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Henry's Picture-Perfect Day (Henry, #3)
CCBC Review:
Unlike his classmates, Henry (East Asian) is not excited for class picture day. His striped shirt is irritating: the collar too close to his ears, the cuffs too tight around his wrists. And the buttons? They’re never ending! Worse, Vivianne tells Henry that her mom says stripes make a person look taller—but Henry is not taller, which makes his shirt a liar. When the photographer is running late, the class munches on some mess-free carrots in the meantime—and Henry’s tooth starts to wiggle, leading to a degree of chaos. Vivianne frets that a loose tooth will “ruin [their] picture,” but despite his classmates’ efforts, the tooth will not be secured; to the contrary, it falls out and gets lost in the shuffle. Could it be one of those white specks in the soil of the potted plants? Better dig to find out. By the time the tooth is located, Henry’s shirt is streaked with dirt. Surely this will ruin their picture, Vivianne says. Ms. Tanaka, though, is reassuring. “Pictures are meant to show special times and special friends. That is all.” Henry takes this to heart. The class picture was “not about a shirt. Henry did not have to be perfect. He just had to be Henry.” This latest installment about Henry, who thrives on routine and is likely neurodivergent, is charming, reassuring, and full of humorous classroom antics. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Mika Song
CCBC Age Recommendation: 4-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Autism Spectrum
Difference/Individuality
East Asian People
School
Diversity subject:
Asian
Cognitive/Neurological Disability/Condition
Publisher:
Chronicle
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9781797230252
CCBC Location: Fiction, Bailey