A Friend for Henry: (Books About Making Friends, Children's Friendship Books, Autism Awareness Books for Kids)

Aboy on the autism spectrum considers his classmates as possible friends.

“Henry was looking for a friend.” The plot is that simple and that complicated. Although it’s never specified in the text, Henry’s autism can be seen in his behaviors and thoughts. He stands straight and still as the multiracial class convenes, a steady pillar amid the bustle. Henry, who presents East Asian, describes the other children in a manner that gives insight to his point of view: One student is “a tangle of colors,” while another is “a thunderstorm.” Initially dismissed because she likes the “Big Slide,” brown-skinned Katie shares a moment with Henry over the fishbowl. They play together, and readers see Henry standing straight and show more steady once again but this time looking up with a smile of anticipation as he “waited at the bottom for his friend.” Ink-and-watercolor illustrations interpret Henry’s point of view well, giving context to his perspective. Song’s style allows for small impressions and intentional gaps, like her rough hair textures and the outline of a fishbowl. It is in a state of becoming, like the burgeoning friendship.

Whether on the spectrum or not, friends don’t have to share everything, just enough, and this book sweetly provides. (Picture book. 3-8) show less

In classroom six, in company with seven other children, Henry is looking for a friend. He considers the class goldfish and his teacher, but they're not quite right. So he tries to make friends with the other kids. Vivianne loves rainbows and even though she is messy and loud and gets too close, Henry tries to be a friend. But she doesn't understand. Samuel loves reading time like Henry, but he doesn't understand about lining the carpet squares up just right. "Samuel was a thunderstorm, booming and crashing." and he's not the right friend for Henry. Henry has tried everyone it seems, but nobody is right. When he and Katie end up watching Gilly, the class fish, together. Henry decides to consider one more person as a friend.

It turns out, show more Katie is just the right friend for Henry. They may not be the same, but they have many things in common and they can work together on the other things. The next day, Henry waits happily for his new friend to slide down the big slide and feels just right.

The author, Jenn Bailey, wrote this story based on her sons' experience in forming friendships. One of them, like Henry, is on the autism spectrum. Mika Song, the illustrator, uses a deft touch to portray this quiet story. The small classroom is diverse, with Henry's teacher and new friend both representing as black and Henry as Asian. The illustrations are shown in small insets on the white pages, capturing Henry's isolation and struggles to connect. Eventually, Henry's world expands to include Katie in it and he ends the story with a quiet and satisfied expression.

Verdict: This would be a great story to read to incoming kindergarten or first grade students. It will take some guidance from an adult to remind children to be mindful of their and their classmates' differences and needs, but it's a very nonjudgmental explanation of how different people can be friends and that different behaviors are just that - different. Henry understands that even though he isn't comfortable with what the other kids do, there isn't anything wrong with it - or with his preferences either. It's a little long for a traditional storytime and I think younger kids won't catch the nuances of the story though.

ISBN: 9781452167916; Published 2019 by Chronicle; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased for the library show less

First sentence: In Classroom Six, second left down the hall, Henry was looking for a friend.

Premise/plot: Henry struggles a bit making a friend in school.

My thoughts: This book is simple yet universal. The book isn't clear on the specifics. Is this his first-first day of school? Is this a new school year? Has Henry moved to a new school? But I'm not overly bothered by the lack of specifics. Making (and keeping) friends especially when you're super-young is a universal struggle or problem. (It doesn't have to signal neuro-diversity. Though in this case, it's meant to be. The jacket flap informs readers [let's be honest, adults] that Henry is on the autism spectrum. Little ones for whom this book is read aloud may or may not pick up on show more that angle of it.

Overall, I liked it. I definitely liked the early chapter book a bit more. But I liked this one just fine. show less

Henry likes things quiet and tidy and just so; will he find a friend in Classroom Six? After a few false starts (rule-breakers, people who are too loud and too close), he does: Henry and Katie both stare at the class goldfish, Gilly, and make observations, then play together with blocks. ("I don't like triangles," said Henry. "I don't like broccoli," said Katie.) The final, wordless illustration shows the two new friends reading their own books, sitting on colored carpet squares that are touching.

See also: Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

A Friend for Henry is about a little boy with Autism trying to make a friend at school. IT is difficult for him because due to the effects of his disability, it makes it kind of difficult for others to keep patience with Henry. Henry likes things in specific places, he doesn't like noisy places, he is intimidated b tasks that seem hard, he doesn't like things too close to his body and he thinks it odd for someone to paint their nails. It seems on the surface Henry comes with a lot of "rules". In my opinion these aren't rules, simply ways for Henry to feel safe and secure in his own world. Henry eventually meets a little girl named Katie who is calm, patient, and likes the same things Henry likes. He has finally found a friend and Katie show more didn't have to change Henry to exist in his world. This story touches me specifically due to me having 3 little cousins on the spectrum who battle with the same thing. I love to see them make friends who see them for who they are, not what they aren't or can't do. Henry is deserving of a friend like Katie and I just know that soon Katie's understanding will flow right on to their other classmates and all will be well. You cannot see Henry's disability by looking at him, so I hope his friends find time to gain education on Henry's disability to better understand him. I also wish the teacher was a bit more tolerant but I can understand the difficulties of trying to keep the entire classroom under control so to quiet Henry's shouting was her main goal. show less

1st grade
This book follows Henry as he navigates finding a friend. It is a part of a series with the other Henry books. This would be best read first to younger kids, and the other chapter-style book can be read to second graders. I would use this book to teach about neurodiversity and navigating social struggles.

This series is exceptional. The writing is gentle and funny, and the characters act exactly as children act. Very true-to-life. I like how Henry's differences are expressed and how the word "autistic" isn't said or used in any obvious way. The teacher is wonderful in the stories, too.