Written by Newbery winner and prolific author Cynthia Rylant, the Henry & Mudge books make a comfortable, imaginative, perfectly imperfect series about a boy named Henry and his lovable companion, Mudge, who happens to be a really, really big, drooly dog. Whether they’re on an adventure to the beach, spending time with their cousin Annie at a family reunion, or just enjoying a rainy day at home, these two always seem to be having a good time together.

I especially like that this series is designed in a format for beginning readers. Cole and his classmates read a ton of these in 1st grade, and I expect that Harper will read them next year, too. But just in case she finds them a bit too rugged for her taste, I was happy to discover that cousin Annie has her very own series of books now, too!