For years, actor and author Henry Winkler has had great success with his Hank Zipzer series for middle grade readers. Now, together with author Lin Oliver, he’s sharing Hank’s adventures from his younger years in the “Here’s Hank” series, aimed at readers 6-8 years old.
My 1st grade son and I recently read Here’s Hank: Fake Snakes and Weird Wizards together. It’s the 4th book in the series, though each book can actually stand on its own.
About the book…
Hank’s sister Emily wants Ralph’s Reptile Show to perform at her birthday party more than anything, but Ralph is booked solid. So Hank comes up with a plan: he’ll disguise himself as a magician called The Westside Wizard and pull a snake from thin air! But when Hank’s true identity is revealed during his performance, his good deed might just turn into a huge disaster.
Fake Snakes and Weird Wizards is full of comedy and fun adventures, all fabulously illustrated by Scott Garrett. My son giggled several times and really enjoyed each of the characters. The book features an easy-to-read font designed especially for dyslexic readers – a cause close to Winkler’s heart, as he’s dyslexic himself.
Reading Fake Snakes and Weird Wizards together with my son made for some great discussion. At the end of story I asked him questions like:
- What was Hank trying to do in this story?
- Why was he trying to do it?
- Who was trying to help him?
- What kind of brother do you think Hank was to his sister?
- What do you think about Hank’s friends?
- What are ways we can help others?
It was a fun book to read and talk about together.
What books are you are your children reading and talking about these days?
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my nephew loved these types of books.
We read books about farms, animals, Dr. Seuss and Goodnight Moon as well as I Spy. What a delight this is. thanks.
My grandson would like this book. He loves me to read any kind of book to him – especially Dr. Seuss.
My niece would really enjoy this book! She loves anything about animals & bugs!
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Our grandchild would like this when she is older.
my son would love this – he’s into all books right now!
My son would love this.
My son would LOVE this book! We love to read everyday, his latest interests are superheroes, wizards, and dogs lol.
right now my oldest grandson is into harry potter type books
I think my little grandson would really love this book
I think I would enjoy reading this book.. I might share it with the kids though.:)
I think both my kids would enjoy this! My daughter is currently really into Nancy Drew 🙂
I think my nephew and niece would love this book. They are pretty much into all kinds of stories, especially with a kid at the center.
My grandson would love this book, he likes picture books especially.
My grandson loves Curious George and when I read to him. And I love he little turtles in the Hank book!
I think my youngest son would really enjoy this book. Right now it is still a lot of Mommy reading to him but he loves monsters, trains and construction vehicle books.
My grandson who is nearly three would love this book. He grabs the books by name and right now is enthralled with trains. They have a railroad museum in Boston and he can’t stop talking about the commuter train and Amtrak. Around the holidays “pie” was his language and he enjoys helping to cook and bake.
I would love to read this to the kids I babysit.
bet my nephew would like it
My husband said he wants this book, lol. I’m not kidding. 🙂
This would be great for my 7yr old. She is liking goodnight moon right now.