Johnston County Author Celebrates America’s 250th With New Children’s Book

KENLY, N.C. — A Johnston County native is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with the release of the latest installment in his popular children’s book series.

Justin Williams Pope, a Kenly native and longtime journalist, will publish his sixth Henry and Matilda book, Henry and Matilda’s Adventure Across America, Celebrating 250 Years!, on July 4, 2026.

The new book continues the adventures of Henry, an Australian Shepherd, and Matilda, a grey Dominique hen, as they travel across the country exploring notable landmarks and historical sites. This latest installment takes readers to destinations including Yellowstone National Park, the Hollywood Sign in California, and Boston to visit the historic USS Constitution.

The book also introduces a new character, Maebelle the marvelous cow, the eighth animal character to join the farm-based adventure series.

Pope said the project is intended as both a celebration of the nation’s history and an opportunity to encourage children to learn through reading.

“We are so excited to publish this book,” Pope said. “It is an honor to be an American and to be a part of living history as our country celebrates its 250th year is a blessing.”

Pope’s roots in Johnston County helped inspire the series. Growing up on a farm near Kenly provided the foundation for the stories and characters that have appeared throughout the Henry and Matilda books.

A 2005 graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Pope spent more than a decade as a correspondent for the Wilmington Star-News. He has also written for WILMA magazine, the Greater Wilmington Business Journal and North Brunswick Magazine.

The Henry and Matilda series began in 2011 with Henry and Matilda’s Adventure in New York. Additional titles have featured adventures in Charleston, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina, along with a Christmas-themed story set on the farm.

The books are geared toward children in kindergarten through second grade, although Pope said the stories are designed to appeal to readers of all ages who enjoy history and adventure.

Later this summer, Pope plans to launch an online reading series designed to encourage children to read and engage with the Henry and Matilda characters.

Henry and Matilda’s Adventure Across America, Celebrating 250 Years! will be available in hardcover and paperback formats through Barnes & Noble stores and online through Walmart and Amazon beginning July 4.