The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Bagley, Jessixa

Henry and Bea

40 pp. | Holiday/Porter | October, 2019 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8234-4284-3 $18.99

(2) K-3 Henry and Bea are best friends until, seemingly for no reason, Henry withdraws. "What did I do?" Bea asks. "Just leave me alone," Henry answers. Finally, on a field trip Bea discovers the reason--Henry's beloved cat has died. Bagley (Boats for Papa) controls pacing and tempo through a mix of vignettes and full-bleed spreads. A welcome addition to books about grief; believable and affirming in its acknowledgment of friendship's ups and downs.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019