Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter, page 1
HORRID HENRY
AND THE
SCARY SITTER
Meet HORRID HENRY the laugh-out-loud worldwide sensation!
Over 15 million copies sold in 27 countries and counting
# 1 chapter book series in the UK
Francesca Simon is the only American author to ever win the Galaxy British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year (past winners include J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, and Eoin Colfer).
“Horrid Henry is a fabulous antihero…a modern comic classic.” —Guardian
“Wonderfully appealing to girls and boys alike, a precious rarity at this age.” —Judith Woods, Times
* * *
“The best children’s comic writer.”
—Amanda Craig, Times
* * *
“I love the Horrid Henry books by Francesca Simon. They have lots of funny bits in. And Henry always gets into trouble!” —Mia, age 6, BBC Learning Is Fun
“My two boys love this book, and I have actually had tears running down my face and had to stop reading because of laughing so hard.” —T. Franklin, Parent
“It’s easy to see why Horrid Henry is the bestselling character for five- to eight-year-olds.” —Liverpool Echo
“Francesca Simon’s truly horrific little boy is a monstrously enjoyable creation. Parents love them because Henry makes their own little darlings seem like angels.” —Guardian Children’s Books Supplement
“I have tried out the Horrid Henry books with groups of children as a parent, as a babysitter, and as a teacher. Children love to either hear them read aloud or to read them themselves.” —Danielle Hall, Teacher
“A flicker of recognition must pass through most teachers and parents when they read Horrid Henry. There’s a tiny bit of him in all of us.” —Nancy Astee, Child Education
“As a teacher…it’s great to get a series of books my class loves. They go mad for Horrid Henry.” —A teacher
“Henry is a beguiling hero who has entranced millions of reluctant readers.” —Herald.
* * *
“An absolutely fantastic series and surely a winner with all children. Long live Francesca Simon and her brilliant books! More, more please!”
—A parent.
* * *
“Laugh-out-loud reading for both adults and children alike.” —A parent
“Horrid Henry certainly lives up to his name, and his antics are everything you hope your own child will avoid—which is precisely why younger children so enjoy these tales.” —Independent on Sunday
“Henry might be unbelievably naughty, totally wicked, and utterly horrid, but he is frequently credited with converting the most reluctant readers into enthusiastic ones…superb in its simplicity.” —Liverpool Echo.
* * *
“Will make you laugh out loud.”
— Sunday Times.
* * *
“Parents reading them aloud may be consoled to discover that Henry can always be relied upon to behave worse than any of their own offspring.” —Independent
“What is brilliant about the books is that Henry never does anything that is subversive. She creates an aura of supreme naughtiness (of which children are in awe) but points out that he operates within a safe and secure world…eminently readable books.” —Emily Turner, Angels and Urchins.
* * *
“Inventive and funny, with appeal for boys and girls alike, and super illustrations by Tony Ross.”
—Jewish Chronicle
* * *
“Accompanied by fantastic black-and-white drawings, the book is a joy to read. Horrid Henry has an irresistible appeal to everyone—child and adult alike! He is the child everyone is familiar with—irritating, annoying, but you still cannot help laughing when he gets into yet another scrape. Not quite a devil in disguise but you cannot help wondering at times! No wonder he is so popular!” —Angela Youngman
Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon
Horrid Henry
Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy
Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine
Horrid Henry’s Stinkbomb
Horrid Henry and the Mummy’s Curse
Horrid Henry and the Soccer Fiend
Horrid Henry’s Underpants
Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter
Horrid Henry’s Christmas
HORRID HENRY
AND THE
SCARY SITTER
Francesca Simon
Illustrated by Tony Ross
Text © Francesca Simon 2002
Internal illustrations © Tony Ross 2002
Cover illustrations © Tony Ross 2008
Cover and internal design © 2009 by Sourcebooks, Inc.
Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc.
P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567–4410
(630) 961–3900
Fax: (630) 961–2168
www.jabberwockykids.com
Originally published in Great Britain in 2002 by Orion Children’s Books.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Simon, Francesca.
Horrid Henry and the scary sitter / Francesca Simon ; illustrated by Tony Ross.
v. cm.
Contents: Horrid Henry tricks and treats—Horrid Henry and the bogey babysitter—Horrid Henry’s raid—Horrid Henry’s car journey.
[1. Behavior—Fiction.] I. Ross, Tony, ill. II. Title.
PZ7.S604Hre 2009
[Fic]—dc22
2009017470
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
VP 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To my old friends Caroline Elton and
Andrew Franklin, and my new ones
Miriam, Jonathan, and Michael
CONTENTS
1 Horrid Henry Tricks and Treats
2 Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter
3 Horrid Henry’s Raid
4 Horrid Henry’s Car Journey
1
HORRID HENRY TRICKS AND TREATS
Halloween! Oh happy, happy day! Every year Horrid Henry could not believe it: an entire day devoted to stuffing your face with candy and playing horrid tricks. Best of all, you were supposed to stuff your face and play horrid tricks. Whoopee!
Horrid Henry was armed and ready. He had toilet paper rolls. He had water pistols. He had shaving cream. Oh my, would he be playing tricks tonight. Anyone who didn’t instantly hand over a fistful of candy would get it with the cream. And woe betide any fool who gave him an apple. Horrid Henry knew how to treat rotten grown-ups like that.
His red and black devil costume lay ready on the bed, complete with evil mask, twinkling horns, trident, and whippy tail. He’d scare everyone wearing that.
“Heh heh heh,” said Horrid Henry, practicing his evil laugh.
“Henry,” came a little voice outside his bedroom door, “come and see my new costume.”
“No,” said Henry.
“Oh please, Henry,” said his younger brother, Perfect Peter.
“No,” said Henry. “I’m busy.”
“You’re just jealous because my costume is nicer than yours,” said Peter.
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
Come to think of it, what was Peter wearing? Last year he’d copied Henry’s monster costume and ruined Henry’s Halloween. What if he were copying Henry’s devil costume? That would be just like that horrible little copycat.
“All right, you can come in for two seconds,” said Henry.
A big, pink, bouncy bunny bounded into Henry’s room. It had little white bunny ears. It had a little white bunny tail. It had pink polka dots everywhere else. Horrid Henry groaned. What a stupid costume. Thank goodness he wasn’t wearing it.
“Isn’t it great?” said Perfect Peter.
“No,” said Henry. “It’s horrible.”
“You’re just saying that to be mean, Henry,” said Peter, bouncing up and down. “I can’t wait to go trick-or-treating in it tonight.”
Oh no. Horrid Henry felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. Henry would be expected to go out trick-or-treating—with Peter! He, Henry, would have to walk around with a pink polka dot bunny. Everyone would see him. The shame of it! Rude Ralph would never stop teasing him. Moody Margaret would call him a bunny wunny. How could he play tricks on people with a pink polka dot bunny following him everywhere? He was ruined. His name would be a joke.
“You can’t wear that,” said Henry desperately.
“Yes I can,” said Peter.
“I won’t let you,” said Henry.
Perfect Peter looked at Henry. “You’re just jealous.”
Grrr! Horrid Henry was about to tear that stupid costume off Peter when, suddenly, he had an idea.
It was painful.
It was humiliating.
But anything was better than having Peter pranc
“Tell you what,” said Henry, “just because I’m so nice I’ll let you borrow my monster costume. You’ve always wanted to wear it.”
“NO!” said Peter. “I want to be a bunny.”
“But you’re supposed to be scary for Halloween,” said Henry.
“I am scary,” said Peter. “I’m going to bounce up to people and yell ‘boo’.”
“I can make you really scary, Peter,” said Horrid Henry.
“How?” said Peter.
“Sit down and I’ll show you.” Henry patted his desk chair.
“What are you going to do?” said Peter suspiciously. He took a step back.
“Nothing,” said Henry. “I’m just trying to help you.”
Perfect Peter didn’t move.
“How can I be scarier?” he said cautiously.
“I can give you a scary haircut,” said Henry.
Perfect Peter clutched his curls.
“But I like my hair,” he said feebly.
“This is Halloween,” said Henry. “Do you want to be scary or don’t you?”
“Um, um, uh,” said Peter, as Henry pushed him down in the chair and got out the scissors.
“Not too much,” squealed Peter.
“Of course not,” said Horrid Henry. “Just sit back and relax, I promise you’ll love this.”
Horrid Henry twirled the scissors.
Snip! Snip! Snip! Snip! Snip!
Magnificent, thought Horrid Henry. He gazed proudly at his work. Maybe he should be a hairdresser when he grew up. Yes! Henry could see it now. Customers would line up for miles for one of Monsieur Henri’s scary snips. Shame his genius was wasted on someone as yucky as Peter. Still…
“You look great, Peter,” said Henry. “Really scary. Atomic Bunny. Go and have a look.”
Peter went over and looked in the mirror.
“AAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGG!”
“Scared yourself, did you?” said Henry. “That’s great.”
“AAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGG!” howled Peter.
Mom ran into the room.
“AAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGG!” howled Mom.
“AAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGG!” howled Peter.
“Henry!” screeched Mom. “What have you done?! You horrid, horrid boy!”
What was left of Peter’s hair stuck up in ragged tufts all over his head. On one side was a big bald patch. “I was just making him look scary,” protested Henry. “He said I could.”
“Henry made me!” said Peter.
“My poor baby,” said Mom. She glared at Henry.
“No trick-or-treating for you,” said Mom. “You’ll stay here.”
Horrid Henry could hardly believe his ears. This was the worst thing that had ever happened to him.
“NO!” howled Henry. This was all Peter’s fault.
“I hate you Peter!” he screeched. Then he attacked. He was Medusa, coiling around her victim with her snaky hair.
“Aaaahh!” screeched Peter.
“Henry!” shouted Mom. “Go to your room!”
* * *
Mom and Peter left the house to go trick-or-treating. Henry had screamed and sobbed and begged. He’d put on his devil costume, just in case his tears melted their stony hearts. But no. His mean, horrible parents wouldn’t change their minds. Well, they’d be sorry.
They’d all be sorry.
Dad came into the living room. He was holding a large shopping bag.
“Henry, I’ve got some work to finish so I’m going to let you hand out treats to any trick-or-treaters.”
Horrid Henry stopped plotting his revenge. Had Dad gone crazy? Hand out treats? What kind of punishment was this? Horrid Henry fought to keep a big smile off his face.
“Here’s the Halloween stuff, Henry,” said Dad. He handed Henry the heavy bag. “But remember,” he added sternly, “these treats are not for you: they’re to give away.”
Yeah, right, thought Henry.
“OK, Dad,” he said as meekly as he could. “Whatever you say.”
Dad went back to the kitchen. Now was his chance! Horrid Henry leapt on the bag. Wow, was it full! He’d grab all the good stuff, throw back anything yucky with lime or peppermint, and he’d have enough candy to keep him going for at least a week!
Henry yanked open the bag. A terrible sight met his eyes. The bag was full of oranges. And apples. And walnuts in their shells. No wonder his horrible parents had trusted him to be in charge of it.
Ding dong.
Slowly, Horrid Henry heaved his heavy bones to the door. There was his empty, useless trick-or-treat bag, sitting forlornly by the entrance. Henry gave it a kick, then opened the door and glared.
“Whaddya want?” snapped Horrid Henry.
“Trick-or-treat,” whispered Weepy William. He was dressed as a pirate.
Horrid Henry held out the bag of horrors.
“Grab bag!” he announced. “Close your eyes for a big surprise!”
William certainly would be surprised at what a rotten treat he’d be getting.
Weepy William put down his swag bag, closed his eyes tight, then plunged his hand into Henry’s grab bag. He rummaged and he rummaged and he rummaged, hoping to find something better than oranges.
Horrid Henry eyed Weepy William’s bulging swag bag.
Go on Henry, urged the bag. He’ll never notice.
Horrid Henry did not wait to be asked twice.
Dip!
Zip!
Pop!
Horrid Henry grabbed a big handful of William’s candy and popped them inside his empty bag.
Weepy William opened his eyes.
“Did you take some of my candy?”
“No,” said Henry.
William peeked inside his bag and burst into tears.
“Waaaaaaaa!” wailed William. “Henry took—”
Henry pushed him out and slammed the door.
Dad came running.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” said Henry. “Just William crying ’cause he’s scared of pumpkins.”
Phew, thought Henry. That was close. Perhaps he had been a little too greedy.
Ding dong.
It was Lazy Linda wearing a pillowcase over her head. Gorgeous Gurinder was with her, dressed as a scarecrow.
“Trick-or-treat!”
“Trick-or-treat!”
“Close your eyes for a big surprise!” said Henry, holding out the grab bag.
“Ooh, a grab bag!” squealed Linda.
Lazy Linda and Gorgeous Gurinder put down their bags, closed their eyes, and reached into the grab bag.
Dip!
Zip!
Pop!
Dip!
Zip!
Pop!
Lazy Linda opened her eyes.
“You give the worst treats ever, Henry,” said Linda, gazing at her walnut in disgust.
“We won’t be coming back here,” sniffed Gorgeous Gurinder.
Tee hee, thought Horrid Henry.
Ding dong.
It was Beefy Bert. He was wearing a robot costume.
“Hi Bert, got any good candy?” asked Henry.
“I dunno,” said Beefy Bert.
Horrid Henry soon found out that he did. Lots and lots and lots. So did Moody Margaret, Sour Susan, Jolly Josh, and Tidy Ted. Soon Henry’s bag was stuffed with treats.
Ding dong.
Horrid Henry opened the door.
“Boo,” said Atomic Bunny.
Henry’s candy bag! Help! Mom would see it!
“Eeeeek!” screeched Horrid Henry. “Help! Save me!”
Quickly, he ran upstairs clutching his bag and hid it safely under his bed. Phew, that was close.
“Don’t be scared, Henry, it’s only me,” called Perfect Peter.
Horrid Henry came back downstairs.
