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Puppy Mudge
Puppy Mudge Wants to Play: Ready-to-Read Pre-Level 1
Henry wants to read his book, but Puppy Mudge has other ideas. He wants to play! Henry really wants to read,, but how can he resist his big playful puppy?
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Rylant
513 books859 followersAn author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.
Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.
from bookrags.com
Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.
from bookrags.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 29, 2024
Hello, everyone! Today, I'm going to tell you about a super fun book called "Puppy Mudge Wants to Play." It's all about a boy named Henry and his adorable puppy, Mudge.
So, Henry is all excited to read his book, and he's really looking forward to it. But guess what? Puppy Mudge has a different plan – he wants to play! Oh boy, that silly puppy just can't sit still.
Now, Henry is faced with a big problem. He really, really wants to read his book, but how can he say no to his playful puppy? I mean, who can resist those puppy eyes and wagging tail, right?
The story is super funny because Henry tries to be serious about reading, but Puppy Mudge keeps doing all sorts of playful things to get his attention. It's like a big game between Henry and his puppy friend.
One of my favorite parts is when Puppy Mudge tries to grab Henry's book with his little paws. Can you imagine a tiny puppy trying to take a book away? It's so cute and funny!
The pictures in the book are really colorful, and they show all the funny things Puppy Mudge does to make Henry play with him. The illustrations make the story even more interesting and fun to read.
In the end, you'll have to find out if Henry gives in to Puppy Mudge's playful antics or if he manages to read his book after all. It's a little surprise that you'll love!
I think "Puppy Mudge Wants to Play" is a great book for kids who like funny stories and cute puppies. It's easy to read, and you'll laugh a lot while reading about Henry and Puppy Mudge's playful adventures. So, if you want a book that makes you smile, this one is definitely a good choice!
So, Henry is all excited to read his book, and he's really looking forward to it. But guess what? Puppy Mudge has a different plan – he wants to play! Oh boy, that silly puppy just can't sit still.
Now, Henry is faced with a big problem. He really, really wants to read his book, but how can he say no to his playful puppy? I mean, who can resist those puppy eyes and wagging tail, right?
The story is super funny because Henry tries to be serious about reading, but Puppy Mudge keeps doing all sorts of playful things to get his attention. It's like a big game between Henry and his puppy friend.
One of my favorite parts is when Puppy Mudge tries to grab Henry's book with his little paws. Can you imagine a tiny puppy trying to take a book away? It's so cute and funny!
The pictures in the book are really colorful, and they show all the funny things Puppy Mudge does to make Henry play with him. The illustrations make the story even more interesting and fun to read.
In the end, you'll have to find out if Henry gives in to Puppy Mudge's playful antics or if he manages to read his book after all. It's a little surprise that you'll love!
I think "Puppy Mudge Wants to Play" is a great book for kids who like funny stories and cute puppies. It's easy to read, and you'll laugh a lot while reading about Henry and Puppy Mudge's playful adventures. So, if you want a book that makes you smile, this one is definitely a good choice!
July 31, 2018
A fun, silly book for beginning readers. Colorful, animated illustrations.
January 28, 2019
Very simple text with repetition ("Aw, Mudge", "Mudge wants to play"). I like how the dog behaves exactly how my attention-seeking dog would have, haha.
June 21, 2019
Simple, sweet and fun early reader. Recommended for kids ages 4-7.
November 25, 2025
Simple, sweet, she's still a fan of Mudge books.
December 19, 2016
Puppy Mudge Wants to Play, which is a Pre-Level One Ready-to-Read book, shines the spotlight on the friendship between a boy, Henry, and his dog, Mudge, back when Mudge was a puppy. (Henry and Mudge, as you might know, is a popular Level 2 Easy Reader series, which also has a spin-off series entitled Annie and Snowball.)
Henry is trying to read, but Mudge wants attention, so he starts making mischief. He pulls at Henry’s socks, chews up his shoelaces, and even sits on Henry until finally, the boy gives in and plays a game with Mudge. This is basically the exact same plot as appears in Happy and Honey, but Cynthia Rylant tells her story in a slightly different way. In Happy and Honey, the young kitten’s excitement comes from her playful nature, whereas Mudge becomes restless because Henry is reading, something Mudge is not able to do. Since Henry is a human being who can speak, Rylant also includes some simple dialogue in her story, which gives the reader exposure to a different type of sentence, with its own rules and punctuation. Rylant also portrays her dog character as the playful one, while Honey the cat was the playful party in Happy and Honey.
For me, Puppy Mudge Wants to Play is kind of a middle of the road easy reader. It’s perfectly well-written and suits its intended audience, but it’s also kind of predictable and much less interesting or engaging than the parent series. This is partly because the original Henry and Mudge books are much longer and allow for more character development, but I also think the author is sort of relying on the reader’s familiarity with the other series as a means for understanding the relationship between Henry and his dog. That isn’t a problem for the adult reader who can easily read both series, but kids just starting out without all that context might not find a reason to get excited about either character based on just this story.
Still, though, kids with big brothers and sisters who have read Henry and Mudge books will be glad to have one they can read themselves, and dog lovers will fall in love with Mudge, either because they recognize his behavior in their own dogs, or wish they could have a dog just like him.
Henry is trying to read, but Mudge wants attention, so he starts making mischief. He pulls at Henry’s socks, chews up his shoelaces, and even sits on Henry until finally, the boy gives in and plays a game with Mudge. This is basically the exact same plot as appears in Happy and Honey, but Cynthia Rylant tells her story in a slightly different way. In Happy and Honey, the young kitten’s excitement comes from her playful nature, whereas Mudge becomes restless because Henry is reading, something Mudge is not able to do. Since Henry is a human being who can speak, Rylant also includes some simple dialogue in her story, which gives the reader exposure to a different type of sentence, with its own rules and punctuation. Rylant also portrays her dog character as the playful one, while Honey the cat was the playful party in Happy and Honey.
For me, Puppy Mudge Wants to Play is kind of a middle of the road easy reader. It’s perfectly well-written and suits its intended audience, but it’s also kind of predictable and much less interesting or engaging than the parent series. This is partly because the original Henry and Mudge books are much longer and allow for more character development, but I also think the author is sort of relying on the reader’s familiarity with the other series as a means for understanding the relationship between Henry and his dog. That isn’t a problem for the adult reader who can easily read both series, but kids just starting out without all that context might not find a reason to get excited about either character based on just this story.
Still, though, kids with big brothers and sisters who have read Henry and Mudge books will be glad to have one they can read themselves, and dog lovers will fall in love with Mudge, either because they recognize his behavior in their own dogs, or wish they could have a dog just like him.
December 17, 2013
This book is about Mudge wanting to play with Henry, but Henry is busy reading. Mudge finds all different ways to distract Henry until Henry finally decides to play with him.
This book is simple and easy to read. It would be a good book for a child that is beginning to read.
The illustrations are simple, but fun. They make the story more enjoyable to read.
I love Henry and Mudge books. They were some of the first books that I was able to read on my own. I would definitely have this book, and many other Henry and Mudge books, in my classroom library if I was a first grade teacher. I wouldn't use this a read aloud though because it is too simple.
This book is simple and easy to read. It would be a good book for a child that is beginning to read.
The illustrations are simple, but fun. They make the story more enjoyable to read.
I love Henry and Mudge books. They were some of the first books that I was able to read on my own. I would definitely have this book, and many other Henry and Mudge books, in my classroom library if I was a first grade teacher. I wouldn't use this a read aloud though because it is too simple.
June 17, 2009
Great for my 5 year old who has just started reading on her own. Lots of sight words and lots of words she can sound out.
July 24, 2009
Great book for beginning readers. Repetitive words, simple narrative and a fun story for young children. Our girls love the Henry and Mudge stories; actually they like everything by Cynthia Rylant!
August 31, 2010
Puppy Mudge Wants to Play is a cute story about the things a little puppy does to get his owner's attention. It is a beginner accelerated reader book.
August 12, 2011
The puppy took the boy's sock off. - Felicity
February 13, 2013
Good book for beginners. A lot of words that are repeated with a story that is easy to follow.
September 26, 2014
Henry is taught a valuable lesson about the responsibilities of pet ownership.
March 6, 2021
The read-along is an ALA Notable Children's Recording, 2013.
June 21, 2015
Henry wants to read his book, but Puppy Mudge has other ideas. He wants to play! Henry really wants to read,, but how can he resist his big playful puppy?
June 3, 2018
8/9/16 Elena read to me.
6/1/18 Read with Julia
6/1/18 Read with Julia
December 29, 2016
Gift from Santa for the boys - Christmas 2016
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews