Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat

Henry and Mudge #8

by Cynthia Rylant

One night, a shabby cat with skinny legs, a belly that sags, and fur that looks like mashed prunes arrives on the doorstep. Soon, with a little food and some loving, the shabby cat turns into a happy cat. Full color.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Dogs, Animals, Cats, Chapter Books

Library Binding

First published April 30, 1990

About the author

An 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

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice book that will teach a small child the importance of family and friends.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to a kindergarten class over the course of a day

I love "Henry and Mudge" books! This book is no exception. Henry's family finds a "shabby" cat on their porch. They take the cat in and try to find the owner of this unfortunate looking cat. The cat becomes like a mother to Mudge. The "shabby" cat's owner finally finds him and leaves quite and impression on both Mudge and Henry!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun story about a scruffy cat that Henry and Mudge and their family adopt until they can find its owner. The poor cat is very unusual and looks the color of mushed prunes. The family begins to love the cat and though they are happy when the owner is reunited with his cat, they are sad to have him leave. This is a good story about compassion and kindness toward animals.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great Henry and Mudge book that my 5 yr old loved. Most of these that we find at the library are level 2 reader books and right now, that's perfect for my son. He's between a level 2 and 3 and often gets either, but he absolutely loves Henry and Mudge and can relate to many of his adventures. Not for preschoolers, but great beginner reader books for the young reader.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: One night Henry and Henry's father and Henry's big dog Mudge were watching TV.

Premise/plot: Henry's family takes in a stray cat; this stray cat is unique looking: it looks like mashed prunes. The family is happy to take the cat in--for a few days, a few weeks. But because having Mudge is like having five dogs--that they can't take the cat into their home permanently.

The first chapter is about taking the stray cat into their home. The second chapter is about how happy the cat is in her new home, and, how much Mudge loves being mothered by the cat. Essentially the family does come to like the cat. The third chapter is "bittersweet" I suppose. The cat's original owner is found, and the two are reunited. But Henry's family misses the cat.

In one week the shabby cat had become Mudge's mother. It washed Mudge all the time. It washed Mudge's ears. It washed Mudge's eyes. It even washed Mudge's dirty feet.


My thoughts: I really enjoyed rereading this Henry and Mudge book. It was my first book to read in the series and it still remains my favorite--at least so far.

Have you read the Henry and Mudge series? Do you have a favorite title?

[Joseph Berube · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book that I read to my sons Aidan (7), Quintin (4), and Declan (1) while I was deployed to Afghanistan. I had the feeling it was part of a series, but it did well on its own and I had no problems with not knowing what had happened in books 1-7. Easy read. I think my son Aidan, who just started the second grade, will have no problems reading this book. I also liked that there were no bad examples for the boys to follow, as I have unfortunately found in other children books. Fun book to read to your kids...I recommend it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even after all this time, I still love Mudge and Henry.

In this particular book, Henry and Mudge find a lost cat on their doorstep. Henry's mom and dad decide to let it stay until they can find its owner. They make posters for a lost cat and hang them u around town hoping to locate the cat's owner. In the week that it is there Mudge learns to share with the kitty (anyone who ever owned a headstrong cat knows 'sharing' is because the cat is the boss. lol).

After a week, the owner comes to claim his cat and leaves Mudge and Henry a thank you gift the next day.

Super cute level two east read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually found "Houghton Mifflin Invitations to Literature: Rd Pback+ Henry/Mudge L2.1 -Imp Henry/Mudge by Houghton Mifflin (Preparation)" in a Little Free Library... it has two short articles about other pets. I imagine it's part of a textbook set. I have other similar enhanced titles I'll be reviewing soonish.

I love some of the H&M stories but for some reason this didn't wow me. Still, if you have young children and like cats or dogs, you probably want to read some of this series with your family.

[Sheri S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many of the Henry and Mudge stories and this is one of my favorites. The book tells the story of how Henry's family cares for a stray cat that shows up at their door. The family, including Mudge, bonds with the cat but they know they need to find the cat's owner. I appreciate the way Rylant explains how each of the character's feels about the cat throughout the story.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

One evening while watching television, Mudge hears a noise at the front door. It was the shabbiest looking cat they had ever seen. Henry and his family take in the happy stray, and put up posters to locate the cat's owner. It was a sad day for the family when the happy cat's owner came to claim it.

[Le Maistre Chat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry's family finds a stray cat. He "looks like mashed prunes", so when they put posters up, no one even lies that he's the cat they lost. Mudge bonds with the cat, who acts like "his mother". But eventually a policeman shows up at the door to claim his missing cat, Dave, and they have to give him back.
Relatable, realistic theme. I enjoyed this one with my daughter.

[Shireen Hakim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely think they should have kept a cat instead of a dog. I'm glad the cat found it's original home.
Favorite quote "Nice for a disaster" reminds me of something my mom would say about my cat lol.

[Chris Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fun and an interesting way to introduce loss. Even if the time was short, Henry and Mudge both make a connection with the mashed prunes looking cat. My son connects with the concept and understands the challenges the main characters face.

[May Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

I tremendously enjoyed this one. Henry and Mudge saw a stray cat outside their house, and after tending to it, it formed a special bond with Mudge. Two bonding pets never fail to put a smile on my face.

[Oona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am starting to think Mudge might be a Mastiff. A cute alternative to Steven Kellogg's Pinkerton the Great Dane.

[Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great first chapter book. It's such an easy read, your reader will feel confident, and the authors humor weaves a great, silly tale that will keep your child's interest.

[Monica Loftus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longer book for older kids. Loved the story and thought the ending was perfect

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry and Mudge and his family feed a stray cat and help him find his owner.

[Juwon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and Mudge series is almost always fun

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Suddenly Henry got a lump in his throat. He didn't want Mudge to lose his mother. Even if Mudge's mother was named Dave."

Classic!

[David Mortlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story

Was a little sad.. but had a good message about good manners and friendship .. we liked the shabby cat

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

AR 2.7

[The Book Box]

Mom and I read this the other night. The "prune" description of the cat made me laugh so hard!

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

His name is Dave?! That's a weird name for a cat!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and Mudge make a new friend with stray shabby kitty who looks like mashed prunes. When the owner of the cat comes to their house, the cat is happy but Henry and Mudge have some sad times.

[WinterBat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story of making new friends and saying goodbye

[Gabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is always fun to read with my tutor students and see how far they have come as young readers.

[Adrianne Rosal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another adventure.