Henry and Mudge and the Wild Goose Chase

Henry and Mudge #23

by Cynthia Rylant, Carolyn Bracken (Illustrator)

In Henry and Mudge's twenty-third adventure, they're off for a day in the country. While Henry's parents are buying farm-fresh food, he and Mudge enjoy meeting some friendly farm animals -- but look out when they cross paths with an angry goose!

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

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Cynthia 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.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I like Henry and Mudge books. I also enjoyed this book because I like geese. I liked this book because I liked the part when Henry and Mudge escaped a wild goose that was chasing them.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pretty much wraps up the Henry and Mudge series for us. From what we can tell on Goodreads, we've read all of this series, as well as the Puppy Mudge books for younger readers. We've really enjoyed these stories and I hope our girls will have fond memories of them as they get older. Now we are working our way through Cynthia Rylant's other books, especially the ones for older children.

This story was entertaining and I love that the family visits a farm and buys local produce. Not only is it ecologically sound to do so, but often more tasty, too. We laughed at their interaction with the farm animals. "Honk"

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Rylant's "Henry and Mudge" series draws in boys and girls with its timeless, simple family stories of exploration with man's best friend. There are many books in this series and they are an excellent way to get your child interested in reading. Recommended for emerging readers, aged 4-7.

[Le Maistre Chat · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2-year-old daughter liked it a lot. She was asking me to read it multiple times in a row when her grandmother made her leave the house.
Henry's mother wants farm-fresh food, so the family drives out to a farm, where Henry and Mudge walk among the animals. A hostile goose chases them (a realistic depiction of the species). It's a cute slice of life story.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Henry and Mudge's twenty-third adventure, they're off for a day in the country. While Henry's parents are buying farm-fresh food, he and Mudge enjoy meeting some friendly farm animals -- but look out when they cross paths with an angry goose!

[Linda Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry and Mudge books are a great series starter for first and second graders. They are level J from Fountas and Pinnell, so most second grade students should be able to read these independently. The illustrations are visually appealing and add to the interest of the stories.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my intro to this series. The kids will like it. I like the focus on 'fresh food,' but I'd rather see an urban farm so kids don't think they have to drive clear out into the country for 'farm fresh food.'

[The Bougie Twins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful trip to a farm to buy fresh vegetables. Mudge gets to know a goose.

[The Book Box]

Mama read this to me before bed the other night. We got a lot more Henry and Mudge books at the library because I missed reading them.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The family takes a trip to the country to buy fresh farm produce. Mudge has a standoff with a grumpy goose.

[WinterBat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Random start but it paid off

[Meagan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the series but not this particular book. The title seemed exciting but there wasn't really a lot of action and the book had very little to do with the goose chase itself.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how they buy food from a farm.

[Vince Cheung · Rating 5 out of 5]

She thinks Henry's haircut is fun.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erinna's favorite Henry and Mudge book

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[J9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book my 6 yr old loved, a little old for my preschoolers. A solid reading level 2 book, this reader has a good amount of advanced vocabulary words, but not so long that it discourages a new reader. Used it for his read out loud book, which was perfect. It took about 20 mins for him to read and had just enough new vocabulary words to make it challenging. Also, it was a fun and interesting story he could get into. He liked it so much, he asked for more by this author. Great reading book!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a level 2 book and wouldn't be too terribly hard for a merging reader to read. I read it outloud to my special needs teen age son and he giggled and grinned throughout the story at the various antics that Mudge got himself in when he and Henry and Henry's family visited a farm to get fresh eggs and produce. Such a fun book.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was my daughter's favorite Henry and Mudge story, and I have to admit I really enjoyed this one as well. Anyone that has ever been around a grouchy goose will enjoy the humor of this book.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Henry and Mudge are lovely. Their adventures are simple and always good for laughs. This book was hilarious. My kids cracked up when the chase took place.

I secured this title from my local library.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mudge hears the word yum so many times he knocks a chair over wagging his tail. They go to a farm where there is delicious food. A goose chases Henry and Mudge. I like Mudge's big bark that scares the goose away.

[Room 123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Henry and Mudge and the Wild Goose Chase is funny. I like the end of it and the illustrations. I love Mudge because the dog is silly. Do you like Henry and Mudge?

By Logan

[Annabella]

Re read July 2014

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and Mudge go to a farm.

[♡ Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of hard words.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry and Mudge are the stars of easy readers. Their sweetly funny, everyday adventures will appeal to newly independent readers.

[Cassie_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the "Henry and Mudge" books. :)

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read all by myself