The Magic of Imagination: Exploring Grade One is No Fun
The Magic of Imagination: Exploring Grade One is No Fun
First grade is a time of big changes, big feelings, and even bigger imaginations. For many children, it’s their first real taste of school structure, rules, and routines. But what happens when a child’s vibrant personality and boundless creativity meet the sometimes rigid world of grade one? That’s the heart of "Grade One is No Fun: The Adventures of Henny D.," a delightful children’s book by Diane Henrique, a real-life first grade teacher from Ontario, Canada.
Let’s dive into the story, the inspiration behind it, and the wonderful world of questions that kids brought to the author.
Introduction
Welcome back to "Kids Ask, Authors Answer," a delightful series where we bring together curious kids and talented children's book authors for a fun and engaging session. In each episode, we have a read aloud of the book, and then children who have read the book in advance have sent in their questions for the author. The author then answers these questions on the spot, without prior knowledge of what the questions are. This creates a spontaneous and often entertaining interaction that reveals more about the creative minds behind beloved children's books. Your kids can join in on the next episode too! There is information on how to participate at the end.
Meet the Authors
Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els
The show is hosted by Amy Doslich and Sam Howard-Els, both accomplished children's book authors. Amy Doslich is known for the "Hannah Banana and Mary Berry" series, while Samantha Howard-Els is recognized for her "Mungo" series and "Tiny Boo Halloween" book. Together, they create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere where authors share insights and anecdotes, answering the questions sent in by their young fans.
Diane Henrique’s path to becoming an author is as unexpected as Henny D’s adventures. She didn’t publish her first book until she was 49 years old, and she never planned to become a writer. But as a first grade teacher, Diane saw firsthand the challenges and joys her students faced. Henny D is inspired by her own daughter, now 21, and by the real-life kids in her classroom—especially the ones who, like Henny, just can’t resist a good somersault.
Henny D is not your average first grader. She’s bursting with energy, imagination, and what she calls her "special sparkle power." For Henny, every day is an opportunity for adventure—if only the rules of grade one didn’t get in the way. She wants to somersault, dance, and let her ideas burst out like a volcano, but school is full of instructions: "No somersaults in class, Henny D. Make good choices, Henny D. Keep your hands to yourself, Henny D."
The story captures the frustration many children feel when their natural exuberance is met with boundaries. Henny’s struggle is universal: how do you stay true to yourself in a world that sometimes asks you to tone it down?
When Henny’s feelings threaten to overwhelm her, her teacher gives her a special gift: a wand of imagination, magic, and fun. With this wand, Henny can transform her world—turning classmates into frogs, filling hallways with glitter and rainbows, and even making the water fountain dispense grape juice. The wand doesn’t erase her challenges, but it helps her channel her energy and emotions in creative ways.
The message is clear: while rules and routines are part of school, imagination is a powerful tool for coping, learning, and thriving.
One of the most charming aspects of the "Family Read and Discover" segment is the way it centers children’s voices. After the story, kids who had read the book sent in their own questions for Diane Henrique. The questions ranged from the practical to the imaginative, and Diane’s answers were as thoughtful as they were fun.
Why is Henny D’s head so big?
Diane loved this question, explaining that Henny’s big head is a metaphor for her big imagination.
Does Henny D prefer recess or lunch?
Diane guessed that Henny would want to combine both—having lunch during recess, because there’s too much fun in both to choose just one.
Can you do a somersault?
Diane admitted that her knees and back are "not under warranty anymore," but the inspiration for Henny’s somersaults came from a real student in her class.
If Henny D could turn into any animal, what would she choose?
Diane imagined a dinosaur covered in purple glitter: "She is big. She is bold. She can be a tiny bit ferocious at times and she commands a presence."
What’s the spell for the wand?
Diane encouraged kids to find their own secret spell, saying, "If you are needing some of that magic imagination, you just need to dig deep, deep, deep down and just think of all things glittery, all things wonderful, all things magical, and just let your imagination go."
Can the water fountain be a different flavor instead of grape?
Absolutely! Imagination is the only limit. Diane shared that the grape theme comes from her daughter’s love of purple.
Why does Henny D have a tail?
Diane hadn’t noticed this detail, but decided it was Henny’s imagination at work—maybe she wanted to be a lemur that day.
What does it feel like when the fire magic needs to burst out of her head?
Diane described it as a volcano about to erupt: her face gets hot, her ears stop working, and her feelings just explode.
How did you come up with the animals in the hot air balloon?
The illustrator chose them, inspired by the story’s ending where Henny turns her teacher into a giraffe.
What are your favorite dance moves?
Diane loves doing the twist with her students—a simple, joyful dance that brings everyone together.
The interview also included a rapid-fire round, where Diane had to answer as many questions as possible in one minute, all related to magic and school. From naming magical creatures to describing what you eat in the cafeteria, the segment was a playful reminder of how much fun learning can be.
One of the most powerful themes in "Grade One is No Fun" is the acknowledgment of big feelings. Henny D’s emotions are sometimes overwhelming—her "fire magic" threatens to burst out when she can’t express herself. Diane Henrique, as both author and teacher, recognizes that learning to manage emotions is a lifelong process. Even adults, she notes, are still practicing.
The story doesn’t shy away from the reality that kids sometimes "blow their stack." Instead, it offers tools—imagination, creativity, and supportive adults—to help children navigate their feelings.
Henny D’s wand is more than a magical prop; it’s a symbol of the power of imagination. When school feels boring or overwhelming, Henny uses her imagination to transform her experience. This isn’t just escapism—it’s a way to process, cope, and find joy in everyday life.
Diane’s approach as a teacher mirrors this philosophy. She encourages her students to use their creativity, whether it’s through art, dance, or storytelling. She even works with Henny D (and her real-life students) to create decodable readers—books designed to help kids learn to read without guessing, sometimes including recipes for extra fun.
Perhaps the most important lesson from the interview is the value of listening to children. The kids’ questions revealed details about the story that even the author hadn’t noticed, and their curiosity led to new insights and ideas. Diane’s openness to their questions—and her willingness to let their imaginations shape the conversation—models the kind of responsive, respectful teaching that helps children thrive.
Diane Henrique isn’t done with Henny D’s story. She’s already working on a new book about "the blurts"—those moments when kids just can’t wait to share their thoughts and blurt out in class. It’s a familiar challenge for many young learners, and Diane’s playful approach promises another relatable, empowering story.
There’s also a Henny D coloring book, and a series of decodable readers to help kids build their reading skills. Diane’s commitment to creating resources that support both learning and creativity is clear.
For many children, school can feel like a place where they have to suppress parts of themselves. Stories like "Grade One is No Fun" validate those feelings and show that it’s possible to be both true to yourself and successful in a structured environment. Henny D’s adventures remind kids that their energy, creativity, and even their struggles are normal—and that there are adults who understand and support them.
Diane Henrique’s dual role as teacher and author gives her a unique perspective. She sees firsthand the challenges her students face, and she brings those experiences to her writing. By sharing her own journey—becoming an author later in life, drawing inspiration from her daughter and her students—she models lifelong learning and the courage to try new things.
Provide tools for creativity: Whether it’s a "magic wand," art supplies, or a journal, give children ways to express their ideas and feelings.
Make space for play: Allow time for dancing, building, and imaginative play, even (or especially) when life feels busy.
Acknowledge emotions: Let children know it’s okay to feel frustrated, excited, or overwhelmed.
Offer coping strategies: Teach kids to use imagination, movement, or quiet time to manage their feelings.
Invite curiosity: Ask open-ended questions and encourage children to ask their own.
Respond with openness: Even if you don’t have all the answers, show that you value their thoughts and ideas.
Read together: Share books that reflect children’s experiences and spark their imaginations.
Engage with authors: Participate in programs like "Kids Ask Authors Answer" to connect with the people behind the stories.
"Grade One is No Fun" is more than a book about a spirited first grader; it’s a celebration of imagination, resilience, and the power of being yourself. Through Henny D’s adventures—and the thoughtful, funny, and insightful questions of young readers—we’re reminded that every child’s story matters.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or young reader, there’s magic to be found in listening, asking questions, and embracing the sparkle that lives inside us all. As Diane Henrique and Henny D show, the journey through grade one (and beyond) is a little more fun—and a lot more magical—when we do it together.
Happy reading, and may your imagination run wild!
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