Henry's Awful Mistake

Henry the Duck

by Robert M. Quackenbush

Henry the Duck sure gets himself into some sticky situations! Just when he thinks dinner is almost ready, he spots an ant in the house. Children and parents alike will love following disaster-prone Henry through his adventures in cooking, cleverly written and illustrated by Robert Quackenbush.

Don't forget to snatch up the other three books in the Henry the Duck Series: Henry's Important Date, Henry Goes West, and Henry Babysits.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Animals, Cooking, Juvenile

46 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1981

About the author

Author/Artist/Educator Robert Quackenbush has written and illustrated over 200 books for young readers including his popular Miss Mallard Mysteries, which have been made into animated films for children's worldwide television programming by Cinar (now Cookie Jar Entertainment) that are showing in 70 countries. His books have won many awards and citations including an Edgar Allen Poe Special Award for Best Juvenile Mystery, a Gradiva Award, and a gold medal from the Holland Society of New York for distinction in art and literature by a member of the society. He is a frequent visiting author at schools and libraries giving programs to instill children with a love of books and reading. These tours have taken him across the US, including Alaska, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. His art is in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Interior, the U.S. Air Force Museum, and Norton Simon Museum. For further information, visit his Web site www.rquackenbush.com, which also gives his Facebook and Blog addresses.

Reviews

[Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorites when I was a kid. I read this and smiled.

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. Henry the Duck is fixing dinner for his friend when he sees an ant. Yada yada yada, Henry's house is washed away in a flood and he has to move. An ultimate "that escalated quickly" read that I think will amuse children and entertain adults who have ever had a terrible day like Henry's. A new personal favorite.

[Ruth Soz · Rating 5 out of 5]

He came to our school for Authors in April. I remember getting his autograph and being in total awe.

[Hayley Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book that make you laugh!

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book. My kids loved it and I loved reading it to them. This is one they asked me to read over and over.

[Wayne Dunshee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a book I enjoyed reading over and over to my kids. I saved it for my grand kids and I am enjoying it again. A simple story of focusing on the important things. Funny illustrations.

[Brenda-Jean Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Quackenbush(1980) While Henry the Duck is preparing dinner in anticipation of his friend Clara's visit, he sees an ant and is distressed at the thought of what Clara might think. In his efforts to rid the kitchen of the ant, he progressively destroys his whole home. In the end, Henry has a second chance to invite Clara over for dinner. This time, when he sees an ant, he wisely chooses to ignore it.
What an adorable story line, with a moral that is relevant to children of all ages! There are times in life when the best choice is to look the other way, rather than obsess over little things.
Henry's Awful Mistake was so popular, it led to 6 more Henry the Duck books by author Robert Quackenbush, three-time winner of the American Flag Institute Award for outstanding contributions to children's literature, with 110 titles to his credit.
I recommend it as a read-aloud for PK-2nd, independent reading for 1st-3rd graders.

[Amanda Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a little girl, so it only makes sense that my oldest son would love it too. We have been reading and rereading it a whole bunch this week. I think this book is the reason why I like situational comedy that is kind of painful (i.e., The Office) so much as an adult: No matter how hard poor Henry tries, he just can't catch a break. Fun and an easy read, with lots of room for discussion with an almost five year old.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another childhood favorite! My parent's actually just came to visit and brought it with them for my little brother to read, so it was a walk down memory lane to see it again. Love the story. So funny.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Henry. His "awful" "mistake" was an escalating series of entirely understandable decision that go dramatically amiss. He did not deserve what happened. I would've liked the book better with a different, less accusatory, title.

[Daleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the books on the shelf for my younger sisters, but that doesn't mean that I don't like it! It makes me laugh... I love the illustrations and I love reading it with my sisters even more. ;) Definitely read it!

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one my great-grandmother gave to me. Great book!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry really does make an awful mistake. He quite literally destroys his house to remove an ant.

The over-the-top description of how events unfolded is well worth reading.

[Budgie&DomoFan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book, I found this entertaining.

[Tobinsfavorite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a good beginning reader, and my son and I both thought it was pretty funny. I'm going to go get some more Henry books for him.

[Micah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a childrens book. I wouldn't ask very much of it, but I have always enjoyed reading it. It takes about 5 minutes to get through it if you study out the pictures.

[Jessica Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute "don't sweat the small stuff" kind of book that is still as relevant and entertaining in adulthood as it was during my childhood.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute story. Teaches you to not to lose your mind or go crazy over the little things

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny. Ridiculous, but funny and human, even if the main character is a duck.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one definitely held the four-year-old's interest.

[Shiloah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable but cute!

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read by Mac Barnett on IG 7/11/20

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Henry the Duck invited his friend Clara over for supper. All day he chopped, stewed, and stirred to make a fine meal. Just as he was about done, he saw an ant in his kitchen.

Premise/plot: What will Henry do when he sees an ant in the kitchen?! Can readers predict what will happen next as Henry faces down his nemesis?! Maybe. Maybe not. But chances off it will keep readers smiling.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved this one. I did. I could so relate to Henry and his predicament. I have felt just like Henry—in over my head. When you’re in situations like this, it is anything but funny. But afterwards, well, you just have to laugh and laugh hard. I laughed with this one. Then I shared it with my mom. I would love to share it with my dad too. No matter how young or old, this book might lead to a grin or two.

Text: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Total: 10/10

[Lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another one of my children's favorite books. Henry's troubles started with an ant, and I mean one ant. He didn't want his friend Clara to think his house was dirty. Henry was so worried about what Clara would think, he destroyed his house trying to get the ant and had to move. Once in the new house he asked Clara over again, and guess who was in the new house, the ant , but Henry looked the other way. Comical and fun for beginner readers.


Learning Experience:
After reading this this story in large/small group discuss with the children other ways Henry could of solved the problem of getting rid of his one ant. Another way I thought to be creative is to draw Henry's house and follow the trail of the ant. The house could be a maze and see where the ant went. Either use crayon or pencil to follow the trail, or a concrete item could be a toy ant to use instead.

[Keidra Polite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry saw an ant crawling up a pipe and hit it with a hammer. He missed the ant, but bust a pipe. The whole house flooded. When he got his new house, he saw another ant and kept on walking. This book teaches children to learn from your mistakes. If you do something wrong it is okay, just do not do it again.

[Erin Sandberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

My ultimate favorite children's book. Henry the goose is cooking dinner for his lady friend Clara, when he sees an ant in his kitchen. He doesn't want Clara to think he's untidy, so he basically tears the entire house apart trying to find this ant.

[Abby Nall · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my and my brothers' favorite books as kids. My grandmother had the only copy we knew of and one of our favorite parts of visiting her was gathering around to laugh at Henry's foolishness. I'm trying to get hands on a copy for my daughter now.

[elissa]

Can't find this in any libraries nearby.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack LOVES this book.

[Courtney Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book sence I was six years old. Its a great book. I always liked seeing how one problem added to another, till his house was gone.