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Henry and the Chalk Dragon
"A perfect title to hand to young readers looking for laughs along with a wild and crazy adventure." --School Library Journal (Starred) "Altogether, a delicious face-off between forces of conformity and creativity run amok, spiced with offbeat names as well as insights expressed with eloquent simplicity." --Booklist (Starred) In the town of Squashbuckle, just about anything can happen, and when Henry Penwhistle draws a mighty Chalk Dragon on his door, the dragon does what Henry least expects--it runs away. Now Henry's art is out in the world for everyone to see, and it's causing trouble for him and his schoolmates Oscar and Jade. If they don't stop it, the entire town could be doomed! To vanquish the threat of a rampaging Chalk Dragon, Sir Henry Penwhistle, Knight of La Muncha Elementary School, is going to have to do more than just catch his art--he's going to have to let his imagination run wild. And THAT takes bravery.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2017
199 people are currently reading
2021 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Trafton
16 books231 followersJENNIFER TRAFTON is the author of The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic, which was a nominee for Tennessee’s Volunteer State Book Award and the National Homeschool Book award. Henry and the Chalk Dragon arose from her lifelong love of art and her personal quest for the courage to be an artist. When she’s not writing or drawing, she teaches creative writing classes and workshops in a variety of schools, libraries, and homeschool groups, as well as online classes to kids around the world. She lives in a 150-year-old farmhouse in Nashville, Tennessee, along with her husband, an energetic border collie, a miniature rooster, an assortment of chickens and ducks, and a ghost who haunts the staircase.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
July 24, 2017
The first book of BookTube-a-thon is complete!!!
Prompt: Finish a book in one day
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway! Thanks, Goodreads! *crowd cheers*
First I forgot about the readathon until an hour after it started; now I've forgotten to mark this book as read until hours after I've finished it. Doing great at this so far, you guys. Watch in awe.
Anyway, random thing about me is that I love middle grade and children's books so. Much. I get sick to death of all the unnecessary drama and romance in YA fantasy or adventure, and when that happens, middle grade always pulls me through.
Except...not this time??? (Gasp from the crowd.)
There was a weird amount of drama in this book. Mainly friendship drama, but still. And it just felt kinda long and weird and...dare I say...boring.
Bullet point list of my thoughts because I don't have the time or patience to say review to come and then write a fuller one later:
-the language and pacing felt really strange for middle grade
-it also felt so?? long??
-I really liked the message (which is about the importance of imagination and creativity no matter what adults think)
-...but it seemed like it went too far???
-example:
"What's four plus two?"
"Orange," he mumbled.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."
"ORANGE."
"Henry, four plus two is not orange. Four and two are numbers, and orange is a color."
"It's the same thing," he whispered.
-math is important kids
-also there were a few weird things about gender that didn't get fully resolved for me but the author tried, i could tell
overall this wasn't as quick of a read as i wanted it to be, but i finished it in less than a day and that's really all i can ask for.
bottom line: wasn't for me but i don't not recommend (and other nonsensical phrasings)
----------------------------
AND SO BOOKTUBE-A-THON BEGINS.
an hour late because I got distracted. BUT IT'S FINE.
Prompt: Finish a book in one day
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway! Thanks, Goodreads! *crowd cheers*
First I forgot about the readathon until an hour after it started; now I've forgotten to mark this book as read until hours after I've finished it. Doing great at this so far, you guys. Watch in awe.
Anyway, random thing about me is that I love middle grade and children's books so. Much. I get sick to death of all the unnecessary drama and romance in YA fantasy or adventure, and when that happens, middle grade always pulls me through.
Except...not this time??? (Gasp from the crowd.)
There was a weird amount of drama in this book. Mainly friendship drama, but still. And it just felt kinda long and weird and...dare I say...boring.
Bullet point list of my thoughts because I don't have the time or patience to say review to come and then write a fuller one later:
-the language and pacing felt really strange for middle grade
-it also felt so?? long??
-I really liked the message (which is about the importance of imagination and creativity no matter what adults think)
-...but it seemed like it went too far???
-example:
"What's four plus two?"
"Orange," he mumbled.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."
"ORANGE."
"Henry, four plus two is not orange. Four and two are numbers, and orange is a color."
"It's the same thing," he whispered.
-math is important kids
-also there were a few weird things about gender that didn't get fully resolved for me but the author tried, i could tell
overall this wasn't as quick of a read as i wanted it to be, but i finished it in less than a day and that's really all i can ask for.
bottom line: wasn't for me but i don't not recommend (and other nonsensical phrasings)
----------------------------
AND SO BOOKTUBE-A-THON BEGINS.
an hour late because I got distracted. BUT IT'S FINE.
March 24, 2017
I love this book. Really, truly, and sincerely love this book. In fact, I am practically jumping out of my skin with excitement as I try to gather my thoughts and explain why this is one of the absolute best read aloud books we have ever read.
I love this book because it is delightful. It is funny. It is tender. It is oh so wholesome. It is really real. It is wildly imaginative. It is deeply empowering. It is tragically necessary for our times.
Lest you think that any of those expressions are clichés, let me respond by saying that maybe that is totally appropriate to this book. You see, this book has a very old soul. This story is telling truths that are old and considered cliché by our culture, but those which are still absolutely true. Tragically, these truths are stuffed down deep inside of us and we have been trained to scorn them.
I follow Jennifer Trafton on Instagram and I have purchased a number of prints from her Etsy shop. She has a very gifted hand and her art is so vibrant that it fills me hope and joy. But I think that her true genius is in her ability to turn a phrase. Not only does Trafton have beautiful things to say, but she writes them in such a way that they roll off the tongue with maximum impact. A bit like the opera singer who can hit all of the high notes without fail, Trafton’s writing has the listening audience laughing, crying, gasping, and shuddering all in the same chapter. Her stories are meant to be read aloud. They delight and entertain while they teach and nurture the reader.
This book is not to be missed.
I love this book because it is delightful. It is funny. It is tender. It is oh so wholesome. It is really real. It is wildly imaginative. It is deeply empowering. It is tragically necessary for our times.
Lest you think that any of those expressions are clichés, let me respond by saying that maybe that is totally appropriate to this book. You see, this book has a very old soul. This story is telling truths that are old and considered cliché by our culture, but those which are still absolutely true. Tragically, these truths are stuffed down deep inside of us and we have been trained to scorn them.
I follow Jennifer Trafton on Instagram and I have purchased a number of prints from her Etsy shop. She has a very gifted hand and her art is so vibrant that it fills me hope and joy. But I think that her true genius is in her ability to turn a phrase. Not only does Trafton have beautiful things to say, but she writes them in such a way that they roll off the tongue with maximum impact. A bit like the opera singer who can hit all of the high notes without fail, Trafton’s writing has the listening audience laughing, crying, gasping, and shuddering all in the same chapter. Her stories are meant to be read aloud. They delight and entertain while they teach and nurture the reader.
This book is not to be missed.
October 16, 2018
2018 Re-read
My mom read this aloud to my whole family, and we enjoyed it very much. ;) There were quite a few giggles over the metaphors, worries over a certain dinosaur, and some thoughtful moments over the themes. I think the octagon might have been our favorite character. ;) I was reminded again to be brave, to tie my shoelaces, and to make something new. <3
Original Review
This book caught me up and flew me along on the back of a frightening, jungle green dragon. I met a little boy wearing raincoat armor, who (much like myself) was bursting with creativity and afraid to let the world see it. I met Jade (the secret agent? alien? poet? knight?), the adorable bus driver Mr. Bruce, a few adults who used to be “superheroes”, and Oscar the scientist with an art of his own. I grinned my head off over the literary references (La Muncha? Pimpernel? Bigger on the inside? Elementary?) and felt Henry’s icy cold (like a popsicle) fear when all his worst nightmares seemed to be coming true. And I cried over the beautiful thing that happened to his chivalry and how he began to think of people. This book warmed my soul and taught me it takes courage to be an artist.
Best quotes (just so you get a sample of this author’s BEAUTIFUL style :D ): “Dragons aren’t scary--well, they are, but they’re a good kind of scary. They’re the kind of scary you want to be scared of. People are the bad kind of scary, he thought. Dragons can only eat you, but people can laugh at you, and that is like being chewed to death by a smile.”
“It’s a dangerous thing to open a door. But that, after all, is the only way to find an adventure.”
“Oscar,” said Henry, gazing up at the circle of blue sky, “if this day were a chocolate-covered peanut, you would be the chocolate.” Oscar grinned. “And you would be the nut.”
Altogether, I loved this fresh, adorable, and brilliant book. (Even just looking up those quotes whetted my appetite for the descriptions and made me bawl like a baby. :P )
(Just a note to parents of small children, some of the action gets pretty intense and there are several fantastical things that happen.)
My mom read this aloud to my whole family, and we enjoyed it very much. ;) There were quite a few giggles over the metaphors, worries over a certain dinosaur, and some thoughtful moments over the themes. I think the octagon might have been our favorite character. ;) I was reminded again to be brave, to tie my shoelaces, and to make something new. <3
Original Review
This book caught me up and flew me along on the back of a frightening, jungle green dragon. I met a little boy wearing raincoat armor, who (much like myself) was bursting with creativity and afraid to let the world see it. I met Jade (the secret agent? alien? poet? knight?), the adorable bus driver Mr. Bruce, a few adults who used to be “superheroes”, and Oscar the scientist with an art of his own. I grinned my head off over the literary references (La Muncha? Pimpernel? Bigger on the inside? Elementary?) and felt Henry’s icy cold (like a popsicle) fear when all his worst nightmares seemed to be coming true. And I cried over the beautiful thing that happened to his chivalry and how he began to think of people. This book warmed my soul and taught me it takes courage to be an artist.
Best quotes (just so you get a sample of this author’s BEAUTIFUL style :D ): “Dragons aren’t scary--well, they are, but they’re a good kind of scary. They’re the kind of scary you want to be scared of. People are the bad kind of scary, he thought. Dragons can only eat you, but people can laugh at you, and that is like being chewed to death by a smile.”
“It’s a dangerous thing to open a door. But that, after all, is the only way to find an adventure.”
“Oscar,” said Henry, gazing up at the circle of blue sky, “if this day were a chocolate-covered peanut, you would be the chocolate.” Oscar grinned. “And you would be the nut.”
Altogether, I loved this fresh, adorable, and brilliant book. (Even just looking up those quotes whetted my appetite for the descriptions and made me bawl like a baby. :P )
(Just a note to parents of small children, some of the action gets pretty intense and there are several fantastical things that happen.)
August 25, 2017
Oh my goodness - what a beautiful romp! This was the most adorable, fun book and the writing style possessed the vital, fresh and charming voice of an old classic.
I loved the explosion of imagination contained in this book - and the message inside it. 'It takes courage to let out your art.' This section hit so close to home I had a few tears in my eyes.
A hilariously fun and sweet read.
I loved the explosion of imagination contained in this book - and the message inside it. 'It takes courage to let out your art.' This section hit so close to home I had a few tears in my eyes.
A hilariously fun and sweet read.
March 24, 2023
4.5 stars
This was so much fun to read! It was imaginative and unique and quite funny!
Characters:
Henry was so fun to read about...his thoughts were just so relatable. I loved the bits of humor and just...yes!
Oscar and Jade was so much fun as well! Oscar had me cracking up because he was so serious...lol...
Themes:
Friendship and what it means to be a true friend and also the bravery it takes to be a creative of any kind whether an artist like Henry or a writer or poet or even a musician...but also the bravery it takes to simply be you!
Language:
N/A
Magic:
A chalk dragon comes to life, but they don't refer to it as magic but instead the power of imagination.
Overall:
I really enjoyed this read...it did get pretty unbelievable and out there towards the end. Like, more so than before...but overall it was really cute and a super sweet story! I'd recommend for anyone 7 and up who is looking for a good read!
This was so much fun to read! It was imaginative and unique and quite funny!
Characters:
Henry was so fun to read about...his thoughts were just so relatable. I loved the bits of humor and just...yes!
Oscar and Jade was so much fun as well! Oscar had me cracking up because he was so serious...lol...
Themes:
Friendship and what it means to be a true friend and also the bravery it takes to be a creative of any kind whether an artist like Henry or a writer or poet or even a musician...but also the bravery it takes to simply be you!
Language:
N/A
Magic:
A chalk dragon comes to life, but they don't refer to it as magic but instead the power of imagination.
Overall:
I really enjoyed this read...it did get pretty unbelievable and out there towards the end. Like, more so than before...but overall it was really cute and a super sweet story! I'd recommend for anyone 7 and up who is looking for a good read!
September 23, 2025
Henry has the imagination I wish I had. I have a pretty wild imagination, but sometimes I just wish I could imagine up wacky, and amazing things and bring those things to life on paper for the first time. It is a beautiful talent some people have that should be cherished and nourished, because it is truly a gift from God. 🫡❤️
August 30, 2023
4.5 Stars
August 30, 2023
"You have to be brave to be an artist." What a cute story!
Language: N/A
Violence: N/A
Magic: Well, it is about a chalk dragon that comes to life, but it isn't really magic, more of the power of imagination.
This was soo cute! Made me want to curl up in a fuzzy blanket with my sketch-book!💖 Henry was so cute, and I related to him a lot! Sharing your art is scary! I loved all the characters really, they were so fun and cute! This was such a fuzzy feeling story about the beauty of art and the power of imagination! I loved every minute ot it, it would have definitely been my favorite as a kid!
As an artist I loved the theme and idea of this book, it was so neat!💖
All ages!
Language: N/A
Violence: N/A
Magic: Well, it is about a chalk dragon that comes to life, but it isn't really magic, more of the power of imagination.
This was soo cute! Made me want to curl up in a fuzzy blanket with my sketch-book!💖 Henry was so cute, and I related to him a lot! Sharing your art is scary! I loved all the characters really, they were so fun and cute! This was such a fuzzy feeling story about the beauty of art and the power of imagination! I loved every minute ot it, it would have definitely been my favorite as a kid!
As an artist I loved the theme and idea of this book, it was so neat!💖
All ages!
June 18, 2017
Henry is an artist, afraid to show his art. In his room, his imagination runs wild and he fills his sketchbook with drawings of all kinds., including a dragon on the chalkboard on the back of his bedroom door. In his room, he is safe. But at school, when his imagination runs wild and he wants to draw laser-eyed bunnies for National Vegetable Week instead of ordinary looking bunnies, traced with a pattern no less, his imagination gets him into trouble. A falling out with his best friend Oscar adds to his load.
But then, the chalk dragon comes to life, leaves his door and chaos ensues. Henry must be brave for the only way to stop the Chalk Dragon is with courage and art.
It's a fun book for kids (and this adult). In a society that relegates art as a waste of time, Henry and The Chalk Dragon show the importance of imagination, friendship, forgiveness, and unintended consequences.
But then, the chalk dragon comes to life, leaves his door and chaos ensues. Henry must be brave for the only way to stop the Chalk Dragon is with courage and art.
It's a fun book for kids (and this adult). In a society that relegates art as a waste of time, Henry and The Chalk Dragon show the importance of imagination, friendship, forgiveness, and unintended consequences.
March 27, 2017
I wish this could be required reading in schools. I read it aloud to my 5 and 8 year old over 2 Saturdays. It would have been faster, but the times we had to stop for laughter were too many to track.
It would be a travesty to minimize this to just a teaching tool. But, it has profound takeaways for both artists and those who may or may not seek to understand them. For kids, that could be the dreamers with artistic gifts, the bullies who mock them, and everyone inbetween.
But Trafton brilliantly pulls that off in a book that is just a blast to read. Whether it be the spelling of the family pet's name, the best friend's scientific creation (I'm being purposefully vague), or the protagonist's spot on views of adults, it's chock full of wit and hilarity.
Buy it for your young readers and get in on the fun, yourself!
It would be a travesty to minimize this to just a teaching tool. But, it has profound takeaways for both artists and those who may or may not seek to understand them. For kids, that could be the dreamers with artistic gifts, the bullies who mock them, and everyone inbetween.
But Trafton brilliantly pulls that off in a book that is just a blast to read. Whether it be the spelling of the family pet's name, the best friend's scientific creation (I'm being purposefully vague), or the protagonist's spot on views of adults, it's chock full of wit and hilarity.
Buy it for your young readers and get in on the fun, yourself!
September 30, 2021
I enjoyed this with all its oddities. There were parts I couldn't quite understand what was happening, but I think that's probably intentional and part of the magic. The characters are great and funny, and I loved discovering the secret copyright page message!
June 19, 2018
This. book. was. delightful. *flaps hands and squeaks (aka fangirls)* The writing style was beautiful. I loved the mix of sweet elementary school innocence and simplicity with the big words and wild imagination. Even just the fictional references made me smile. A girl bard? A boy scientist? A knight in tinfoil-raincoat armor? Art that comes to life? A shape-shifting dragon? A superhero-in-denial-teacher with a collection of smiles in her purse? How awesomely wonderful can this get? This book was easy to read, perfect for my struggling brain, and I finished it in a few sittings. Even as a 17-year-old who likes deep and intense books I greatly enjoyed this clean, middle-grade novel. I'd recommend it to all ages. The characters, writing style, and plot were fabulous (no, I'm not just trying to come up with more positive adjectives ;) ). The ending was satisfying. The themes were great. I honestly can't come up with something I disliked. XD I should read this to my children someday. Since I can't do that yet, I'll make you read just a handful of the spectacular quotes in this book:
"The principal wasn't a supervillain at all. He was just a sad little boy that grew up."
"Dragons can only eat you, but people can laugh at you, and that it like being chewed to death by a smile."
"Perhaps the Board Members were wise to take away doorknobs. For it is a dangerous thing to open a door"
"All you can do is make the best thing you can, and love it as hard as you can, and let it go loose in the world, and watch what happens."
"Like most masterpieces, the dragon was at first not sure of its own quality."
"The principal wasn't a supervillain at all. He was just a sad little boy that grew up."
"Dragons can only eat you, but people can laugh at you, and that it like being chewed to death by a smile."
"Perhaps the Board Members were wise to take away doorknobs. For it is a dangerous thing to open a door"
"All you can do is make the best thing you can, and love it as hard as you can, and let it go loose in the world, and watch what happens."
"Like most masterpieces, the dragon was at first not sure of its own quality."
June 20, 2018
Great idea, but tries way too hard...
Far too self-conscious an attempt to win the "I'm-just-as-creative-as-Roald-Dahl" award.
I typically love the books that come out of the Rabbit Room -- but here's the key difference:
Janner Wingfeather knows he's not Frodo Baggins.
Sara Cobbler knows she's not Lucy Pevensie.
Gnag the Nameless knows he's not Voldemort (who, himself, knows he's not Sauron... I mean, c'mon...)
In other words, Andrew Peterson is clearly influenced by Tolkien and Lewis and others -- but he finds his own voice, creates unique characters, and makes us care about them.
The plot of "Henry" is a great idea (perhaps a trifle hackneyed in terms of the "kids rule, teachers drool" approach of presenting teachers as unimaginative, villainous muggles who exist solely to squelch the creativity of their students). But from the get-go, Henry shows up in his "I'm With Willy Wonka" t-shirt, and the book sets out to show how uniquely creative it is. But that's the thing -- authors like Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, and Edward Lear don't have to convince you that they're creative. The minute an author has to convince the reader that (s)he is creative, the battle has been lost...
Far too self-conscious an attempt to win the "I'm-just-as-creative-as-Roald-Dahl" award.
I typically love the books that come out of the Rabbit Room -- but here's the key difference:
Janner Wingfeather knows he's not Frodo Baggins.
Sara Cobbler knows she's not Lucy Pevensie.
Gnag the Nameless knows he's not Voldemort (who, himself, knows he's not Sauron... I mean, c'mon...)
In other words, Andrew Peterson is clearly influenced by Tolkien and Lewis and others -- but he finds his own voice, creates unique characters, and makes us care about them.
The plot of "Henry" is a great idea (perhaps a trifle hackneyed in terms of the "kids rule, teachers drool" approach of presenting teachers as unimaginative, villainous muggles who exist solely to squelch the creativity of their students). But from the get-go, Henry shows up in his "I'm With Willy Wonka" t-shirt, and the book sets out to show how uniquely creative it is. But that's the thing -- authors like Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, and Edward Lear don't have to convince you that they're creative. The minute an author has to convince the reader that (s)he is creative, the battle has been lost...
October 14, 2016
Wacky, hilarious, and wise. Henry and the Chalk Dragon is masterfully done.
March 16, 2021
A cute book, beautifully written and it made me smile quite often. I’ll definitely buy it for my children’s bookshelf.
January 15, 2018
It was day three of cousin-togetherness. Six boys off-schedule, wound-up, unraveling; the fellowship was frayed. Mom suggested a movie, then changed her mind. Nana, would you read a book? Oh, dear. I grabbed my Kindle, swiped through the library and found Henry and the Chalk Dragon, a book I had bought in May for .99 and promptly forgot.
Enter real, genuine, palpable magic: when the read aloud is perfectly fitting. Some boys are talented artists, a few consider themselves dragon and dinosaur experts; all have verdant imaginations. The words I spoke, reading from my device, matched their desires. Oh-ho-ho-ho! they giggled when Henry's dragon jumped off his bedroom door and stood in the hallway.
With some aluminum foil, Henry fashions the armor he needs with notes taped to the inside to remind him of chivalry.
BE BRAVE.
SPEAK UP, SCAREDY PANTS.
DON'T INSULT ANYTHING THAT JUST SHIMMIED DOWN THE DRAIN.
DON'T RUN AWAY. He thought of St. George and that other dragon. He thought of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. He thought of Peter Pan and Captain Hook. He thought of David and Goliath.
There's so much to love in this fantasy, a genre I generally don't love.
Henry names the smiles from his beloved teacher, Miss Pimpernel.
I'm-Teaching-You-a-Very-Important-Lesson smile.
You're-Going-to-Like-what-I'm-about-to-Tell-You smile.
Be-Nice-to-Me-I-Haven't-Had-My-Coffee smile.
Trafton explores the anxiety of artists, the bravery required to use imagination in art and share it with others. Seeing life outside the box. Friendship and loyalty.
People are like puzzle pieces. Put together, the shapes make a picture. And a friend is the one whose shape fits into your shape — fits perfectly because it is different, opposite, like a key in a lock, or a foot in a shoe.
Above all, this book is delightful. It is funny, surprising, and stuffed with literary allusions which will go over most kids' heads but brighten the faces of those that connect the dots.
Henry's Principal Cleaver Bunk (of La Muncha Elementary School!) is an incarnation of Mr. Gradgrind from Dickens' Hard Times. Facts, numbers, budgets.
My grandkids hold me to a Covenant Not to Read Ahead. We didn't get through the book before some had to go through the woods and over the river back home. They allowed me to read on by myself. Next time we meet, we'll finish Henry's story together.
Enter real, genuine, palpable magic: when the read aloud is perfectly fitting. Some boys are talented artists, a few consider themselves dragon and dinosaur experts; all have verdant imaginations. The words I spoke, reading from my device, matched their desires. Oh-ho-ho-ho! they giggled when Henry's dragon jumped off his bedroom door and stood in the hallway.
With some aluminum foil, Henry fashions the armor he needs with notes taped to the inside to remind him of chivalry.
BE BRAVE.
SPEAK UP, SCAREDY PANTS.
DON'T INSULT ANYTHING THAT JUST SHIMMIED DOWN THE DRAIN.
DON'T RUN AWAY. He thought of St. George and that other dragon. He thought of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. He thought of Peter Pan and Captain Hook. He thought of David and Goliath.
There's so much to love in this fantasy, a genre I generally don't love.
Henry names the smiles from his beloved teacher, Miss Pimpernel.
I'm-Teaching-You-a-Very-Important-Lesson smile.
You're-Going-to-Like-what-I'm-about-to-Tell-You smile.
Be-Nice-to-Me-I-Haven't-Had-My-Coffee smile.
Trafton explores the anxiety of artists, the bravery required to use imagination in art and share it with others. Seeing life outside the box. Friendship and loyalty.
People are like puzzle pieces. Put together, the shapes make a picture. And a friend is the one whose shape fits into your shape — fits perfectly because it is different, opposite, like a key in a lock, or a foot in a shoe.
Above all, this book is delightful. It is funny, surprising, and stuffed with literary allusions which will go over most kids' heads but brighten the faces of those that connect the dots.
Henry's Principal Cleaver Bunk (of La Muncha Elementary School!) is an incarnation of Mr. Gradgrind from Dickens' Hard Times. Facts, numbers, budgets.
My grandkids hold me to a Covenant Not to Read Ahead. We didn't get through the book before some had to go through the woods and over the river back home. They allowed me to read on by myself. Next time we meet, we'll finish Henry's story together.
February 25, 2023
A fun book about creativity and courage. Henry’s drawing of a dragon comes to life and makes a disaster of his school. This book was funny and zany with a great message about how putting your art out there for all to see takes bravery, as well as making things right when you hurt others.
My nine year old loved this, but my seven year old thought it was a little too zany and over-the-top unrealistic.
My nine year old loved this, but my seven year old thought it was a little too zany and over-the-top unrealistic.
October 4, 2018
There is so much to love about this book. It should be required reading for every teacher, parent, pastor, child, teen, and whatever-something. The writing is clever, laugh-out-loud funny, and moving. I am at once encouraged, challenged, and inspired. I cannot imagine you'll be disappointed, so pick it up and read it. The artist in you will thank you, especially if you haven't chatted in a while.
May 24, 2020
i didn't expect to like this story as much as i did. i want to be a brave artist.
June 24, 2018
This book gets a full five stars. In fact, my kids and I loved it so much that we went out and bought it, and bought the other book available by the same author. This is the best read-aloud book I’ve encountered for many years.
February 22, 2022
Excellent book for kids (and maybe adults as well since I read it)! It teaches so many good lessons to kids all while using a great selection of descriptive words. I highly recommend this to anyone with kids 7-12 years old.
June 18, 2025
3.5 stars. The kids loved it. For me it was on the depressing side, don't we all have the potential for creativity?
January 30, 2018
My brother read this to me for the 31 Day Read Aloud challenge! Uproariously funny (we were laughing out loud at many points) and also an amazing story about art and young artists. 10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone who is ready to laugh loudly and think deeply.
March 18, 2024
This book is very creative/imaginative, a bit too silly for me, but I think that my children will love it. She's through The Rabbit Room (Andrew Peterson's publication).
**The kids loved this as a read aloud. They begged me to keep reading. It's a good reminder to me to add in more laughter.
**The kids loved this as a read aloud. They begged me to keep reading. It's a good reminder to me to add in more laughter.
June 6, 2018
I picked this up because I heard about it* and thought my six-year-old nephew might enjoy it. I wanted to check it out myself before recommending it, and it passed with flying colors! I would enjoy reading this book aloud, I think it would keep a kid entertained; and, while it comes dangerously close to celebrating a boy who can’t do ONE SINGLE THING that’s asked of him because rules are so haaard, I think it manages to keep the focus on doing what you love, even when it’s difficult and you are afraid that people will laugh at you because sometimes the scary things end up being the best things.
Henry is an artist whose drawings come to life and follow him to school one day in the form of a shape-shifting dragon. As you can imagine, chaos ensues! I think any kid would enjoy the general goofiness and adventure of Henry and his friends trying to wrangle a dragon before it destroys their school, but there’s a lot more to this book.
There are a lot of literary references to other classic children’s books, many of which I got but a few of which flew right on by me, and the author includes a list of references at the back, which is nice. You could build an entire reading challenge around this list, or sneakier parents could load their kids up with some of these books ahead of time so that when they pop up in this book, the kids can have some moments of recognition.
There is also a lot of fun with words in this book. The name of the school is La Muncha, and it is full of characters like the lunch lady, Miss Brie, the librarian, Mr. Boolean, and Henry’s beloved teacher, Miss Pimpernel, who has hundreds of different smiles and whom Henry believes has forgotten about her previous life as a superhero. Henry’s best friend is Oscar. Oscar wants to be a scientist and is the kid with all the good words, all the words that sound like really good insults, even if they aren’t. Readers have the opportunity to learn a lot of new words from Oscar (and others) right alongside Henry.
Finally, at the end of the day, after Henry’s dragon has wreaked havoc everywhere and Henry is pondering never imagining anything again (because look what happens when he imagines things!), there are these words from Mr. Bruce, the bus driver who believes in him:
“Once you make something,” continues Mr. Bruce, “a picture, or a story, or a song, or an invention, or even a delicious meal, it isn’t yours anymore. It has a life. It could spend it’s life lying quietly on your paper, staring up at you and saying, ‘Thank you for drawing me. Aren’t I wonderful?’ Or it could fill the stomach of a queen or give strength to a poor man on the street. It could wrap itself around a city and make the people in it cry an ocean, or it could wiggle into the ears of a baby and make her burst into giggles.” And those are all pretty powerful things.
* I heard about it in Episode 124 of one of my favorite podcasts, “What Should I Read Next?” https://modernmrsdarcy.com/124-episode/
Edited to add, that I would recommend pairing this with Ada Twist, Scientist
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... as a surprisingly similar but charmingly different companion read.
Henry is an artist whose drawings come to life and follow him to school one day in the form of a shape-shifting dragon. As you can imagine, chaos ensues! I think any kid would enjoy the general goofiness and adventure of Henry and his friends trying to wrangle a dragon before it destroys their school, but there’s a lot more to this book.
There are a lot of literary references to other classic children’s books, many of which I got but a few of which flew right on by me, and the author includes a list of references at the back, which is nice. You could build an entire reading challenge around this list, or sneakier parents could load their kids up with some of these books ahead of time so that when they pop up in this book, the kids can have some moments of recognition.
There is also a lot of fun with words in this book. The name of the school is La Muncha, and it is full of characters like the lunch lady, Miss Brie, the librarian, Mr. Boolean, and Henry’s beloved teacher, Miss Pimpernel, who has hundreds of different smiles and whom Henry believes has forgotten about her previous life as a superhero. Henry’s best friend is Oscar. Oscar wants to be a scientist and is the kid with all the good words, all the words that sound like really good insults, even if they aren’t. Readers have the opportunity to learn a lot of new words from Oscar (and others) right alongside Henry.
Finally, at the end of the day, after Henry’s dragon has wreaked havoc everywhere and Henry is pondering never imagining anything again (because look what happens when he imagines things!), there are these words from Mr. Bruce, the bus driver who believes in him:
“Once you make something,” continues Mr. Bruce, “a picture, or a story, or a song, or an invention, or even a delicious meal, it isn’t yours anymore. It has a life. It could spend it’s life lying quietly on your paper, staring up at you and saying, ‘Thank you for drawing me. Aren’t I wonderful?’ Or it could fill the stomach of a queen or give strength to a poor man on the street. It could wrap itself around a city and make the people in it cry an ocean, or it could wiggle into the ears of a baby and make her burst into giggles.” And those are all pretty powerful things.
* I heard about it in Episode 124 of one of my favorite podcasts, “What Should I Read Next?” https://modernmrsdarcy.com/124-episode/
Edited to add, that I would recommend pairing this with Ada Twist, Scientist
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... as a surprisingly similar but charmingly different companion read.
September 10, 2024
Update on reading this book aloud to my 9yo (daughter no 4). She loves it just as much as her sisters.
This was a wonderful book to read aloud to my 10 year old daughter. She is growing into her own and wants to be brave. This book had a wonderful message: You have to be brave to be an artist. To put any part of yourself on display for others to see. To open yourself to criticism or praise. Sparked some great conversation with my daughter and she opened up about some of her own self confidence issues and gave me a chance to affirm who she is and why she is valuable. Great book and will be required reading for the other children!
* Are real and true the same thing?
* You have to be brave to be an artist.
* Are you brave enough not to be believed?
* Once you make something, a picture, or a story, or a song, or an invention, or even a delicious meal, it isn’t yours anymore, it has a life.
* People are like puzzle pieces. Put together the shapes make a picture. And a friend is the one whose shape fits into your shape - fits perfectly because it is different, opposite, like a key in a lock or a foot in a shoe.
This was a wonderful book to read aloud to my 10 year old daughter. She is growing into her own and wants to be brave. This book had a wonderful message: You have to be brave to be an artist. To put any part of yourself on display for others to see. To open yourself to criticism or praise. Sparked some great conversation with my daughter and she opened up about some of her own self confidence issues and gave me a chance to affirm who she is and why she is valuable. Great book and will be required reading for the other children!
* Are real and true the same thing?
* You have to be brave to be an artist.
* Are you brave enough not to be believed?
* Once you make something, a picture, or a story, or a song, or an invention, or even a delicious meal, it isn’t yours anymore, it has a life.
* People are like puzzle pieces. Put together the shapes make a picture. And a friend is the one whose shape fits into your shape - fits perfectly because it is different, opposite, like a key in a lock or a foot in a shoe.
January 4, 2020
I purchased this book for my kids for Christmas and we read it over the course of about a week and a half. My kids are aged 5 - 13 and 10 and under absolutely loved it. The 13 year old was not so very enamored and I have to confess that I wasn't either -- for about the first half of the book. I felt the build-up into the main point of the story was slow and clumsy and just not very engaging for an older audience.
The main point of this book is that we all have creative talents and life is a matter of learning how to use them. I agree! I was sold on this book with the following quote:
"Henry, let your imagination be as wild as the spinning universe. Let it be beautiful and adventurous and even terrifying. Let it go free. Don't be afraid. But remember that art does things you don't expect. Remember that it can hurt people, but remember that it can make them happy as well."
Immediately upon finishing the story, our kids asked to race off to the craft room and start drawing so I would say that this story hit the right nerve of the right audience. I started out not really enjoying the read, but ended up loving it!
The main point of this book is that we all have creative talents and life is a matter of learning how to use them. I agree! I was sold on this book with the following quote:
"Henry, let your imagination be as wild as the spinning universe. Let it be beautiful and adventurous and even terrifying. Let it go free. Don't be afraid. But remember that art does things you don't expect. Remember that it can hurt people, but remember that it can make them happy as well."
Immediately upon finishing the story, our kids asked to race off to the craft room and start drawing so I would say that this story hit the right nerve of the right audience. I started out not really enjoying the read, but ended up loving it!
June 3, 2019
My son asked if we could read this book again before we were even done with it. And I didn't inwardly groan but agreed happily that we could. There is just so much to love about this book.
Just as much to love the 2nd time around, this time reading it to two boys who shrieked with laughter.
Just as much to love the 2nd time around, this time reading it to two boys who shrieked with laughter.
June 5, 2024
This book was an absolute masterpiece 🤩
January 30, 2025
“That day would always be remembered as the day that Henry Penwhistle’s imagination escaped and ran wild.”
This story is a wildly creative adventure! It’s full of incredible, vivid imagery. It went a little too far creatively for my personal taste, but the kids loved it! Audiobook narrator is excellent.
One aspect I appreciated was that three of the main characters seemed to be a bit neurodivergent. They’re different than the other kids, but their unique interests and talents help save the day.
There’s also an underlying conflict between friends. Both friends eventually express their frustrations / feelings and learn / reconcile.
Some themes:
-Art in various forms is a main theme - it has value even when people don’t initially think it does or should. “You have to be brave to be an artist.”
-Chivalry
-Imagination
-Creativity
-Teamwork and relying on the strengths of others
-Friendship
_
Notable Quotes:
“‘Dragons aren’t scary. Well, they are but they’re a good kind of scary. They’re the kind of scary you want to be scared of. People are the bad kind of scary,’ he thought. ‘Dragons can only eat you. But people can laugh at you, and that’s like being chewed to death by a smile.’”
“It would be a tragic thing indeed for a boy to grow up to be a villain. Think of it: with your intelligence, you could be a president or an astronaut or a world famous circus entertainer! Don’t sully the honor of your good name by being a bully and a book stealer.”
“You have to be brave to be an artist. […] It takes a fearless knight to imagine something and then let it out into the world.”
“This whole day was beginning to make him feel as if his brain were an underwear drawer and someone had pinned the underwear up on the wall for everyone to see!”
“His smile spread so wide it nearly squeezed his cheeks into his ears, but it was not a happy smile.”
_
Content Notes:
There is various name calling and bullying. The main characters get picked on and made fun of by other classmates.
One kid insults people using random dictionary words. For the most part, these are really funny.
This story is a wildly creative adventure! It’s full of incredible, vivid imagery. It went a little too far creatively for my personal taste, but the kids loved it! Audiobook narrator is excellent.
One aspect I appreciated was that three of the main characters seemed to be a bit neurodivergent. They’re different than the other kids, but their unique interests and talents help save the day.
There’s also an underlying conflict between friends. Both friends eventually express their frustrations / feelings and learn / reconcile.
Some themes:
-Art in various forms is a main theme - it has value even when people don’t initially think it does or should. “You have to be brave to be an artist.”
-Chivalry
-Imagination
-Creativity
-Teamwork and relying on the strengths of others
-Friendship
_
Notable Quotes:
“‘Dragons aren’t scary. Well, they are but they’re a good kind of scary. They’re the kind of scary you want to be scared of. People are the bad kind of scary,’ he thought. ‘Dragons can only eat you. But people can laugh at you, and that’s like being chewed to death by a smile.’”
“It would be a tragic thing indeed for a boy to grow up to be a villain. Think of it: with your intelligence, you could be a president or an astronaut or a world famous circus entertainer! Don’t sully the honor of your good name by being a bully and a book stealer.”
“You have to be brave to be an artist. […] It takes a fearless knight to imagine something and then let it out into the world.”
“This whole day was beginning to make him feel as if his brain were an underwear drawer and someone had pinned the underwear up on the wall for everyone to see!”
“His smile spread so wide it nearly squeezed his cheeks into his ears, but it was not a happy smile.”
_
Content Notes:
There is various name calling and bullying. The main characters get picked on and made fun of by other classmates.
One kid insults people using random dictionary words. For the most part, these are really funny.
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