Henry’s big sister helps to turn his worries around with brighter what-ifs in this loving sibling story

Henry’s birthday party is approaching, and the most exciting part is that Marty, the coolest kid in Henry’s class, is coming! Everybody wants Marty at their party. But as Henry lies awake one night, his head spins with anxious thoughts. What if Marty doesn’t have fun? What if she doesn’t like his dog, or his apartment, or his Grandma’s confetti cake?

From the top bunk, Henry’s big sister, Sam, gently puts a positive spin on each of Henry’s worries. What if Marty adores dogs? What if she loves their apartment? What if she asks for a third piece of cake? “How do you know all that stuff will happen?” Henry asks his sister as he begins to drift off to sleep. “I don’t,” Sam replies wisely. “But neither do you.”

Told in a graphic novel format with a warm color palette, this story is a loving portrait of a strong sibling relationship that may offer readers a new way to work through their own worries.

KATIE ARTHUR is a writer and illustrator who lives with her family on the rocky shores of Northeastern Nova Scotia. Inspired by her curious and creature-loving daughters, she stops to say hello anytime a woolly bear caterpillar crosses her path. She hopes now you will too. This is Katie’s first book.

Katie Arthur's profile page

"A reassuring story of family and friendship ... Henry will help many children feel better about their worries, ­making this a good choice for early elementary c­ollections in need of contemporary graphic novels."

School Library Journal