Horrid Henry Reads a Book

Horrid Henry's Stinkbomb

Horrid Henry Reads a Book Blah blah blah blah blah. Miss Battle-Axe droned on and on and on. Horrid Henry drew pictures of crocodiles tucking into a juicy Battle-Axe snack in his maths book. Snap! Off went her head. Yank! Bye bye leg. Crunch! Ta-ta teeth. Yum yum. Henry's crocodile had a big fat smile on its face. Blah blah blah books blah blah blah read blah blah blah prize blah blah . . . PRIZE? Horrid Henry stopped doodling. “ What prize?" he shrieked.

" Don't shout out, Henry, " said Miss Battle-Axe. Horrid Henry waved his hand and shouted: “ What prize?" “ Well, Henry, if you'd been paying attention instead of scribbling, you'd know, wouldn't you?” said Miss Battle- Axe. Horrid Henry scowled. Typical teacher. You're interested enough in what they're saying to ask a question, and suddenly they don't want to answer. “ So class, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted--" she glared at Horrid Henry-“ you'll have two weeks to read as many books as you can for our school reading competition. Whoever reads the most books will win an exciting prize. A very exciting prize. But remember, a book report on every book on your list, please. "

Oh. A reading competition. Horrid Henry slumped in his chair. Phooey. Reading was hard, heavy work. Just turning the pages made Henry feel exhausted. Why couldn't they ever do fun competitions, like whose tummy could rumble the loudest, or who shouted out the most in class, or who knew the rudest words? Horrid Henry would win those competitions every time. But no. Miss Battle-Axe would never have a fun competition. Well, no way was he taking part in a reading contest. Henry would just have to watch someone undeserving like Clever Clare or Brainy Brian swagger off with the prize while he sat prize-less at the back. It was so unfair!

“ What's the prize?” shouted Moody Margaret. Probably something awful like a pencil case, thought Horrid Henry. Or a bumper pack of school tea towels. “ Sweets! ” shouted Greedy Graham. “ A million pounds! ” shouted Rude Ralph. “ Clothes! ” shouted Gorgeous Gurinder. “ A skateboard! " shouted Aerobic Al. “ A hamster! ” said Anxious Andrew. “ Silence! " bellowed Miss Battle-Axe. “ The prize is a family ticket to a brand new theme park. ” Horrid Henry sat up. A theme park! Oh wow! He loved theme parks! Rollercoasters! Water rides! Candy floss!