Since its creation in 1987, the Henry and Mudge series has grown into one of the most beloved and acclaimed beginning-reading series ever. With more than two million copies sold, the American Library Association, the Library of Congress, Parents' Choice, The Horn Book Magazine, the International Reading Association, the American Booksellers Association, and most importantly, the thousands of children who belong to the Henry and Mudge fan club have recommended these wonderful books. Created by renowned Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and acclaimed illustrator Suçie Stevenson, the Henry and Mudge series is without a doubt a classic for all time. Kindergarten-Grade 3–Fans will welcome another installment in this popular series. In this adventure, Henry and his lovable dog visit Great-Grandpa Bill in the house where he lives with lots of other grandpas. The two friends go exploring and come across a pond that looks like a great place for a swim. Knowing that they should not go in the water alone, they return to the house in search of a buddy. All of the grandpas head off to the pond with the boy and the dog, resting on Mudge whenever they get tired. They all have a great time swimming in their skivvies and telling old stories. Brief chapters with entertaining watercolor illustrations make this book an excellent choice for beginning readers ready to make the transition to short chapter books. –Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. *Starred Review* K-Gr. 2. This Ready-to-Read title about Henry and his big dog Mudge is even more joyful than the others in the popular series. In four simple chapters The Great Grandpas tells how Henry and Mudge visit Great Grandpa Bill at his house with a lot of other very old grandpas. Henry brings gifts--food, games, puzzles--and while the grandpas play checkers and cards, Henry and Mudge run in the nearby woods and discover a pool. Then everyone wants to swim, and Henry, his dad, and the grandpas strip to their underwear and have a great time in the water. Mudge is there, too. In fact, when the grandpas get tired, they lean on Mudge, who doesn't mind at all. Rylant manages to make things idyllic without being soppy, partly because the mischief is both cozy and farcical; and Stevenson's clear, active line-and-watercolor pictures individualize the grandpas and show their affectionate bond with Henry and the huge, slobbering mutt. A sweet story, perfect for children who are capable of reading simple stories on their own. Hazel Rochman Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Cynthia Rylant is the author of more than 100 books for young people, including the beloved Henry and Mudge, Annie and Snowball, Brownie & Pearl, Motor Mouse, Hornbeam, and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Her novel Missing May received the Newbery Medal. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Suçie Stevenson is the acclaimed author and illustrator of more than fifty books for children and is best known as the illustrator of the popular Henry and Mudge books by Cynthia Rylant. She lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her little cocker spaniel, Gracie.