Baloney (Henry P.)

Reach for this book when your child starts coming home with elaborate excuses or when you want to turn the 'chore' of learning vocabulary into a hilarious game. It is the perfect tool for a child who feels a bit anxious about making mistakes or being late, as it uses humor to diffuse the tension of accountability. Henry P. Baloney is an alien schoolboy who must explain his tardiness to his teacher, or risk permanent detention. His 'tall tale' journey across the stars is told using a clever mix of twenty different Earth languages, including Swahili, Dutch, and Esperanto. This approach helps children realize that they can understand new ideas through context and creativity. It is an absurdist, joyful exploration of language that celebrates the power of storytelling over the fear of getting in trouble.