Henry Huggins

The novel and the series aptly take their name from the protagonist, Henry, whose alliterative name and unique personality shape the story as readers follow him through what he sees as an ordinary, mundane life. Everything changes for Henry when he finds a stray dog at the bus stop, and the novel traces a period in Henry’s life when Ribsy’s presence upends everything, and Henry must learn about the complexities of pet care and responsibility. Though Henry is single-minded and goal-focused for such a young boy, he still acts impulsively and must at times depend on help from the adults around him. Like all of Beverly Cleary’s characters, Henry is intelligent and considers himself a book lover. When he needs help to care for the fish, he races to the library: “Henry, proud to have a grown-up book stamped on his library card, ran home with it” (42). His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Huggins, aid him in getting home from the bus debacle, Mr. Pennycuff the pet shop owner helps Henry buy fish, and then his father helps him when the fish population gets out of control. Mrs. Huggins is patient and long-suffering with Henry and his endless pet shenanigans, and his neighbor Mr.