Funnyman Ray Romano reads “Henry Holton Takes the Ice” for SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online®September 14, 2020
LOS ANGELES (September 14, 2020) – Actor and comedian Ray Romano joins the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online® cast of storytellers, reading Henry Holton Takes the Ice, a new read-aloud video for the Emmy®-nominated children’s literacy program and digital library.
Written by Sandra Bradley, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, Henry Holton Takes the Ice twirls into the Storyline Online® bookverse by turning hockey on its head. Growing up in a “hockey mad” clan, Henry realizes he prefers figure skates to hockey skates, and dancing on the ice to boarding and body checking. However, he must overcome the expectations and embarrassment of his sports-obsessed family in order to follow his own path.
“Henry Holton Takes the Ice is a beautiful story and message for all kids because it’s about having the courage to be who you are and embrace your own joy. To thine own self be true – that’s an important message for all of us,” says Courtney B. Vance, President of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, “And nobody voices characters like Ray. He brings this story to life with great heart and humor. Children and parents alike are going to love this book.”
Romano chose Henry Holton Takes the Ice because he thinks everybody has a little bit of Henry in them, and that reading, and books like this, can teach us ways to be happy people. Upon conclusion of his reading, he shares with his young audience, “Follow your heart. It doesn’t matter what people think you should do, or want you to do. You should do what makes you happy.”
A trusted educational brand since 2002, Storyline Online has seen significant growth during the global coronavirus pandemic when remote learning has become a standardized norm within households. Boasting a 300% increase in views, and 1200% surge in complementary activity guide downloads, Storyline Online has seen a sharp spike in interaction, shares, and likes, proving to be an essential online resource for families learning at home.
As with all Storyline Online videos, Henry Holton Takes the Ice is accompanied by a complementary supplemental activity guide that aligns with Common Core Standards to strengthen verbal, written and comprehension skills. Aimed at 1st – 2nd grade students, these activities encourage children to engage in critical thinking activities and explore the themes of the book individuality, hockey, ice dancing, diversity and inclusion, and challenging gender stereotypes.
Romano joins the Storyline Online® cast of readers including Oprah Winfrey, Rami Malek, Angela Bassett, Chris Pine, Viola Davis, Kristen Bell, Michelle Yeoh, Jaime Camil and more who have volunteered their time and talent to promote literacy and inspire a love of reading in children.
To watch Henry Holton Takes the Ice and all of the Storyline Online® videos, visit storylineonline.net. Keep up with new videos in 2020 by subscribing to Storyline Online® on YouTube and following Storyline Online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Photos and assets for Storyline Online’s new read-aloud featuring Ray Romano available here.
LOS ANGELES (September 14, 2020) – Actor and comedian Ray Romano joins the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online® cast of storytellers, reading Henry Holton Takes the Ice, a new read-aloud video for the Emmy®-nominated children’s literacy program and digital library.
Written by Sandra Bradley, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, Henry Holton Takes the Ice twirls into the Storyline Online® bookverse by turning hockey on its head. Growing up in a “hockey mad” clan, Henry realizes he prefers figure skates to hockey skates, and dancing on the ice to boarding and body checking. However, he must overcome the expectations and embarrassment of his sports-obsessed family in order to follow his own path.
“Henry Holton Takes the Ice is a beautiful story and message for all kids because it’s about having the courage to be who you are and embrace your own joy. To thine own self be true – that’s an important message for all of us,” says Courtney B. Vance, President of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, “And nobody voices characters like Ray. He brings this story to life with great heart and humor. Children and parents alike are going to love this book.”
Romano chose Henry Holton Takes the Ice because he thinks everybody has a little bit of Henry in them, and that reading, and books like this, can teach us ways to be happy people. Upon conclusion of his reading, he shares with his young audience, “Follow your heart. It doesn’t matter what people think you should do, or want you to do. You should do what makes you happy.”
A trusted educational brand since 2002, Storyline Online has seen significant growth during the global coronavirus pandemic when remote learning has become a standardized norm within households. Boasting a 300% increase in views, and 1200% surge in complementary activity guide downloads, Storyline Online has seen a sharp spike in interaction, shares, and likes, proving to be an essential online resource for families learning at home.
As with all Storyline Online videos, Henry Holton Takes the Ice is accompanied by a complementary supplemental activity guide that aligns with Common Core Standards to strengthen verbal, written and comprehension skills. Aimed at 1st – 2nd grade students, these activities encourage children to engage in critical thinking activities and explore the themes of the book individuality, hockey, ice dancing, diversity and inclusion, and challenging gender stereotypes.
Romano joins the Storyline Online® cast of readers including Oprah Winfrey, Rami Malek, Angela Bassett, Chris Pine, Viola Davis, Kristen Bell, Michelle Yeoh, Jaime Camil and more who have volunteered their time and talent to promote literacy and inspire a love of reading in children.
To watch Henry Holton Takes the Ice and all of the Storyline Online® videos, visit storylineonline.net. Keep up with new videos in 2020 by subscribing to Storyline Online® on YouTube and following Storyline Online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Photos and assets for Storyline Online’s new read-aloud featuring Ray Romano available here.
Released January 2015, Henry Holton Takes the Ice is illustrated by Sara Palacios, recipient of the 2012 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Award.
Praise for Henry Holton Takes the Ice
“Bradley tells a well-crafted, satisfying story in which Henry articulates his views, sticks to his guns, and wins in the end.”- Booklist
“Both the illustrations—despite the ice, it has the warmth of pencil-and-wash artwork—and the story have a strong but unmenacing quality . . . It doesn’t matter what you do on the ice, suggests Bradley, just do it with a song in your heart.”- Kirkus Reviews
“Despite its icy setting, Bradley’s debut imparts a warm, encouraging message to kids feeling out of step with their families’ interests . . . Equal parts sensitive and comic, it’s a rewarding reminder that there’s more than one way to get in the game.”- Publishers Weekly
“Henry is a relatable character illustrated with an open sincerity that will draw in young readers . . . a pleasant read for fans and anyone else.”- School Library Journal
"Henry Holton Takes the Ice is a sweet, sensitively told story that speaks straight to the heart." -HIlary Taber, Good Reads with Ronna
"Refreshing for the winter skate season." -Everything Mom
"Every hockey-mad family with children, or any parent with a passion and children, should read this book. What a great story, told with humour and understanding of boy’s desire to follow his heart." -Book Time speaks with Toronto poet Dennis Lee, InsideToronto.com
". . . Sandra Bradley introduces a charming character that shines on skates . . . Written with wit and sensitivity, this is an uplifting story of self awareness and individuality. Score one for Henry!" -Linda Ludke, The National Reading Campaign
". . . This is a wonderful story for students about being different from others; one that also demonstrates the love of family." Beth Green, School Library Media Specialist, Wappingers Junior High School, Wappingers Falls, New York [Editor’s Note: Available in e-book format.] Recommended
Henry has been nominated for the 2016/2017 Chickadee Award. This program is for children in kindergarten through fourth grade throughout the state of Maine.
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Henry has been named a 2016 Blue Spruce award nominee in the Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading program. Canada’s largest recreational reading program with more than 250,000 readers participating each year, the Forest occupies a major place of prominence in Canada’s literary landscape and encourages a love of reading in people of all ages.
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The Ontario Library Association has named Henry a Best Bets Top Ten Picture Book for 2015.
Authors for Indies is a great chance for Canadian authors to support Canada's diverse and vibrant Independent Book Stores. These establishments enrich our communities beyond measure. Sandra will be visiting Backbeat Books and Music in Perth, Ontario on April 30, 2016.
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Henry has been included in the 2015 New York Public Library Summer Reading and Hawks WIN lists.
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Every day, First Book shares the joy of reading with children. They have so far distributed 100 million books in 50,000 schools and programs world wide. Sandra has been privileged to visit two schools on behalf of First Book Canada: Severn Avenue Public School in Ottawa and St. Monica Catholic School in Montreal.
Toronto, ON –February 2016 – First Book Canada and Toronto Marlies announced the official launch of the first ever First Book Canada Scotiabank Reading Hero Challenge, in partnership with Scotiabank with support from Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. First Book Canada will distribute more than 2,200 brand-new books to students in grade one classes in eight high-needs elementary schools across the Greater Toronto Area. It is an honour for Henry to be part of this unique program.
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Henry has the honour of being included in the CBC list of 15 kids' books to watch out for in 2015.
Henry has skated into the National Post.
Follow the link to find out more:
http://www.24news.ca/entertainment/80929-scribbles-rally-the-weirdos
Follow the link to find out more:
http://www.24news.ca/entertainment/80929-scribbles-rally-the-weirdos
Henry is thrilled to join the TD Summer Reading Club as a 2015 Recommended Read. This inclusive program "strives to engage all children in the joy of reading during the summer months while championing Canadian writers and illustrators. All summer long across Canada, libraries aim to inspire a sense of adventure and wonder, nurture children’s imaginations and celebrate their accomplishments."
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Henry was featured on Good Morning San Diego's Nightstand Reads!
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Henry Holton is featured in Colorado Parent's January issue as one of three "Heartwarming Winter Reads".
Today's Parent January 2015 issue features an article on helping children confront gender role stereotypes. Henry Holton was named as a book "to get the conversation started".
NJ.com says, "Children's book takes the ice and makes all nice." Click on the logo to read full review.
The Children's Bookshelf
Lisa Evans has included a lovely review of Henry Holton in her blog, The Children's Bookshelf. This blog is highly recommended for all children's book lovers.
Lisa Evans has included a lovely review of Henry Holton in her blog, The Children's Bookshelf. This blog is highly recommended for all children's book lovers.
If you happen to be in or around beautiful Hadley, Massachusetts on February 27, 2015, Barnes & Noble is hosting a Henry Holton Takes the Ice Storytime at 6 pm.
