A FRIEND FOR HENRY: Empathy and Insight

If you missed my post about HENRY THE BOY (Penny Candy Books), I hope you'll click back to that post (HERE) and take a few minutes to read it. The HENRY in today's post is not the same boy, but they have much in common. If you read that post (better still, read the book) you will note that HENRY of HENRY THE BOY is quite a confident and self-aware young person. You'll also note that it is his external differences that affect his interactions with peers. 

Chronicle Books, 2019

A FRIEND FOR HENRY is written by Jenny Bailey and illustrated by Mika Song. The Henry who stars in this recent picture book appears to be a few years younger than Henry of the first title, but they otherwise have many things in common. Both want to have friends, both have issues that affect their ability to interact with peers in "typical" ways, and both experience complications when it comes to making friends. 
I greatly admire the ways in which both author and illustrator have revealed younger Henry's personality and needs. What appears to be a third person narration, including some dialogue, which gradually invites readers to view the story unfolding as an inner voice, a peek inside Henry's head. 
At no point is Henry labeled. No reference is made to being on a spectrum, to rigidity, to being high-functioning, or any of the other designations that are becoming catch phrases among  the general public. 
Assumptions are shattered, in the subtlest of ways, revealing that Henry does not "prefer" to be alone, but is, in fact, eager for a friend. He adheres firmly to a sort of checklist of criteria and rules to determine who COULD be a friend, the kind of friend he wants and needs.
Text makes clear that Henry is observational, often standing apart to gather information. He holds firm to his conclusions about others but is capable of growth. Henry has strong preferences (in colors, locations, activities) but but he CAN adjust, if given a chance. 

There is a strong (and overdue) push to represent our diverse world in all books, but especially in books for young children. This picture book succeeds in terms of externals (skin tones and ethnicities) but I was even more charmed and delighted to note that Henry (and readers) will identify personality and temperament differences, too. Henry notes the patterns of his peers (activity and noise levels, bossy/sharing tendencies, and others) and is aware of his own reactions to those personal styles. 
The two titles could be shared and compared, with similarities and differences noted. Both also offer rich resources for discussions about finding, making, repairing, and keeping friendships. Some amazing conversations about the illustration styles, color tones, and moods of the two books will arise, along with distinct preferences between the two approaches. 
As a side note, Henry seems to be a popular name these days. If you have a Henry (or two) in your home or class or library group, you will have some very enthusiastic readers!