Account
Contact
Search 
54

The Story Behind the Story – “Chasing Henry”

The Story Behind the Story – “Chasing Henry” - All About Reading

Have you ever made an exciting discovery?

Well, that’s exactly what happened to Dilly the armadillo, Seth the sloth, and Opal the ostrich in “Chasing Henry,” a short story from All About Reading Level 3.

It was a warm summer day when the three friends spotted it. There it was—just down the path, sitting in a shaft of sunshine.

In this delightful decodable story, readers find out what happens when three best friends find “the biggest egg ever.”

Boy, are they in for a surprise!

Read “Chasing Henry” Here!

Chasing Henry Download

The story behind this story begins in the sun-soaked studio of Donna Goeddaeus, the art director and lead illustrator here at All About Learning Press.

The Story behind the Story - Chasing Henry

This is where Donna creates the characters that bring so many of the All About Reading stories to life. Characters like Henry.

The Story behind the Story - Chasing Henry The Story behind the Story - Chasing Henry

Donna’s home sits more than a mile off the beaten track, in the heart of a fragrant forest teeming with wildlife. A short walk through the woods leads to Donna’s “creek crossing”—a boardwalk and a rickety bridge over a gently flowing river that exudes the solitude and wilderness she loves.

The Story behind the Story - Chasing Henry

It was here at the water’s edge, while she was taking a short break from illustrating “Chasing Henry,” that Donna found a little bit of extra inspiration. She found a large egg!

The Story behind the Story - Chasing Henry

I’m not sure what was in Donna’s egg, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a Henry.

What’s the most exciting thing you’ve ever found?

Read more about the inspiration behind the short stories in the All About Reading program!

Share This:

< Previous Post  Next Post >

Leave a Reply

Tulisha Scott

says:

Thank you for giving us this glimpse!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Tulisha!

julie rosier

says:

this looks so fun!

Jones Terra

says:

Our oldest son aspires to be an author. I can’t wait to show him this!!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

I hope he enjoys this story behind the story!

Edith B

says:

We love your curriculum!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Edith!

Jay

says:

I loved the chance to see behind the story! We love AAR but I especially love the pictures in the books :)

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Jay!

Sarah

says:

That’s such a fun story behind the story!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Sarah.

Elizabeth Williams

says:

Finding inspiration in the world around us…it’s a common theme, for other creators too, like me, a musician. I hope to write a book one day, I’ll use the same technique then as well.

nicole roffers

says:

This looks like a cute story!!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Nicole!

Loreen G

says:

Love the “ behind the story” blog! It’s fun to see the inspiration and hard work that goes into each delightful story and it makes them come alive 😊

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Loreen! It’s wonderful to hear you appreciate these “behind the story” blog posts.

Jessica

says:

Fantastic! Thank you!

Cheyenne

says:

The art is precious and interesting ❤️Can’t wait to share with my four year old.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

I hope your child enjoys it, Cheyenne!

Mary

says:

AAR stories are so sweet!

Missy Staggers

says:

What fun illustrations!!!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Missy!

Katharine Gindin

says:

Very fun decodable with adorable illustrations.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Katharine.

Katharine Gindin

says:

Fun decodables.

Allie G

says:

Cute story

Laura Bowen

says:

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful!

Emily Minor

says:

Aah! Dream job, would love to write and illustrate stories for a living!

Adrienne

says:

We adore the illustrations!

Melissa De Bruyn

says:

Would love to do this!

Edith B

says:

I love the AAR and AAS curriculum! ❤️❤️

Tammy

says:

Once when I was small, I found a diamond in a field in Arkansas.

Katie

says:

My girls love the stories and illustrations!

Julie

says:

Thanks for giving us a peek behind the scenes in how the AAR books are illustrated!

Jennifer

says:

Charming illustrations!

Kim

says:

Lovely story

Heather Y

says:

What a beautiful setting! And fantastic illustrator!

Andrea

says:

My daughter loved the illustrations in the readers and I’m sure my son will too!!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

I’m glad to hear your daughter loved the illustrations, Andrea. Thank you.

Lou Ann

says:

Hoping to try this program soon. Looks engaging.