Henry Huggins Collection

Henry Huggins #1-4

by Beverly Cleary

Henry Huggins feels like nothing very exciting ever happens on Klickitat Street . . . until one day when a friendly dog sits down and looks pleadingly at Henry's ice-cream cone. From that moment on, Henry and his new dog, Ribsy, are inseparable—and together, they cause more excitement than Klickitat Street can handle! This collection includes four beloved classics: Henry Huggins, Ribsy, Henry and Beezus, and Henry and Ribsy. Boys and girls alike will be charmed by these funny stories about an average boy whose life is turned upside down when he meets a lovable puppy with a nose for mischief.

Genres: Childrens, Audiobook, Fiction

Paperback

First published August 1, 1990

About the author

Beverly Atlee Cleary was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction. One of America's most successful authors, 91 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide since her first book was published in 1950. Some of her best known characters are Ramona Quimby and Beezus Quimby, Henry Huggins and his dog Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse.
The majority of Cleary's books are set in the Grant Park neighborhood of northeast Portland, Oregon, where she was raised, and she has been credited as one of the first authors of children's literature to figure emotional realism in the narratives of her characters, often children in middle-class families. Her first children's book was Henry Huggins after a question from a kid when Cleary was a librarian. Cleary won the 1981 National Book Award for Ramona and Her Mother and the 1984 Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. For her lifetime contributions to American literature, she received the National Medal of Arts, recognition as a Library of Congress Living Legend, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the Association for Library Service to Children. The Beverly Cleary School, a public school in Portland, was named after her, and several statues of her most famous characters were erected in Grant Park in 1995. Cleary died on March 25, 2021, at the age of 104.

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember some of the adventures from when i read these as a kid! Am reading the 4th one now to my 6 yr old daughter, who likes the series except when henry is lamenting how 'that's just like a girl'.

They are rather dated now- newspaper boys are passe, not envied by other kids, paper drives have been replaced by recycling trucks but the fun the kids have together comes thru!

[Jill Kleis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't exactly the right entry to put this in, but we just finished up the last Henry Huggins audiobook, and we LOVED them. Such good stories, so engaging, and narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. It doesn't get any better than this. We're moving on to the Ramona stories next, but it will be hard to beat Henry.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have listened to this series on Audible at least 5 times through because our 5 yo loves this series, a favorite. So, I'm counting it toward my "read" books. Neal Patrick Harris does a perfect job narrating, and his Ramona voice is hilarious. This series is amazing and perfectly captures childhood from a child's perspective. It's a classic for a reason, and I only wish I had read it as a child.

We have since bought the Ramona series to listen to, and our son enjoys those, too. I remember reading a few of those as a child. I will say, though, I think the Henry Huggins books are better, if you are going to choose just one to add to your child's library.

Henry will spoil the tooth fairy and Santa for a young child, so just fast forward through those parts. He heard the tooth fairy part, but we caught the Santa part just in time.

[Heather Gmiterek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading these to my son. While a little
dated (we needed to stop to explain what a phone booth was and why we need to pay to use it) most of it is timeless. My son giggled a few times, wants to raise guppies and find a homeless dog to make his very own.

Henry is an adventurous young boy. He has a lot of fun as well as responsibility. I think my favorite thing is how his parents are excited for his endeavours and work to help him, and when Henry has a problem he is quick to go to his parents to brainstorm and get help.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids loved these books and the situations Henry and his dog Ribsy got into. It was also fun to hear about the character of Ramona Quimby when she was younger and more annoying, after reading many of the Ramona books previously. These were sweet, wholesome, fun books that the whole family enjoyed.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t read these as a kid - I stuck with Ramona whom I loved. But with all boys, I turned to this as a first chapter book introduction for my 4 year old. We went straight through the whole Henry series and loved them! I know we’ll return to them often.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible with Ryan. Culturally dated which gave us a chance to talk about some sensitive subjects. Ruins the tooth fairy, though. Not sure he paid attention to that (or chose to ignore it). Love NPH as narrator.

[Girl In the Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I listened to this in the evening before bedtime and loved it.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both of my daughters LOVE this series, they are the most requested stories in our home!

[Mariel Bank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun kids collection. Listened on YOTO and Neil Patrick Harris as the reader and it was even more fun!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great collection of books for kids and adults.

[Theo kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beezus for boys! Clever writing, interesting characters, and Cleary captures what it is to be a boy. Awesome. I think the writing is a tad old fashioned for Troy, but I liked the traditional values that Henry emulated. I probably liked that he was reading it a tad more than he liked the reading itself, but still a solid choice.

[Ilana Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the nice things about this author (and it���s hard to choose just one) is that she write equally well for girls AND boys. If your guys aren���t crazy about Cleary's "Ramona Quimby, Age 8" or "Beezus and Ramona" (because they're "girl" books ;-), they can certainly enjoy the ones in this set.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thoroughly immersed in this little world that Beverly Cleary had created!

[Laura Quilter]

Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary (1954)

[Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

narrated by Neil Patrick Harris, this is fabulous.

[Sandy Salmansohn]

I enjoyed reading this series when I was in junior high.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we drive to school each day, my kids are greatly enjoying all the adventures happening on Klickitat Street. Henry, Ribzy, Scooter, Beezus, and Ramona are very entertaining.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raising a 12 year old boy, this book is a must. What a fantastic glimpse into the mind of a young boy. I love Henry and will continue to enjoy him for years to come.

[Anna Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

My little guy loves these characters.

[Lorelei]

Just re-listened to the whole Henry Huggins Collection on Audible

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just a wonderful feel good series that both the kids so enjoyed.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked this book because i liked it.

[pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great narration by Neil Patrick Harris!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the whole set on audio book in the car with the kids, and loved it so much that we have now heard the whole thing twice. Neil Patrick Harris is a brilliant narrator.

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

We listened to this collection of classic stories of a boy and his dog on a few trips back and forth to visit Grandma who is in hospital 2 hours away. Our twin seven year olds love these books. These timeless tales tell of Henry and Ribzi and everyday scrapes a child a may find him/herself in, even today -all while managing relationships, learning responsibility, and having fun.
I grew up a big fan of Henry's neighbor, Ramona and her books. Our kids love the role she and Beezus play in Henry's books (though my daughter wishes Henry was more appreciative of Beezus).
This is a perfectly precious compilation of some of Beverly Cleary's most enchanting work.