Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?

When someone asks if I had a favorite book as a child, my mind doesn’t immediately go to a specific title or storyline. Instead, it wanders back to the feeling—of holding a book gifted by my godmother, doodling to my heart’s content across its pages. I don’t even remember what the story was about, but I vividly recall a man, a hat, and a chair that he must have adored. The book’s color, the weight of it in my hands—it all lives in my memory more clearly than the plot itself. That book went everywhere with me, not just as a story, but as a creative companion.

But if I had to name a story that truly nestled itself into my childhood, it would be Henny Penny. My grandfather had bought me a set of books to prepare for grade school, and Henny Penny was part of that bundle. What made it extra special was that I used to read it with my grandmother. Those quiet moments, tucked beside her, listening to the rhythm of the story about a chicken convinced the sky was falling—that was magic.

A few weeks ago, I spotted a giant-sized Henny Penny book at the library. I couldn’t help but stop and show it to my daughter, telling her, “Grandma and I used to read that together.” Her eyes widened, and she said a breathless “WOW!”—likely less about the wonder of the story and more about the idea that a book from “way back then” could still exist today. To her, I’m probably ancient (she thinks anything before 2018 is “vintage”), but to me, that moment was full-circle.

That little exchange sparked an idea: why not bring Henny Penny back into our home—not just to read it, but to make it ours? I’m planning to reintroduce the story to her the way it was once introduced to me—perhaps even create a doodle-friendly version where we can add our own touches. A new family keepsake, co-authored by memory and imagination.

Sometimes a favorite childhood book isn’t remembered by the plot—it’s remembered by the people who read it with us, the way it made us feel, and the quiet moments it held. For me, Henny Penny is that kind of favorite.

And now, it’s ready to be loved all over again—this time, with my daughter by my side.