Congratulations to Cynthia Rylant and Suçie Stevenson, the winners, in 2006, of the first annual Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for " . . . the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature known as beginning reader books . . ." Children have long loved this groundbreaking easy chapter book series, now numbering more than 25, about a little boy and his beloved dog, a slobbery but ever amiable Saint Bernard. In this installment, Henry and Mudge and Henry’s parents visit Great-Grandpa Bill who is very old and lives in a house with a lot of other old grandpas who pass the time playing checkers and eating spaghetti. Looking for adventure in the woods, the boy and his dog discover a pond nearby. Henry, his dad, and all the grandpas then head out for the pond, the grandpas leaning on Mudge when they get tired, and go swimming in their skivvies.

According to the website of the Association for Library Services to Children, the Geisel Award, named for beloved children’s author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss, “is to recognize the author(s) and illustrator(s) of a beginning reader book who demonstrate great creativity and imagination in his/her/their literary and artistic achievements to engage children in reading." To find more information about this wonderful prize, including other winners, go to www.ala.org, click on Awards & Scholarships, and scroll down till you find the Geisel Award.


Themes: DOGS. ELDERLY. GRANDFATHERS. THEODOR SEUSS GEISEL MEDAL.