter books. Lastly, the books could be used to teach problem solving and predictions. The challenges Henry and Mudge encounter are relatively easy to solve, so they would be great for prompting the child to describe what they do, or what they believe will happen next.
Overall, I highly recommend the Henry and Mudge series to parents and teachers of young children. The stories will captivate a child all the while keeping the parent entertained. The Henry and Mudge series is a wonderful series to add to your children's books collection!!
May 27, 2025
Annie's fourth appearance, I think.
She's recently moved next door to her cousin Henry and plays with Mudge every day. She wishes she had a dog too, but there would be no one to take care of one while she's at school, as her single father has to work.
I don't remember the series ever addressing what Henry's parents do to afford their house, but it sounds like he has a stay at home parent rather than dual incomes.
For some mysterious reason, the perfect pet for Annie can't be a cat, rather it's a bunny she names Snowball.
Having a pet qualifies her for a spinoff series, which ran to 13 books.
She's recently moved next door to her cousin Henry and plays with Mudge every day. She wishes she had a dog too, but there would be no one to take care of one while she's at school, as her single father has to work.
I don't remember the series ever addressing what Henry's parents do to afford their house, but it sounds like he has a stay at home parent rather than dual incomes.
For some mysterious reason, the perfect pet for Annie can't be a cat, rather it's a bunny she names Snowball.
Having a pet qualifies her for a spinoff series, which ran to 13 books.
August 22, 2019
In The Perfect Pet, Annie has dreamed of a pet. Henry is sorry for Annie since she does have a pet, because her dad has to work all day.
Will they find a pet that’s just right for Annie — one that doesn’t fly, scare her, a pet that’s not too wet, nor too dry? Will they find a pet or will they fail on this adventure?
This book had a good amount of tension, but still not enough for me.
Will they find a pet that’s just right for Annie — one that doesn’t fly, scare her, a pet that’s not too wet, nor too dry? Will they find a pet or will they fail on this adventure?
This book had a good amount of tension, but still not enough for me.
January 2, 2019
Henry and Mudge are back, and together they try to help Henry's cousin Annie select the perfect pet. Henry's parents take them all to the pet store, and Annie picks the perfect pet, a rabbit that she names snowball.
March 1, 2017
This book is around a first grade level. Students would enjoy this book if they like pets.
December 1, 2018
We sure enjoy the Henry and Mudge series and it's characters.
September 11, 2019
Easy, quick read with short chapters.
Read
January 12, 2021In the first week of 2021, my mom and I read this as a bedtime story.
January 28, 2021
Annie is in love with Mudge so she needs to get a pet of her own. Snowball is a bunny who fits the bill.
June 6, 2021
When Linc excitedly reads aloud to me, it's a winner.
December 13, 2021
Basic “find the perfect pet for me” plot
November 19, 2022
I love how creative and wholesome this author is. In this particular book, Annie's dad makes a beautiful and whimsical house for Annie's new pet. The details are so cute.
May 11, 2015
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!!
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!!
May 14, 2008
(CIP) Although Henry’s cousin Annie likes his dog Mudge, when she gets her own pet she decides that a bunny will be perfect for her.
(Claudia) Another pleasant easy reader set in the gentle, all-white world of Henry and Mudge and their families, with enough action – set amongst Stevenson’s colorful, expressive illustrations – to keep a beginning reader engaged through to the end of the last “chapter.” Gr. 1-2.
(SLJ) "A quiet and careful offering that is sure to please."
(Hornbook) "Cheerily illustrated, this familiar tale holds no surprises, but fans of the series will appreciate [the way the story works out]."
(Claudia) Another pleasant easy reader set in the gentle, all-white world of Henry and Mudge and their families, with enough action – set amongst Stevenson’s colorful, expressive illustrations – to keep a beginning reader engaged through to the end of the last “chapter.” Gr. 1-2.
(SLJ) "A quiet and careful offering that is sure to please."
(Hornbook) "Cheerily illustrated, this familiar tale holds no surprises, but fans of the series will appreciate [the way the story works out]."
March 27, 2015
This is a level 2 "reading together' book. Words weren't super hard nor were the sentences; so as long as a merging reader had help they could probably read this book.
Henry and his dog Mudge loves Henry's cousin; they are all best friends. But Annie doesn't have a pet of her own. But her Dad has to work a lot and so no one is home much. But Henry and Mudge are bound and determined to figure out a loving pet for Annie. And working together with Henrys parent's they do find the perfect pet for Annie and a best friend for Henry and Mudge.
Henry and his dog Mudge loves Henry's cousin; they are all best friends. But Annie doesn't have a pet of her own. But her Dad has to work a lot and so no one is home much. But Henry and Mudge are bound and determined to figure out a loving pet for Annie. And working together with Henrys parent's they do find the perfect pet for Annie and a best friend for Henry and Mudge.
October 6, 2013
I really enjoy the Henry and Mudge Series and Annie's Perfect Pet has the same wonderful illustrations as the others. I found this particular book seems more suited to girls than boys although anyone who has read the series would probably enjoy this one as well. Because of the higher vocabulary I would recommend this for seven and eight years old.
April 7, 2014
We've been reading lots of Henry and Mudge along with Mr. Putter and Tabby, and this week's installment seems like it might become a favorite. I think they particularly liked it in part because they already knew all the characters at this point...but finding a perfect pet for Annie was also a fun topic. Oh, and they laughed at Henry's father trying to think of a pet that could tap dance!
September 12, 2023
Annie wishes she had a pet like Henry has Mudge. Henry's parents brainstorm ideas of the perfect pet for Annie, and finally Henry's mother solves the problem: a bunny! Enter into the series Snowball, who pretty much never adds anything to the plot but is cute and perfect for Annie. I like the positive cousin relationship.
February 10, 2009
Cute story about matching a person with the perfect pet for them. Great book for beginning readers! Our girls just adore these books; we've read this one a few times and they always ask for a bunny after we read it.
March 21, 2013
I like Rylant's use of adjectives ( ex. big, drooly, soft, warm, etc.) and stylistic writing (using commas, as well as and multiple times in a series) in this book. I also liked that she divided the story into mini chapters/sections. This method prepares children for chapter books.
Read
May 20, 2008E Ryl
March 21, 2009
MCL. It was funny because the dog was dancing with Henry's father. But dogs cannot dance and they only crawl. Jaeger says they only sit and stand.
February 11, 2010
I liked the illustrations.
November 10, 2012
I think this was my favourite Henry and Mudge book.
April 9, 2011
This is a great book for beginner readers! This book is also perfect for a lesson on how to use the table of contents.
April 3, 2013
Cute story in which Henry and Annie search the pet store for the perfect pet for her. She ends up choosing a bunny!
November 10, 2014
Henry's next door neighbor Annie loves big ol' Mudge, but she wants her own pet, so Henry has the perfect solution: a bunny named Snowball. A wondrous treat for Mudge fans.
April 24, 2014
Somehow I see my daughter wanting to getting a bunny now. YIKES!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews