Henry and the Yeti by Russell Ayto
Bloomsbury Children’s Books, August 2018
SYNOPSIS BY BLOOMSBURY
Henry loves yetis. The problem is nobody knows if yetis actually exist. Henry, however, is sure they do, and he sets off on an expedition to find one. He has packed everything he needs, including a camera to take photos for evidence. But can he find a yeti? And will anyone believe him when he returns home?
MY THOUGHTS ON HENRY AND THE YETI
Henry and the Yeti is a heart-warming tale about curiosity, courage, tenacity and believing in oneself.
What makes this book shine is its gentle message: that the pursuit of a dream matters, even if others don’t immediately understand it.
Ayto’s quirky, expressive illustrations add a layer of warmth and playfulness that perfectly complement the story’s imaginative tone.
Ideal for children aged 3–8, Henry and the Yeti opens the door for conversations about goal-setting, believing in yourself, and the value of exploration.
Whether shared in a classroom or at bedtime, this is a delightful read that invites kids to think beyond the obvious — and maybe even plan an adventure of their own.
I highly recommend this sweet book!
STORY EXTENSION IDEAS:
I
A guided drawing of Henry and his new friend, Yeti, would be fun and easy to do. Older children could easily look at the pictures and draw their own illustration without an adult’s help.
2
Use the text as inspiration for personal goal-setting. Goal-setting is an important component in most curriculums, and this book is a fun way to jump start the discussions.
3
Write a short sequel to the story. At the end when the yeti shows up at school, the principal is lying down (did he faint?) and the students are all running away. What happens next? Does the yeti stay with Henry? Does Henry help him find his way home? Most kids enjoy thinking and writing about what could happen next.
4
Check out this colourful activity pack by Bloomsbury! It’s several pages long and includes a word search, a “spot the yeti” sheet, a drawing page and a colouring page.
5
Make this cute fork painting of a yeti by Our Kid Things. It looks easy to do and doesn’t involve very much prep.
6
Make a yeti puppet – it’s $2 in my TPT shop.
Puppets aren’t only fun to play with, they’re also an engaging way to encourage kids to retell a story and improve their story comprehension!
See this blog post I wrote listing the 10 benefits of using alphabet puppets.
Click the puppet image to see it in my shop.
Looking for more book reviews and activities? Visit my Kid Lit page.
Thanks for stopping by!
