I Don't Like to Read

Henry

by Nancy Carlson

After receiving extra help from his family members and teachers at school, Henry's first grade experience turns into something extraordinary when he is finally able to read in front of the entire class!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Fiction, Storytime, 1st Grade, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 5 year old also doesn't like to read, so this was perfect for us. And she even read some of the words in it!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Don't Like to Read by Nancy Carlson is one of several books about the school adventures of Henry the mouse. Henry likes most things about first grade, except reading. His teacher discovers that it's because Henry can't read, and gets him extra help at school. Henry also receives help at home. When Henry and his little brother Pete really want to know how a story ends, Henry tries reading it, and successfully reads the book, and another, to his little brother!

The text is simple, with some repetition. The simple illustrations and humor really carry this story, with extra details not mentioned in the story, such as cheese wallpaper in Henry's house, and the use of sight word cards at school. Henry's expressions are spot on in showing his emotions.

While this bibliotherapy story may not be read by lots of beginning readers, the book shows that endurance, practice, and motivation can result in learning a skill, in this case reading. It would be a good story to read in K through second grade classes, for its positive message and for its look at how some individuals learn differently.

For ages 4 to 7, frustration, reading motivation, practice, enduarance themes, and for fans of Henry the mouse and Nancy Carlson.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

While our girls love love love reading time, they are just learning to read themselves and you can see their frustration at times. They complain that they cannot read yet, and I try so hard to explain that it's a lifelong process, that even Mama has to look up words (and how to pronounce them) at times. This is a great book that shows that, with practice and patience, even hesitant readers can learn to love to read.

[Jennesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to introduce reading and how fun it can be. When Henry started practicing at home and got help from others, he really started to pick it up. That is a great learning tool, when someone needs extra help everyone in the classroom pitches in to help that student, no matter what the subject. This also helps build self-esteem but if not used properly can hurt their self-esteem as well.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really good to read to a child who struggles with learning how to read!

[Charelle Shipman-Edmondson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the message behind the book. A lot of kids don't like to read, and they find the words too hard to understand at first. I loved how the author introduced that it's okay to get help with reading as some kids at school and after school do get extra help with their reading.

Love the end , and how Henry changed throughout the story.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about a mouse who doesn't like to read, but we discover that it's just because he needs a little extra help and instruction. When he gets that and a little extra confidence, he learns that he loves to read!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to two groups of Kindergartners who came into the library for a tour today. It's a good story to help them figure out if any actually don't like reading or if they're just struggling with learning and need some additional help.

All of Nancy's Henry books are pretty cute.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry Jones is starting first grade. When he is called on by the teacher to read aloud, he freezes. His teacher discovers he can't read. She gets him extra help, and this builds his confidences and goes on to read and feel good about it.

[eb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Pretty transparent in terms of message.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute book is about a first grader who doesn't like to read. He learns all about the alphabet and how to read and then LOVES to read. Good fun for littles!

[Tina Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carlson, N. (2007). I Don't Like to Read! New York, NY: Penguin Young Readers Group.

No review source necessary.

Picture Book Soak. (One I really liked.)


This book tells a story of an adorable little mouse named Henry who does not like to read. After his teacher takes him aside to ask why he doesn’t like to read, he explains that the words and letters are all jumbled and don’t make any sense to him. Henry’s teacher spends extra time with him and he tries, but still feels discouraged. Eventually, he starts to feel more confident and one night, while his babysitter was reading him a story, she got a phone call right when it got to the best part! He was so anxious to discover the ending that he tried to read it himself, and succeeded! I just loved this story because I feel like many students can relate to the frustrations of learning to read, especially if they have a disability that makes reading even more challenging. This book can show students that if they don’t give up, they can learn to read just like Henry. Perfect to use to show children they are not alone in their struggles and there is hope.

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK OVERVIEW:

This is one of several books about Henry the mouse and his school day adventures. This book - I Don't Like to Read! - is about just what it says. However, with a little extra help and some motivation, too, Henry soon finds that he does want to read.

MY REVIEW:

The name caught my attention right away and I was not disappointed by this book. We also enjoyed reading other books in this series to help set the stage for who Henry was and his school struggle. This one is a simple and fun way to start a conversation with your kids about reading or not reading; especially with a child who also may not want to read. I appreciated the way it addressed the struggle without making a big deal about it and then in the end showing how Henry, with a little extra work, learned how to read and then could enjoy it.

[Bonnie Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks about students that are having trouble reading and what they can do to make themselves better readers. In this story Henry does not like to read at all and it doesn't help that his classmates are all exceptional readers. Henry begins to shy away from reading until his family and teacher step in and help him practice his words. Gradually, more words become more familiar and Henry feels more comfortable reading. One night, his babysitter is reading to his brother and him and she has a phone call that leaves the boys in the middle of their story! Who else is able to read and finish the book but Henry! Henry gradually works up the courage and reads in a clear voice to his little brother out loud! After reading out loud Henry realizes he is ready to read more and in front of his class!

[Samantha Hagler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book about a young mouse named Henry who has started the first grade. Henry loves almost everything about first grade, except for reading. Everyone in his class loves to read, except him. As he begins to get extra help at school and home, Henry discovers that he loves reading!

This book would be a perfect fit for a first grade class. Reading is so important and I'm sure many kids can relate to Henry. This book may spark a students interest in reading and get them to love it just as Henry begins too. Reading is all around us and students have to see the importance in it before some of them really catch on.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a first grade mouse named Henry. Though he likes to be read to at home and he enjoys story hour at school, he claims that he doesn't like to read. The teacher soon discovers that Henry is a struggling reader and gives him extra help and encouragement. After some time and increased skills, Henry becomes a more confident reader and even volunteers to read the lunch menu at school.
This is a good book to help struggling readers become self-aware but it is also a book that could help classmates become more empathetic. This is a must for all first-grade classes and Title i reading teachers.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

We checked this out of the library this week because of the title, not really because of the lesson or the character even though we have read a few Henry books.
The illustrations are fun, the text simple, and the story easy to understand for even the youngest toddlers I think. I don't think Julia especially liked the Henry character, not enough to keep asking for those books but she enjoyed this well enough.
She goes through periods of not wanting to read also so I think she could somewhar relate. I doubt this would actually push a non-reader to read but hey, the hope is there.

[Alyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit I didn't like the illustrations for this book. The story itself though is good and I'm sure there are kids that can relate to it. In this book Henry is a first grader who doesn't like to read because he doesn't know how to. It's hard for him to try and sound out the letters and words so he avoids it by not reading at all. Once he starts trying though, he gets the hang of it and as he gets better he discovers he does like to read. Now, if only it were that easy for everyone without guidance from someone who does know how to read.

[Inger Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it shows that it is okay to need extra help for reading, or for any other problem that the students may be facing. It shows how reading takes practice and sometimes that means a little more practice than others. From the teacher perspective, it's a nice reminder that not all students learn at the same rate and that's okay; we, as teachers, need to remember that when we are teaching our students how to read. This book would be good for students anywhere from kindergarten to second grade.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction book for a first grade class. The book covers a short span in the life of Henry who is afraid of reading. He does not read well and is nervous to read aloud in front of others so he claims that he just doesn't like to read. Mr. McCarthy encouraged Henry to keep trying so he did. Henry slowly was able to read words, then sentences, and finally books! The next time Mr. McCarty asked someone to read aloud in class Henry raised his hand. This book is very relatable and shows children to persist when struggling with reading and writing.

[Tamra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea. The presentation was okay - the writing was kinda meh, but the visual representation of letters coming together into words was well done. The art, however, wasn't my favorite.

I think if you have a child in Kindergarten or 1st grade who is struggling to read, this would be a great book for him or her. It's encouraging and positive.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book! Our 5 year-old had us read it to her again and again. She is just starting to learn to read some small words, but really isn't into the whole reading/sounding out the words process. "I Don't Like To Read" is the perfect book to help motivate reluctant readers, by showing them the practical value of knowing how to read all by your self!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple book aimed at first graders that addresses big issues like getting extra help at school and disliking a subject because it is more difficult. A good way to spark discussion about things that trouble kids in school.

[Rebecca Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great book to read to the class, especially if you have some students who do not like to read by themselves. It is a great motivating tool that will get them to want to learn more and read lots!

[Michelle White]

This book would be good to use for younger students who don't like reading because they would relate to it and maybe it would help them learn to like reading. This book is in the Paoli Public Library.

[Codie Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning to read can be hard, and Henry hated to read. It didn't make sense to him and was so hard. He got extra help and soon it made sense to him. He started to like reading. He even read books to his little brother.

This is a cute story about not giving up on reading.

[Stacy Kirkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry says that he doesn't like to read, but that's just because he can't make sense of the letters! With some extra help from his teachers and schoolmates, Henry has the chance to become a lover of reading. He saves the day when he is able to read a book to his little brother.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

We can all like to read if we keep trying and learn how!

[Konny]

the most thrilling book of our generation

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

First grader Henry doesn't like to read. Through practice and some techniques he learns to read and comes to enjoys it.