Henry & Mudge Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Henry & Mudge

For young readers transitioning into chapter books, Cynthia Rylant’s Henry & Mudge is a foundational series. Because each book is written as a self-contained story, you do not strictly need to read them in order. However, we highly recommend starting with the very first book to see how Henry’s relationship with Mudge begins, and then following the publication order to watch the duo grow together through the seasons.

The main series consists of 28 core books published between 1987 and 2006. Below is the complete reading path in recommended chronological and publication order:

1. Henry and Mudge: The First Book (1987) – The essential starting point that introduces how a lonely boy named Henry adopts a tiny puppy named Mudge, who eventually grows into a massive, 182-pound English Mastiff.
2. Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble (1987) – A collection of spring stories focusing on puddle splashing, flower picking, and finding a family of kittens.
3. Henry and Mudge in the Green Time (1987) – Warm summer adventures featuring a picnic, a hike, and imaginative outdoor play.
4. Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon (1987) – Fall-themed stories about leaves, Halloween, and cozy indoor moments.
5. Henry and Mudge in the Sparkle Days (1988) – Classic winter stories exploring snow days, Christmas Eve walks, and cooking together.
6. Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea (1989) – Henry and Mudge enjoy a family summer day trip to the beach.
7. Henry and Mudge Get the Cold Shivers (1989) – Mudge gets sick and has to visit the veterinarian, testing Henry’s caregiving skills.
8. Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat (1990) – The duo takes in a funny-looking stray cat who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Mudge.
9. Henry and Mudge and the Bedtime Thumps (1991) – A cozy story about visiting his grandmother’s house and dealing with nighttime fears.
10. Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test (1991) – Mudge goes to dog training school to learn basic manners, with plenty of humorous mishaps along the way.
11. Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend (1992) – When trapped indoors by bad weather, Henry and Mudge build a cardboard castle in the basement.
12. Henry and Mudge and the Wild Wind (1993) – A reassuring tale helping early readers cope with fear of loud summer storms.
13. Henry and Mudge and the Careful Cousin (1994) – Introduces Henry's neat-and-tidy cousin Annie, who slowly learns to love Mudge's messy nature.
14. Henry and Mudge and the Best Day of All (1995) – Celebrating Henry’s birthday with games, cake, and a surprise puppy party.
15. Henry and Mudge in the Family Trees (1997) – Henry and Mudge attend a large, chaotic, and fun family reunion.
16. Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers (1999) – The duo plays detective using a spy kit and deciphers secret messages.
17. Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night (1999) – A family camping trip under the stars filled with hiking, campfire songs, and sleeping in tents.
18. Henry and Mudge and Annie’s Good Move (2000) – Henry helps his cousin Annie feel better about moving into a house next door.
19. Henry and Mudge and the Snowman Plan (2000) – Henry enters a snowman-building contest with Mudge acting as his helper.
20. Henry and Mudge and Annie’s Perfect Pet (2001) – Cousin Annie wants a pet of her own, eventually choosing a quiet bunny named Snowball.
21. Henry and Mudge and the Tall Tree House (2002) – Henry gets a brand new treehouse, but has to figure out how to make Mudge feel included since his dog cannot climb the ladder.
22. Henry and Mudge and Mrs. Hopper’s House (2003) – A cozy story where Henry and Mudge spend the evening with a quirky neighbor when his parents go out.
23. Henry and Mudge and the Funny Lunch (2004) – Henry makes a creative Mother's Day lunch for his mom with Mudge's enthusiastic assistance.
24. Henry and Mudge and the Wild Goose Chase (2003) – A neighborhood adventure where the pair encounters a grumpy goose at a local farm.
25. Henry and Mudge and a Very Merry Christmas (2004) – Holiday celebrations featuring good food, family gatherings, and Christmas presents for Mudge.
26. Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas (2005) – Henry and Mudge visit Henry’s Great Grandpa Bill and his friends at an active retirement home.
27. Henry and Mudge and the Tumbling Trip (2005) – The family goes on a road trip, with Mudge trying out gymnastic mats along the way.
28. Henry and Mudge and the Big Sleepover (2006) – The final entry in the core series, where Henry gets to have a fun slumber party in the attic with his friends and his faithful dog.

Understanding the Henry & Mudge Collections

In addition to the 28 standalone readers, publisher Simon & Schuster has released themed compilation books and omnibus collections. These include titles like Best Friends (2001), Days with Henry & Mudge (2001), Seasons with Henry & Mudge (2001), and Summer Fun (2002). These are not new stories, but rather handy compilations that package three or four previously published classics together under a single cover, making them excellent choices for libraries and long car rides.

Spin-Offs and Companion Series

The success of Henry & Mudge spawned two wonderful companion series written by Cynthia Rylant, perfect for keeping young readers engaged as they build literacy skills:

Puppy Mudge (Pre-Level 1)

Designed for even younger children just starting to sound out words, the Puppy Mudge books serve as a prequel set. They feature simpler sentences and larger font sizes, detailing Mudge's early days as a small, energetic puppy learning basic concepts. Key titles include Puppy Mudge Finds a Friend, Puppy Mudge Has a Snack, and Puppy Mudge Wants to Play.

Annie and Snowball (Level 2)

After being introduced in the main series, Henry's cousin Annie and her pet rabbit Snowball received their own spin-off series. Spanning 13 books, this series is also written at a Level 2 Ready-to-Read standard. It focuses on Annie's love for dresses, tea parties, and the warm domestic adventures she shares with her father, her cousin Henry, and her soft white bunny. It begins with Annie and Snowball and the Dress-up Birthday and concludes with Annie and Snowball and the Wedding Day.

What to Know Before You Start

Author Cynthia Rylant drew inspiration for the books from her own childhood in rural West Virginia and her lifelong love of animals. Each page features the whimsical, warm, cartoon-style illustrations of Suçie Stevenson, which help readers decode the text through visual context. The series is classified as Level 2 in the Ready-to-Read hierarchy, meaning it uses longer sentences, basic chapter structures, and high-interest topics designed for kids who are starting to read independently. The series is so beloved that it even inspired an Off-Broadway musical adaptation by Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk, celebrating the timeless, gentle bond between a boy and his dog.