Baloney, Henry P.

Title: Baloney, Henry P.

Author: Jon Sciezka

Illustrator: Lane Smith

Target Age Range: 2-5 years

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Picture Book

Baloney, Henry P. is a picture book for young audiences that will have them laughing by the use of language to explain away his excuses for being late to class. When Henry is threatened with permanent, lifelong detention, he needs to come up with one very good excuse. This alien schoolkid gives the reader an unbelievable trip into a wild, creative universe of deep space excuses for late attendance to class.

About the Author Jon Sciezka

Jon is the author of several bestselling children's books including The Skinky Cheese Man and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. "I read everything — comic books, newspapers, cereal boxes, poems — anything with writing on it. My favorite things to read are fairy tales, myths, and legends. When I'm not reading, I listen to music, watch cartoons, and sit in my chair and just think about stuff. I've always thought about being an author. One of the first books I read was Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss. It made me realize that books could be goofy. It's the book that made The Stinky Cheese Man possible!

My motto in writing is: “Never underestimate the intelligence of your audience.” Kids can be silly and smart!

About the Illustrator Lane Smith

Lane Smith is an American illustrator and author. He is most noted for his work on children's books. Smith has illustrated works by Florence Parry Heide, Judith Viorst, Bob Shea, Dr. Seuss, Jack Prelutsky, Eve Merriam, Roald Dahl and George Saunders.  He is also known for several children's picture books created with the writer Jon Scieszka. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What inference can you make with the illustration on the cover?
2. Why is Henry in trouble?
3. How does his explain his lateness to class?
4. Does the language make sense to the reader?
5. How do context clues help us understand the alien words like zimulus and torraku?
6. How do the illustration help us understand the alien language?
7. What is the main theme in the text?
8. Does the title suit the story?

Motivational Activities

• Students list each word that is in the alien language and with collaborative groups discuss what they mean.
• As a class, create your own language by substituting words for pencil, desk, chalkboard, homework, and book. Think of other words that you want to use. Students will use creativity to explain why they have no homework for class.
• Individually, students write a paragraph that informs the reader about the characters and summary of the book. Create an illustration.

 

Other books by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

Knights of the Kitchen Table

Math Curse

Science Verse

Squids Will Be Squids

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Scieszka, Jon. (2005) Baloney, Henry P. New York, NY: Puffin Books.