The Story of Horrible Hilda and Henry - Hardcover

Clark, Emma Chichester

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0370312449 ISBN 13: 9780370312446

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 1988

Synopsis

Hilda and Henry are such beastly children that their parents decide to ship them off to the nearest zoo where they meet their match in an encounter with the king of the jungle

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Hilda and Henry Hatter truly are horrors. From food fights to furniture destruction, their antics and mischief drive their poor parents to distraction. What better fate for these devilish siblings than that they be unceremoniously deposited in the city zoo! Undaunted, the terrible two turn their naughty attentions to the innocent animals, which they harass and pester with a variety of bizarre tricks. Only when the disgusted zookeeper puts them in the cage with Brian, a ferocious and supposedly bad-tempered lion, do Hilda and Henry begin to rue their unseemly behavior. They are genuinely grateful when their parents agree to take them home. Repenting their former evil ways is insufficient, however. Brian is invited to come and look after them. Becoming "Helpful" Hilda and Henry, they insure Brian's benevolence through exemplary behavior. Alert readers will notice, however, that this rehabilitation may not be permanent. The quirky humor of this British import should appeal to young listeners. The cartoon-like illustrations, reminiscent of Tony Ross or Quentin Blake, add an appropriate light touch to the proceedings. Fans of Sendak's Pierre (Harper, 1962) will respond to this similar cautionary tale. --Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Because Hilda and Henry are terribly disobedient, their parents put them in the zoo. At the zoo, the children turn out to be "wilder than any of the animals," so the zookeeper encloses them with Brian the bad-tempered lion. Terrorized by Brian, who devours their food and petrifies them with his roar, Hilda and Henry quickly repent of their obnoxious ways, and their parents take them home--but invite Brian along as well, just to keep Hilda and Henry in line. Clark's illustrations are vibrant and colorful, comprised of bold, contrasting purples, blues and greens. The irony of Hilda and Henry wreaking havoc upon the animals provides much of the story's offbeat humor, such as the snakes being tied into knots and their subsequent plea, "Please untie us!" The book's ending strongly implies that more havoc from these two seemingly repentant children is imminent--a twist that should appeal and amuse. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
• Publication date: 1988
• ISBN 10: 0370312449
• ISBN 13: 9780370312446
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32