Higgins and the Great Big Scare

by Rebecca Caudill

First published 1960

Henny comes back from staying with her grandmother and discovers something troubling. Higgin, the dog who belongs to her neighbors, acts completely different now. The once friendly animal has turned into a scared creature who jumps at shadows. Henny watches Higgin cower and tremble at sounds that never bothered him before. She wonders what happened while she was away to make such a bold dog become so frightened. Henny decides she must help Higgin overcome whatever has made him so afraid. She works patiently to understand what scared him and finds gentle ways to build back his confidence. Through small acts of kindness and understanding, Henny helps Higgin remember how to be brave again. This story shows how fear can change anyone and how friendship can heal even the deepest worries.

Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary

Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity

85 pages · Paperback · Holt, Rinehart and Winston

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