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Henry and Mudge #24
Henry and Mudge and the Funny Lunch
Every year Henry and his dad (with help from Mudge, of course) make Henry's mother a funny lunch for Mother's Day. Shopping for their juicy, crunchy surprise is fun, and preparing it is even more fun. But sharing it with Henry's mother is the most fun of all!
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Cynthia Rylant
396 books886 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 10, 2017
Oh, the wacky things Henry and Mudge get up to! Plus Henry's dad is a hilarious guy. They make silly lunches for his mom every year. Creative and fun-loving. Colorful illustrations with a big, drooly, lovable dog!
February 25, 2019
Great series for those transitioning to longer/chapter books. Story is cute.
September 7, 2019
I loved how they couldn't play catch because Mudge got the ball all wet, and how his dad said they were going to make a pineapple sofa for mother's day. I liked how they joked about the sleep bed pulling out to a watermelon bed, and how they made fruit people
June 4, 2024
A so--what?!
For the life of me, I could not understand nor imagine what funny lunch they made to Mother. And like the first I read from this series, I was surprised again when I reached the end of the book. Or maybe it was just me? Either way, it is still a fun read.
For the life of me, I could not understand nor imagine what funny lunch they made to Mother. And like the first I read from this series, I was surprised again when I reached the end of the book. Or maybe it was just me? Either way, it is still a fun read.
August 22, 2019
Henry, Mudge, and dad make a pineapple sofa and fruit family treat for lunch for mother's day.
January 7, 2021
I love the idea of a funny lunch. But I especially love books about human/animal bonds!
January 28, 2021
Henry and his dad have an adorable tradition for Mother's Day! I love this family and their simple pleasures/creativity.
December 15, 2021
Cute depictions of the funny lunch
October 6, 2022
Not my favorite Henry and Mudge in the series. The older ones are better. Still not a bad read for a beginning reader. My reader liked it and thought it was funny.
3.5
3.5
November 19, 2022
I absolutely love the concept of Henry and his dad making a funny lunch for Henry's mom on every Mother's Day! Once again, the author of the series allows her creative ideas to shine.
February 15, 2024
Luka liked picking out characters that were fruit.
July 19, 2024
Fun book - we plan to make a silly lunch like in the book.
September 23, 2024
I read Henry & Mudge as a kid and now Otto is enjoying them!
May 24, 2025
This was a memorable entry in the series because it shows the silly, creative way Henry's father shows love for his wife. I could see this inspiring kids and dads to make edible art for Mother's Day.
August 6, 2025
That's actually cute and while dad and Henry are making it, his mom can relax and have time to herself.
August 24, 2025
I read this to both my granddaughters and they thought it was funny. Henry and his dad were very creative in coming up with cool Mother’s Day lunches.
February 21, 2026
cute story about dad and father bonding on mothers day
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!!
March 2, 2011
It's Mother's Day and Henry, Mudge and Henry's dad are on a mission to make a funny lunch for Henry's mother. They shop together and assemble the "funny" lunch while spending quality time together. Students will love the illustrations and Mudge's antics in the grocery store. With the large type and short chapters, this beginning reader picture book is a perfect way to ease students into reading chapter books.
Themes: family, family traditions, working together
Grades: K-2
Awards: None
Publication: 2004
Classroom use:
Health- Discuss healthy foods and identify fruits and vegetables. Students could then create their own "funny" lunch using various fruits and vegetables.
Writing- Students could write paragraphs about how they celebrate Mother's Day.
Themes: family, family traditions, working together
Grades: K-2
Awards: None
Publication: 2004
Classroom use:
Health- Discuss healthy foods and identify fruits and vegetables. Students could then create their own "funny" lunch using various fruits and vegetables.
Writing- Students could write paragraphs about how they celebrate Mother's Day.
November 5, 2015
Via Mother's Day Minis
Another humorous beginners chapter book. Henry and Dad are preparing a special lunch for Mom. We are led through the preparation stage and watching as Dad, Mudge and Henry do the shopping for the food supplies they would require and then the preparation. Needless to say Mom was very happy with her delicious, crafty lunch.
Another humorous beginners chapter book. Henry and Dad are preparing a special lunch for Mom. We are led through the preparation stage and watching as Dad, Mudge and Henry do the shopping for the food supplies they would require and then the preparation. Needless to say Mom was very happy with her delicious, crafty lunch.
June 17, 2014
Henry and his dad have a tradition of making funny food for mother's day. I have some nit picks with the pictures in this one. One, the kiwis are green. Kiwis are brown fuzzy fruit on the outside, which I think is why the author chose to use them. However, they were drawn as green fruit. Two, the date circled on the calendar was in the middle of the week. Mother's Day is always on Sunday.
September 22, 2010
We really enjoyed the creativity and the fun in this story. Making a funny lunch for Mom for Mother's Day is a truly original idea and we loved it. We are coming to the end of the Henry and Mudge series of books and we have really enjoyed them all.
February 9, 2013
Fun story with a neat idea for celebrating Mother’s Day. And it’s great to have a children’s book portray a good and loving husband / father who is involved with his family and seeks to bring them happiness.
June 21, 2015
Every year Henry and his dad (with help from Mudge, of course) make Henry's mother a funny lunch for Mother's Day. Shopping for their juicy, crunchy surprise is fun, and preparing it is even more fun. But sharing it with Henry's mother is the most fun of all!
September 15, 2023
A comical Mother's Day book. Each year, Henry and his father come up with a humorous lunch idea to serve Henry's mother. This year, they make a couch out of a pineapple. A lot of creative ideas I never would have thought of.
June 9, 2008
Clever story of an original idea for a Mother's Day lunch. Just what a 1st or 2nd grader boy would love doing.
June 30, 2015
The Henry and Mudhe books are so cute!
November 10, 2010
I liked their fruit that they made. I liked the pineapple sofa and I also like to play kickball. I like that they make a funny fruit every Mother's Day.
April 27, 2011
A pineapple-couch, and an apple-daddy and a peach-mommy and a plum-boy and a kiwi-dog was their funny lunch. I first read this book in my brain.
February 13, 2012
Henry and Mudge went to the grocery shopping with Henry's father. The grocery owner was Henry's fathers cousin. So he always let Mudge in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews