Henry and the Hidden Treasure

For a boy named Henry, the “pocket money” his parents give him is nothing less than treasure—which needs to be kept safe from his younger sister, Lucy. Henry believes that she’s “a secret ninja spy sent to steal his treasure,” so he devises an elaborate way to safeguard it, moving it into a “secret cave” guarded by superheroes, soldiers, and even a “giant and ferocious” pig. There’s an odd switch in tense as Henry outlines his plan (“Fourth, he will build a huge maze inside the cave.... Fifth, he would design some clever booby traps”), but it’s clear that Australian writer Fegan understands how much children’s possessions—especially cold, hard cash—can mean to them. Wen captures the over-the-top premise in cinematic scenes that build tension as Henry’s heavily guarded cave takes shape, then defuses it with comedy as little Lucy, dressed as a ninja, makes short work of every single line of defense. The tender resolution—in which readers learn that Lucy is just looking for a hug—will trigger smiles while putting Henry’s tightfistedness in perspective. Ages 3–8. (BookLife)