Readers of all ages are going to love Henri, the French bulldog. What’s not to like? Even his snort is lovable and truly charming. Henri is Samantha Childs’ dog and the star of her book, Henri and the Magnificent Snort. Henri enjoys the usual activities of a dog, first in New York, then at his new home in San Diego. But something changes for Henri after he and his mom (Samantha) move to the west coast. While attending a doggy daycare, Henri is ridiculed by the other dogs. He’s bullied and all because he snorts. They call him Pig Dog and no one stands up for him. Saddened by the turn of events, Henri confides in his mom, who understands everything he says, because “she was fluent in Snort!” She reassures Henri that he’s unique, special, and very important. Having been bullied herself, Mom shares some words of wisdom: “Our differences are special. They’re our gifts to be shared./ They shouldn’t be shameful or a reason to be scared.” She stresses the importance of being ourselves because that’s what makes us all so beautiful.

Samantha Childs’ picture book, Henri and the Magnificent Snort is an endearing story about a very difficult subject that affects so many of us of all ages. The story is cleverly told in rhyming verse in a charming lyrical voice. The plot follows Henri as he enjoys his life, first in New York and then in his new home in San Diego. The story intensifies when Henri is confronted with a problem, a new dog who takes offense to his snorting and makes fun of him, turning all the other dogs against Henri. It’s a classic bullying situation, one that’s sad and disturbing to all involved, even the bully, as Henri learns later that there is a reason why his bully is so mean. What goes around comes around. A heartwarming story about love, caring, differences, believing in yourself, and standing up against bullying, all with a good snort or two.

Henri and the Magnificent Snort is an award-winning children's picture book by Samantha Childs. With some eye-catching illustrations by Hannah Farr, the book follows the story of Henri, a French bulldog who lives a merry life in a typical Manhattan apartment with his mom. Henri was a popular pup in the Upper West Side and unique among his peers because he tended to snort in unexpected situations. However, he had to leave New York when his mom changed homes and took him to sunny California to live in San Diego. Soon, Henri finds himself in doggie daycare, where a pup named Russell makes fun of Henri's snort and calls him names. It results in Henri feeling insecure. Find out how Henri fights back against bullying and stands up for himself.

Samantha Childs tells a light-hearted tale with a powerful message about bullying and being comfortable in one's skin. Inspired by real-life events, Henri and the Magnificent Snort is funny and features vibrant characters, a moving message, and lots of heart. Everyone is unique and brings something of their own to make the world a better place to live. Hannah Farr provides some truly inspired artwork that brings out the personalities of each dog, highlighting the character traits that make them come alive. Henri has a charismatic personality and aura you can't help but love, and children are bound to love following him on his adventures. I had lots of fun reading the book, and I would recommend it to children of all ages and even some adults who are still young at heart.

Bullying hurts! It hurts both the receiver and the bully. In Henri and the Magnificent Snort, Samantha Childs uses a cute story about her French Bulldog named Henri to show the harmful effects of being bullied and how to overcome bullies. Henri faces bullying for the first time after he moves to San Diego and must learn the proper responses to being bullied. These responses include building one’s self-worth, and community response. Russell makes fun of Henri and that starts a downward spiral that leads to all sorts of negative thoughts. Through friends and learning that what makes you unique also makes you special, Henri overcomes being bullied. Being special is a gift to be shared with others. One of the most important lessons to learn is simply to be yourself. Working together to overcome bullying is the solution to put an end to this awful practice. Don’t stay silent; instead, speak up and speak out.

While Henri and the Magnificent Snort by Samantha Childs is about dogs, the principles found in this sweet picture book can easily be adapted to a child’s understanding of the problem and solution to bullying. Children often don’t talk about being bullied because they feel ashamed and unworthy. This book breaks through that silence and brings the issue to the surface so it can be defeated. Samantha writes in simple and compassionate terms so children can be drawn into the story and relate to the pain of being bullied. As a parent, it is your responsibility to help your child work through the pain and create a safe community that will not stand for bullying. Hannah Farr does a great job illustrating this book with all types of dogs.

Henri and the Magnificent Snort: A Children's Book about Bullying, Belonging, and Love by Samantha Childs concerns Henri, a French bulldog who'd lived in New York. His owner had attended Columbia University but after graduation, she and Henri moved to San Diego - away from the life that Henri had known and loved. In San Diego, Henri was enrolled in doggie daycare and made some new friends, but one new daycare attendee was not so welcoming. Henri met Russell, a dog that mercilessly mocked Henri and laughed when he first heard Henri snort. Even Henri's friends eventually joined in the teasing, hurting Henri deeply. He starts to question whether he is actually a Pig Dog, as that was what the nasty teasing dogs called him, and he cries every night. One day at the dog park, Henri saw his friends and their humans, as well as Russell and his cruel human - who seemed to take enjoyment in hurting Russell. When Henri saw how badly the human treated Russell, he called attention to how wrong it is to hurt and torment animals. From then on, Henri's new friends saw him as the pup with the wonderful golden snort, and Henri started to love himself again.

Samantha Childs certainly knows how to send a strong message about how wrong and hurtful bullying is, and it clearly shows how much of an animal lover she is. As a former veterinary technician, I have seen how cruel people can be to the amazing animals on our planet. While reading Henri and the Magnificent Snort, I couldn't help but smile at seeing all the pups on the bus attending doggy daycare - which was so perfectly illustrated. It was also interesting to read how dogs suffer from anxiety when moving to a new home, just as my feline friends do. Henri certainly was a lucky dog, knowing that he would never have to worry about where his next meal was coming from, or that he would ever be left behind. Making friends at the new daycare was joyous to see, but heartbreaking when the bully stepped in to spoil everything. My favorite part was the way that goodness continued to shine through, regardless of the humans in this world and the bullies they created. This a book that I highly recommend to all audiences, young or old, as it teaches that bullying is a learned habit, but can easily be overcome when you stand up for the underdog.