Created by the accomplished author, Francesca Simon and uniquely illustrated by Tony Ross, Horrid Henry is known to be one of the most successful children’s literary characters in the UK, runner up to Harry Potter. But with over 16 million book sales and counting, what made Horrid Henry the success that it is today?
In this blog, we will go through the fantastic books and the development of this wildly humorous storyline, which has gone from strength to strength. With the first book published in 1994, these stories are still popular in the classroom to this day and have even progressed into the world of film and TV production.
Horrid Henry Is Forever Going From Strength To Strength!
Translated into 22 languages and available in 27 countries, it seems that the Horrid Henry books are popular with kids of all ages, alongside the TV series which was adapted by the stories and is still loved by many. The series is produced by Novel entertainment and has been BAFTA nominated three times, known to be the most popular series ever on CITV.
And if you didn’t think that was amazing enough, Horrid Henry was also adapted into the film Horrid Henry: The Movie, which has sold more than 1 million copies.
Did You Know? Horrid Henry even has a website www.horridhenry.me, which has attracted almost 10 million page views, alongside two computer games, with a third in the pipeline, a game has even been released for the Nintendo platform!
Henry has also released his music and audiobooks, which are perfect to listen along to in the classroom or at home!
The Book Collection Titles & Dates
We can’t miss out going through the amazing titles of these books! This list is perfect to show to your pupils to help them receive an insight into each book, or a perfect teaching resource if you are looking for a certain area which is perfect to teach them within these stories.
Let’s take a look at the list.
Horrid Henry (1994)
The first Horrid Henry book named ‘Horrid Henry’… contains four utterly brilliant stories about the mischievous character. Including the titles –
Horrid Henry’s Perfect Day
Horrid Henry’s Dance Class
Horrid Henry and Moody Margaret
Horrid Henry and the Secret Club (1995)
Another book that features four hilarious stories about Henry, in which he goes to the dreaded dentist, torments Peter, creates birthday party havoc and plans revenge on Moody Margaret!
Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy (1996)
Horrid Henry Tricks The Toothfairy is the third book within the ever-growing series, where Henry is on a mission to steal Perfect Peter tooth, so he receives the reward instead!
Horrid Henry Nits Nits Nits! (1997)
This collection of stories follows Henry as he tries to get rid of his head lice, forms a secret club, deals with his moody friend and tries to swap his lunch on the class trip.
Horrid Henry Get’s Rich Quick (1998)
In at number 5, is the book Horrid Henry Get’s Rich Quick, which includes the story of where he runs away, tries to sell his brother at a yard sale! And even more mischievous acts.
Horrid Henry’s Haunted House (1999)
Henry is in shock when he has to stay at his slimy cousin, Stuck-up Steve’s house. And to make matters worse, Steve’s house is haunted! Or is it?
Horrid Henry and The Mummy’s Curse (2000)
In this story, Henry indulges in his favourite hobby, collecting Gizmos, has a bad time with his spelling homework, begins a rumour that there is a shark in the swimming pool and scared Perfect Peter with the Mummy’s Curse!
Horrid Henry Perfect Revenge (2001)
This is a number one for fiendish fun! This brilliant story from 2001 includes the stories –
Horrid Henry’s Computer
Horrid Henry Goes to Work
Horrid Henry and the Demon Dinner Lady
Horrid Henry and the Bogey Babysitter (2002)
Horrid Henry is known for his hatred of babysitters, which is why he knows exactly how to make sure they never come back! Until he meets Rabid Rebecca, the toughest teen in town. In Horrid Henry and the Bogey Babysitter.
Horrid Henry’s Stinkbombs! (2002)
This book contains a horrible stinkbomb, a pile of books, an awful sleepover and a school project! –
Horrid Henry Reads a Book
Horrid Henry’s Stinkbomb
Horrid Henry’s School Project
Horrid Henry’s Sleepover
Horrid Henry’s Underpants (2003)
Henry receives an unexpected present, but he is not impressed when he finds out it is a hideous pair of frilly, pink pants! He needs to find a way to get rid of them, but how will he do it?
Horrid Henry Meets the Queen (2004)
The Queen is coming to visit Henry’s school. But when he is put in the back row, he is furious. How is he meant to find out how many TV’s she has now? He needs to find a way to get himself noticed!
Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine (2005)
This book contains a horrific hike, a time machine, a love letter and snails for his dinner! All utterly hilarious and perfect for the classroom.
Horrid Henry and the Football Fiend (2006)
The 14th book in the collection! These four stories contain a secret diary, a football match, a shopping trip and a dreadful enemy!
Horrid Henry’s Christmas Cracker (2006)
You can’t have an amazing series without a Christmas Special! This book features a school play, stolen sweets, a visit from Santa and a hellish dinner!
Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman (2007)
What is more fun than a book which contains stories about a giant snowman, a rainy day, an awful makeover and an author visit!
Horrid Henry Robs the Bank (2008)
Of course, this features four stories that include everyone’s favourite tiny terror! In these stories, Henry helps himself to all the money he needs to sin his favourite board game, launches a school gossip magazine, vows vengeance on Peter and is headteacher for the day!
Horrid Henry Wakes the Dead (2009)
This 2009 book includes the following titles –
Horrid Henry and the TV Remote
Horrid Henry’s School Election
Horrid Henry’s Bad Present
Horrid Henry Wakes the Dead
Horrid Henry Rocks (2010)
We all know that Horrid Henry rocks, but this collection features this differently! This includes the following titles –
Horrid Henry’s Invasion
Moody Margaret’s Sleepover
Horrid Henry’s Autobiography
Horrid Henry Rocks
Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire (2011)
Another spooky story within this collection, this book features these four fantastic titles! –
Horrid Henry Writes a Story
Horrid Henry and the Nudie Foodie
Horrid Henry Plays With Perfect Peter
Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire
Horrid Henry’s Monster Movie (2012)
Heading towards the end of the continuous series features a monster movie, a horrible weekend, grump cards and the Olympics!
Horrid Henry’s Nightmare (2013)
Horrid Henry has the worst nightmare, needs to be nice for mother’s day, we see the demon dinner lady return and see Fluffy strut her stuff.
Horrid Henry’s Krazy Ketchup (2014)
Four stories where you can discover the one thing Henry is scared of, watch the return of Rabbid Rebecca, find out how well his film goes and much more fun!
Horrid Henry’s Cannibal Curse (2015)
Thought to be the final story, but came back as a surprise in 2019. This book includes –
Horrid Henry’s Bake-Off
Horrid Henry’s Extra Horrid Guide to Perfect Parents
Horrid Henry’s Bad Book
Horrid Henry’s Cannibal Curse
Horrid Henry Up, Up and Away (2019)
Back a naughtier than ever! This most recent book contains four new stories, which include Horrid Henry wreaking havoc on an aeroplane, forced to write an essay about the Tudors, sabotaging the school play and sneaking on to a rollercoaster.
Do you think Francesca Simon will create another book to add to the series this 2020?
We hope you find our list of Horrid Henry books and facts useful for your teaching, as it is not easy to find anywhere that provides you with the dates, titles and story descriptions of the whole series!
Horrid Henry is the perfect book collection that can provide humour and characterisation to your pupils as they can explore the continuous adventures of Henry’s character, which they can also visually enjoy with the tv show, where they all perfectly create visual adaptations of the amazing books!
