In Classroom Ten, Mrs. Tanaka keeps a predictable schedule. To Henry’s satisfaction, the Big Calendar looks the same every week—except for this Monday, when Mrs. Tanaka makes an unexpected announcement. In lieu of Friday afternoon Share Time, the class will have a special parade. Distressed by the disruption to his routine, Henry, who is autistic, feels off-kilter the entire week. During Art Time, he stubbornly makes a poster for Share Time rather than for the parade. He dislikes the jangle of the tambourine he’s given to play during Music Time. And during the rescheduled Share Time, Henry leaves class with a stomachache—Thursday is not the right day for Share Time. On Friday, though, Henry, who appears Asian, and his classmate, Samuel, make a trade: Samuel will play Henry’s tambourine during the parade, and Henry will don the soft, noise-blocking marching band hat that Samuel was going to wear as parade leader. Each of the boys is pleased with this solution, and much more comfortable with his new item and role. Watercolor and ink illustrations with soft blue accents accompany this perfectly paced early chapter book about a resourceful boy. (Ages 4-8)

A Schneider Family Book Award Winner
A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book
A NPR 2023 Books We Love Pick
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2023
A 2023 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book

A beginning chapter book series based on the award-winning picture book, A Friend for Henry!

Henry likes Classroom Ten. He likes how it is always the same. But this week, Henry's class will have a parade, and a parade means having Share Time on the wrong day. A parade means playing instruments that are too loud. A parade means this week is not like always.

Join Henry as he navigates the ups and downs of marker missiles, stomach volcanoes, and days that feel a little too orange. From the creators of the Schneider Family Honor-winning picture book A Friend for Henry, this warmly funny book starring a child on the autism spectrum is a reassuring read for school-bound kids of all stripes.

GREAT FOR BEGINNING READERS: With short chapters and simple text, this book is perfect for newly independent readers who are just moving into longer books.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Familiar school scenarios—from new schedules to making new friends—are portrayed with humor and understanding in this series that will appeal to and reassure any child starting or continuing in school.

DIVERSE STORIES: Representing neurodivergent kids is a vital aspect of expanding diverse representation across books for all ages. Henry, Like Always provides a mirror and a window for kids on the autism spectrum and their friends to see themselves in the stories they read.

AN AWARD-WINNING TEAM: Jenn Bailey and Mika Song were awarded a Schneider Family Honor Award for their picture book A Friend for Henry. See how the story continues in this classic-feeling early reader series based on the same character!

Perfect for:

• Newly independent readers
• An excellent resource for parents of kids on the spectrum
• Librarians, teachers, and booksellers looking for a children's book that offers a window into the experience of autism
• A reassuring read for kids with varying levels of social anxiety
• Gift-givers looking for a sweet and relatable book about friendship