The Tuesday Review: "Henry and Mudge: The First Book," a classic beginning reader by Cynthia Rylant

Henry was an only child who lived in a neighborhood without any children. When Henry asked for a brother or sister or to live on a different street with kids, his parents said, "Sorry." But then when he asked for a dog, they said, "Okay." And that's how Henry got Mudge.

When he first arrived, Mudge was little. But he grew and grew, and Henry was glad. Henry was happy that Mudge could walk to school with him. Mudge was happy just being with Henry, especially climbing up on his bed and smelling Henry.

Then one day, Mudge gets lost. Mudge can't smell Henry or hear him calling. And Henry can't understand why Mudge left.

Will Henry and Mudge find each other?

This is a Level 2 "Ready-to-Read" book and is the first book in the Henry and Mudge series, an entertaining set of books for a beginning reader.