I can believe I forgot to review this one, apologies, this was actually one I read to my son many times and he loved it. A warm and fuzzy book, beautifully illustrated. A lovely book for all little ones.

What an adorable story! Henry is sad and lonely (always tugs at my heart strings), and his parents take him to the animal shelter to find him a puppy. Some people may think this isn't the best idea if a child wants a human friend, but animals can give children, especially shy children, a confidence boost, which is why the reading to rover program is so successful. A really cute book that I highly recommend.

Beautiful illustrations with a delightful story. I liked the message or lesson -- it is a good story to read to a little one that is looking for a friend or learning to make friends. Maybe they are having trouble or they have moved to a new place or starting a new school. This sweet story is a special story of a boy finding that one special furry friend, but he might be finding a little more too. It is a comforting story, I think, helping for those feeling lonely and not knowing what to do to find a friend. The rhyming writing is well done as well.

My 8 yr old grandson read this in about 10 minutes. He has a 5th grade reading level, and had no problems reading this. He said it was short and would like to read more about Henry. That tells me he enjoyed it. Thank you.

This was a delightful little picture book about being different and friendship. I thought the art style was absolutely adorable!

A perfect book for young readers who feel alone in the world and that use their imagination to keep their boredom at bay.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A sweet story about a young boy named Henry who is always lonely, so his parents decide he needs a new friend. On his way to the pet store he thinks of all the wild and silly pets he might get, but once at the pet store he finds a lonely puppy who just wants a friend. The adorable twosome make a perfect pair, and Henry gets the friend he's always wanted. I found the illustrations were beautifully done, and the story was perfect for young children. I feel like this would make a great bed time story. Short, sweet, and leaves you with warm, fuzzy thoughts.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate it!

A great bed time story with a wonderful learning experience for kids of any age. My kids loved the rhyming and even more so the illustrations. My son connected with this one especially he is at an age where friends come and go every now and then. He loved the rhyming and couldn't help but laugh a time or two.

I loved this! The fun rhyming text flowed nicely. The pictures were bright and fun. I loved the silly animals that Henry thought of. I loved the message about getting a pet from a shelter rather than a store. Just loved it!
#netgalley

Henry Hodges Needs a Friend is a sweet story about a lonely boy who doesn't have any friends who live nearby. He doesn't like toys, and just wants someone to play with. His parents agree to get him a unique pet, and he spends lots of time daydreaming about what the perfect special pet will be. Kids will love seeing what funny pets Henry dreams up, and would love to create one of their own too! A fun read for any lower elementary classroom or family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S for providing me with an e-copy to read and review. Henry Hodges Needs a Friend was published March 3, 2015.

This book was okay but I'm not sure about the overall impressions I get from it. Henry is bored, lonely, and without a friend nearby. His parents decide to get him a pet (obviously a dog from the cover). I'm all for getting a pet for your kid to be friends with (having a pet has many benefits) but why doesn't Henry just invite friends over from time to time or go to their house? does he have friends at school? Just seems like these's something missing from the story and it leaves me skeptical.

The illustrations are fantastic. They're so smooth, bright and colorful. I did laugh at the funny imaginings Henry had of what his new friend might be like. The narrative told in abab rhyme scheme was a nice touch as well.

Henry was such an adorable kid in the book. Story was narrated in rhymes about Henry Hodge who was very lonely and sad as he doesn’t like to play toys and never had friends. To make him happy his parents suggested to give him a pet as friend, a one-of-a-kind. I instantly like the story at this point. I loved his parent’s approach.

Little Henry made all different imaginary animal which gave the story humorous touch. I liked that one alliteration too, it was funny and cute. The list of imaginary animals can also act as exercise or lesson for children to correct wrong things in animals by right one and also to guess which animal Henry will chose as a pet. Illustrations were colorful and very creative including all the details that children would love to explore all the pages.

Very base of the story was thoughtful and beautiful. As said in the blurb, at some point in life every child (in my opinion even adults) feels they are alone. They struggle to fit in the world around them and that can made them so depressed and sad. No one is always alone and without friend, God sends someone to everyone, a one-of-a-kind friend, and that can be animals as well.

Overall, every child would love to read this book and it’s a perfect picture book that parents and teachers want for their children.

great book. My son loved the cover and he sat very happy to hear the story. Huge thumbs up from both us

this book is absolutely adorable! the illustrations are beautiful and the story is very uplifting. i also enjoyed that there were words that "stand out," which is great when reading together with your child. living in a rural secluded area i think my son will relate to harry and this story. cheers to the author for subliminally showcasing the importance of adoption as well.

A 5 Star+ cozy good story told in humorous rhyme about a boy whose loneliness is cured by getting a dog. Great Illustrations by Colleen Madden. Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ebook for review.

This was a nice read. My children liked it and it opened opportunities for conversation on Jesus being the Ultimate Friend that will never leave us and wants to walk through our days with us. He is faithful to lead us to the friends He wants us to befriend for Kingdom purposes. And along the way He is beyond amazing to know us intimately and add blessings to our lives in the way of pets and critters. We have had our fair share over the years and we count each one a blessing. I really loved the author’s way of descriptive/creative one-of-a-kind searches. They had us laughing out loud! Pick this one up and read it to your littles.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Henry Hodges Needs a Friend by Andy Andrews, published by Thomas Nelson, is the story of a lonely boy and how he needs a friend and finds one along the way. The story is told in rhyming cadence which is pleasant to read and listen to, and would lend itself well to story time about pets at the library. This is a great book for young readers, and it has some humor before Henry finally finds a friend. This book is recommended for public libraries, Christian schools and preschools, home schooling, and for gift giving. The pictures are bright and colorful and engage the reader/listener.

Henry Hodges Needs a Friend is a children's book written by Andy Andrews. Andy is a wonderful Christian story-teller. I've read a few of his books and have thoroughly enjoyed them. He does a wonderful job of interjecting feeling into his stories. Henry Hodges is one of those stories.

Henry is a young boy living with his mother and father, and he is lonely. He doesn't have any friends who live nearby. Using clever rhyme, Andy Andrews tells Henry's story. Henry's imagination is vivid. He desperately wants a friend, and his mind imagines the interesting animal friends he could have.

Ultimately, Henry's parents promise him that he is going to get a new friend, a puppy. Henry is delighted to meet his new friend and calls him "Hap," for Happy. No longer lonely and sad, Henry understands that God knows what we need and will provide.

The illustrations in this book are colorful and enjoyable.

My three year old thoroughly enjoyed Henry's story, and I believe this book would be appropriate for preschoolers through first or second grade.

I'm looking forward to reading more Andy Andrews stories!

My son thought this book was ok. He liked the puppy dog. He also liked all the bright colors as well as the fact that it was easy for him to read. He said it was good for a one time story. I offered to read it to him again and he told me no.

Henry is unlucky when it comes to friends! He's alone, ever! Because no one lived near him and he didn't liked toys.
He was bored everyday! His parents cheer him by promising to find a friend, as unique as him!
Henry thinks a lot as what his new friend would be like? Crazy imaginations flood his mind. Like how about a cow who gives chocolate milk? Or a figure skating hippo?
And then Henry chooses a lonely pup and names him Hap and they've a fun time together.
He was happy, no more bored or alone!
His parents just knew what he needed, just like God knows what we need when we are sad.
Amazing illustrations.

I enjoyed the story of Henry and his search for a friend. It was a creative and imaginative story with all of the different "friends" Henry imagined. The pictures made my seven year old chuckle. The story was light and whimsical in nature but had a deeper meaning. Friends are an important part of life and God will provide us with just the friend we need.