Mark Taylor (1) (1927–)

Just took a walk into town with my wife and a nearby yard was filled with those little marker flags the utility companies post before something gets dug up. Immediately remembered this little book that I bought in the PX Bookstore in Augsburg, Germany, around 1979. HENRY THE EXPLORER is about a little boy named Henry who, after a snowstorm, packs his backpack with supplies, takes his dog, Angus (a small black Scottie), and sets off on a hike up a snow covered hill and into the woods to explore - and maybe find a bear. Our daughter was about a year old, already walking and talking (a LOT), and she loved this story and its pictures so much she nearly had it memorized. She knew everything Henry put into his pack - a sandwich, a flashlight, and more. But, most importantly, the small triangular 'flags' he took to mark his route and claim his finds. We must have read this book hundreds of times. And many years later we read it to her little boy, our youngest grandson. He loved it too. It was, still is, a perfect bedtime , or naptime, read. Not too long, not too short, but just right, with colorful, detailed illustrations that our daughter, and her son could study and imagine. Our whole family loved this little book. Kudos to both author and illustrator. My very highest recommendation.

- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER… (mehr)