Meet breezy, free spirit Henrietta P. Hoppenbeck, who describes herself as “half a hen and half a Rietta” (26). In this imaginative and unusual chapter book, Henrietta tells, in a free-flowing, informal style, about her brother, Albert; her mom and dad; her dog and two pet mice; her best friend, Olive; and the imaginary “Rietta” from the “Island of Rietta,” which she, and only she, has visited. The innovative graphic design, with its many black, white, and red cartoon-style illustrations and frequently changing fonts adds to the zaniness of Henrietta’s warm, funny narrative about herself and her family life. Henrietta (the Great Go-Getter) was published in 2007. hc

Originally published by Allen & Unwin Australia, in 2004.

Judy Moody, Clarice Bean, and Junie B. Jones have a new best friend. Introducing Henrietta!

Henrietta has a habit of making things up.

Some things are true: Henrietta has a baby brother the size of a sock (almost), a crazy brown dog named Madge, and a constant hunger for chocolate ripple cake. She is good at explorification and making her dad's undies into a superb hat. Other things are not true: Henrietta says she can keep a secret. She cannot.

But if Henrietta has a big habit of making things up, she has a bigger habit of making things fun, even little brothers and hamsters. So come meet Henrietta, and make an irresistible, irrepressible new friend.