Horrid Henry’s Monster Movie

Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry's Monster Movie is four short, funny stories for 6 year olds, starting with Henry setting out to make the scariest film ever.

What happens

Henry loves scary films. Perfect Peter hates them (even Santa saying ho ho ho too loudly makes him jump). So when Rude Ralph gets hold of The Vampire Zombie Werewolf on DVD, Henry's first on the sofa.

It turns out to be rubbish. The monsters mostly argue about kissing. Henry decides he could do far better himself, grabs Mom's camcorder and sets to work. Peter has to be in it, so Henry makes him the "best boy". That means running the snack table, obviously. Meanwhile Moody Margaret is making a rival film next door. What could possibly go wrong?

In the second story the family spends a weekend at Rich Aunt Ruby's enormous house with Stuck-Up Steve, Henry's least favourite cousin, and Steve's friend. Two against one, and a collapsing bunk bed, means Operation Revenge.

The third is about grump cards. Mum and Dad hand them out for exceptionally good behaviour, and one card wipes out any punishment. Peter has seven and has never used a single one (what a waste!). Henry has none. Guess who wants them most?

In the last story Henry dreads the school Olympics, so he runs his own instead. There are events like candy speed-eating, and a mountain of chocolate prizes piled up on his bed. You can imagine how long that lasts.

Each story is short enough for one sitting, and the names do half the work. Anxious Andrew covers his eyes before the film even starts. Vain Violet turns out to be a speed hairdresser (poor Weepy William). Henry is outrageous, selfish and very funny, and he gets his comeuppance often enough that it never feels mean.

One thing a British parent will spot is that this is the American edition. So it's Mom, candy and recess rather than Mum, sweets and playtime, and prices are in dollars. Some readers won't even notice. Others might want to talk about it.

What to read next

If Henry's monster obsession is the bit they love, Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire has him convinced that two teachers at his school are zombie vampires, with a checklist from a confiscated comic to prove it.