Story Time with Children's Writer Jenn Bailey, Author of "Henry, Like Always"

About the Event

Henry wants to invite you to Classroom Ten’s normally scheduled Share Time.

What Henry means is he wants you to join him for Classroom Ten’s special parade! For Henry, who is on the autism spectrum, the parade is a little scary. Everything is going to be loud because of the musical instruments his friends are playing, and the week’s schedule will be different than he’s used to. But with the support of his friends, the parade might turn out to be pretty fun after all!

Enjoy the parade alongside our friend Henry on March 25, 10 a.m., at the Raven Book Store! Kansas City author Jenn Bailey will be hosting a story time where she’ll talk about her beginning chapter book Henry, Like Always, with time at the end for kiddos to ask her all of their big and brilliant questions.

Henry, Like Always is a beginning chapter book geared towards readers ages 6 to 9. Kids of all ages are welcome to join in on the joy of Henry’s story!

Henry, Like Always: Book 1 is as sweet as it is important. It's a beautiful, healing thing to see a neurodivergent child, or anyone who struggles with being different, find their own way within the literal and metaphorical parade of sparkling, buzzing, and floating.
—Jack, Raven Bookseller and Co-Owner


About the Author

Jenn Bailey is an author, editor, blue-ribbon pie baker, and eager traveler. She received her MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Born and raised in Rhode Island, she now calls Leawood, Kansas, home. She lives there with her husband, three sons, and numerous cats and dogs.


About the Book

A beginning chapter book series based on the award-winning picture book, A Friend for Henry!

Henry likes Classroom Ten. He likes how it is always the same. But this week, Henry's class will have a parade, and a parade means having Share Time on the wrong day. A parade means playing instruments that are too loud. A parade means this week is not like always.

Join Henry as he navigates the ups and downs of marker missiles, stomach volcanoes, and days that feel a little too orange. From the creators of the Schneider Family Honor-winning picture book A Friend for Henry, this warmly funny book starring a child on the autism spectrum is a reassuring read for school-bound kids of all stripes.

GREAT FOR BEGINNING READERS: With short chapters and simple text, this book is perfect for newly independent readers who are just moving into longer books.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Familiar school scenarios—from new schedules to making new friends—are portrayed with humor and understanding in this series that will appeal to and reassure any child starting or continuing in school.

DIVERSE STORIES: Representing neurodivergent kids is a vital aspect of expanding diverse representation across books for all ages. Henry, Like Always provides a mirror and a window for kids on the autism spectrum and their friends to see themselves in the stories they read.

AN AWARD-WINNING TEAM: Jenn Bailey and Mika Song were awarded a Schneider Family Honor Award for their picture book A Friend for Henry. See how the story continues in this classic-feeling early reader series based on the same character!


Event date: 
Saturday, March 25, 2023 - 10:00am to 11:00am
Event address: 
Raven Book Store
809 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
Staff Pick Badge
Henry, Like Always: Book 1 By Jenn Bailey, Mika Song (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Jenn Bailey, Mika Song (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9781797213897
Availability: This book is backordered. We'll happily get it for you but we're not sure how long it'll take.
Published: Chronicle Books - March 21st, 2023

A Schneider Family Book Award Winner 
A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book 
A NPR 2023 Books We Love Pick
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2023 
A 2023 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book 

A beginning chapter book series based on the award-winning picture book, A Friend for Henry


A Friend for Henry: (Books About Making Friends, Children's Friendship Books, Autism Awareness Books for Kids) By Jenn Bailey, Mika Song (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Jenn Bailey, Mika Song (Illustrator)
$16.99
ISBN: 9781452167916
Availability: In stock at our distributor’s warehouse; will be at the Raven in 3-10 bus. days! More at ravenbookstore.com/ordering-faqs
Published: Chronicle Books - February 26th, 2019

A heartwarming picture book that explores the experience of autism and the power of friendship.

A 2020 Schneider Family Honor Book

In Classroom Six, second left down the hall, Henry has been on the lookout for a friend. A friend who shares. A friend who listens. Maybe even a friend who likes things to stay the same and all in order, as Henry does.