HENRY, LIKE ALWAYS

Change is hard for everyone.

Classroom Ten has a Big Calendar, and Henry likes how it never changes. But this week, the teacher, Mrs. Tanaka (who presents as East Asian), announces that their diverse class will have a parade on Friday. Henry points out that Friday is Share Time, so Mrs. Tanaka makes space for the parade by moving Share Time to Thursday. Henry, whose behaviors fall on the autistic spectrum and who presents as East Asian, has an especially hard time adjusting to this alteration in the schedule. The rest of the week involves preparations for the parade, but Henry’s dread just keeps growing, so much so that he feels like there is a volcano in his stomach. Not even his friend Katie (who is brown-skinned) can make him feel better. On Friday, as the class gets ready for the parade, Henry seeks refuge in a quiet space and discovers a solution that will help someone else’s mood as well but, most importantly, also allow everyone to participate in their “own way.” This balanced, well-crafted chapter book, based on A Friend for Henry (2019), includes moments of wry humor, if readers are paying attention. In gentle ink lines and muted-blue washes, the illustrations simultaneously convey the upset feelings brought on by these events and the directness of Henry’s desires, all handled with respect and empathy for the protagonist.

Deeply relatable reassurance for readers unnerved by change.