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Review: Henry and the Something New

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Written by Jenn Bailey
Illustrated by Mika Song
San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2024. Easy Reader. 48 pages.

Henry is back with new challenges to face in this second installment of Jenn Bailey's beginning chapter book series featuring a main character on the autism spectrum. This time Henry's class is headed to the museum, everyone is really excited, but Henry is not-so-sure. He knows he'll face differences in his routine, however his love of dinosaurs motivates him to try something new. Will he be able to find his beloved dinosaurs amidst all the changes and experiences he'll encounter in a new place? Will it be worth it? Come along, and find out!

A gentle story about trying new things in the face of adversity, Henry and the Something New, deals compassionately with some of the unique challenges faced by those on the autism spectrum. Relatable scenarios and characters make this a book a win for all --whether you are personally on the spectrum or just hoping to encourage empathy and understanding for those individuals who are, this is a sweet introduction to this topic.   

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