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I Am Henry Finch    by Alexis Deacon & Viviane Schwarz Amazon.com order for
I Am Henry Finch
by Alexis Deacon
Order:  USA  Can
Candlewick, 2015 (2015)
Hardcover, Softcover
*   Reviewed by Bob Walch

When you open this picture book, you'll discover a flock of finches who make a lot of noise no one really appreciates. That situation is suddenly altered when one of the birds named Henry decides to begin thinking for himself and not just accepting whatever the flock does.

Then, before you can say 'Turn the page!', Henry decides to take on the green monster who enjoys harassing the flock. Unfortunately, rather than vanquish this adversary, Henry is eaten by the monster. Oh dear, you'll say, that's not good!

Fortunately, the monster never learned to chew his food so the little bird is still in one piece, although he is now inside the creature in its stomach. I'll let you discover how Henry deals with this precarious situation and is reunited with his flock.

Needless to say, this is a rather odd story and one younger readers may find troubling even though Henry does overcome some major obstacles the author invents. While perhaps an older child will find this story amusing, I'd be careful about using it with a three or four year old. Henry may have learned to think for himself in this tale but the way this realization unfolds is a bit bizarre to say the least!

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