Meet breezy, free spirit Henrietta P. Hoppenbeck, who describes herself as “half a hen and half a Rietta” (26). In this imaginative and unusual chapter book, Henrietta tells, in a free-flowing, informal style, about her brother, Albert; her mom and dad; her dog and two pet mice; her best friend, Olive; and the imaginary “Rietta” from the “Island of Rietta,” which she, and only she, has visited. The innovative graphic design, with its many black, white, and red cartoon-style illustrations and frequently changing fonts adds to the zaniness of Henrietta’s warm, funny narrative about herself and her family life. Henrietta (the Great Go-Getter) was published in 2007. hc

Originally published by Allen & Unwin Australia, in 2004.