Books by Kevin Henkes

"No one looks just like me or thinks just like I do." A young child reflects upon the importance of time to imagine, think, and enjoy being by himself. A beautifully designed jacket and endpapers introduce and conclude this carefully made book, illustrated with drawings and paintings in blue, green, brown and rose hues. The author/artist grew up in Racine, and developed this book when he was a freshman at UW-Madison. (Ages 3-7)

A small boy plays and daydreams in the serenity and solitude of his bathtub. The handsome design and soft two-color illustrations sustain the reflective mood of the story, beautifully written and illustrated by a Racine resident and UW-Madison student. (Ages 2-4)

Little Bailey Rabbit's mama and papa encourage him to imagine himself camping at home after his older brother and sister leave for a week-end camp-out, leaving Bailey at home because he's too small to join them. Watercolor pictures expand the narrative by showing what Bailey finds to do right inside his own house: pitching a tent, going on a bear hunt, even roasting marshmallows with mama and papa. Careful pacing and judicious use of repetition make this a great text for reading aloud. (Ages 2-5)

Young Bo spends the summer on his grandpa's Wisconsin farm, sharing activities important to both of them: fishing, taking walks, telling stories, playing ball and even -- because they can only be together once a year -- celebrating a summer Christmas. Touches of wit spark a warm story, illustrated with black-and-white pencil drawings. (Ages 4-7)

Wendell, a pesky weekend guest, monopolizes little Sophie's toys and her parents' attention until she herself figures out how to make some of the rules for imaginary play. Bright, full-color watercolor paintings combined with black pen-and-ink line illustrate a cleverly written story with engaging mice characters. (Ages 4-7)

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As she walks around the block on a summer afternoon, Anna talks to each neighbor and repeats her complaint that there's nothing to do. At each stop she's offered something to occupy her time for a few minutes. A well-paced story effectively uses repetition and everyday drama, illustrated with drawings with watercolor wash, and culminates in a satisfying resolution of a familiar childhood dilemma. (Ages 3-7)

It's Sheila Rae's little sister, Louise, who proves to be resourceful after bold, occasionally bully-ish Sheila Rae loses track of exactly where in the neighborhood they both are. Exceptional writing, clarity of watercolor images, and interestingly varied page layouts distinguish this story inhabited by lively mice, two of which appear in Henkes's Weekend with Wendell. (Ages 3-7)

Cautious friends Chester and Wilson are taken aback when rambunctious Lilly moves into the neighborhood. The gradually discover they have a few interest in common and can learn new ways to do things from each other, as the twosome becomes a threesome. Bright colors, droll humor, and childlike animal characters distinguish a charming, wonderfully designed story of friendship. (Ages 3-7)

Ruthie didn't have a dog, cat, brother or sister, but she did have Jessica who went wherever Ruthie went. "'There is no Jessica,' said Ruthie's parents. But there was." Jessica goes wherever Ruthie goes, even accompanying her to kindergarten until... Ruthie meets someone new. Realistic moments of childhood interaction and imaginary play are developed in a perfectly paced narrative, illustrated with line, color, and innovative uses of typography. (Ages 3-7)

When a small girl awakens in the morning, she finds all is quiet, as everyone else is still asleep, even the cat and the dog. She tiptoes from rom to room, observing the sleeping pets, the sleeping baby and Mama and Papa, before she embarks on her early morning duty of waking everyone up with a toot on her toy horn. The figures in the textured, sunrise-colored acrylic paintings are subtly outlined in red, evoking a household on the brink of wakefulness. (Ages 18 months-3 years)

Lilly is a long-tailed white mouse character who behaves like an indulged, reckless young human. Before Julius was born, Lilly was the best big sister in the world. Her crown, cape and red cowboy boots convey her self-proclaimed superiority in a world she thinks now revolves around what is a disgusting baby. Readers of Chester's Way (Greenwillow, 1988) will recognize Lilly even in her Groucho glasses; they'll know she will think of ways to handle the challenge. And she does - usually going to the edge with a very naughty, original flair which typically lands her in the "uncooperative chair". Remarkable pacing earmarks a text well integrated with art created by a combination of watercolors and black pen. (Ages 5-8)

Chrysanthemum has always thought of her name as beautiful and perfect as she herself until her classmates laugh when they hear it during roll call on the first day of school. Mercilessly teased about it in school by Victoria, Rita and Jo, Chrysanthemum begins to hate her name, in spite of assurances from her parents. Strapped for life with an ugly, unwieldy name, her future looks bleak until the much-admired music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle, reveals that she herself is named Delphinium. Suddenly, Victoria, Rita and Jo are asking to be called Marigold, Carnation and Lily of the Valley. Chrysanthemum grows and eventually blooms in a wry, perfectly paced picture story that's as much fun to read aloud as it is to listen to. (Ages 3-7)

Owen the mouse and Fuzzy the blanket have been constant companions for a lifetime. "Fuzzy goes where I go," Owen asserts. And Fuzzy does with little fuss or bother until nosy Mrs. Tweezers from next-door comments that Owen is too old to cling to a security blanket. With their neighbor's helpful advice, Owen's parents try every trick in the book to separate the two, but Owen always manages to outsmart them. The situation seems hopeless until Owen's mother comes up with a solution that makes everyone happy. Black pen and watercolor paintings add touches of humor to the marvelously plotted, skillfully worded story with universal appeal for the little mouse in all of us. (Ages 3-8)

Billy is getting bigger and bigger every day, his parents tell him, and when he demands to know just how big he will get, the family launches into an amusing fantasy scenario in which Billy is so big he can move the clouds by blowing on them and wear a rainbow around his neck. Nancy Tafuri's uncluttered watercolor illustrations make a believable transition from reality to fantasy by first showing Billy as a giant among his toy boat, truck and houses, and then as a Gulliver of a child stepping over real trees and lakes in his imagination. (Ages 2-4)

Retiring after 42 years as a mail carrier, Curtis's last day making his rounds is filled with memories, good wishes and small gifts from an appreciative community. "We'll miss you, Curtis," they all tell him and it is obvious that Curtis will miss his customers, too. Kevin Henkes's simple, patterned text will hook young listeners who are already tuned in to the comforting predictability of neighborhood routines. Marisabina Russo's brightly colored gouache paintings bring the neighborhood filled with shops and houses, children and grownups, and cats and dogs to life. (Ages 3-6)

Lilly loves school, her "pointy pencils," the "squeaky chalk," the "clickety-clickety-clack" sounds her red cowgirl boots make in the halls, and "the privacy of her very own desk." Lilly especially loves her teacher Mr. Slinger, who "is sharp as a tack," wears "a different colored tie each day of the week," and provides cheesy snacks. The normally loquacious Lilly is almost speechless when she tries to say why Mr. Slinger is such a good teacher. "Wow. That was just about all she could say. Wow." One day Lilly brings a new purple plastic purse, movie star sunglasses and three shiny quarters to school. Her new possessions become such distractions to her that Mr. Slinger sets them on his desk during the day. Lilly's mean-spirited retaliation to such injustice soon makes her miserable. Her parents and Mr. Slinger help their basically warm-hearted, strong-willed child to move beyond the anxious episode. It's relatively easy for young children to forget that Lilly and the other characters are rodents, because author/artist Henkes has them behaving as most humans might under similar circumstances. It could be easy for adults to overlook Henkes' mastery of picture book narrative, splendid watercolor illustrations and superb page designs because--like Mr. Slinger and Lilly's parents--he makes what he does so superbly look effortless. Wow. (Ages 4-8)

"In the big square house live two circle dogs. / See the dogs? See the circles? Shh. They're sleeping now." Soon enough the two curled-up dachshunds awaken and stretch, and we are treated to the sights and sounds of everyday life with two lively dogs, as seen from the perspective of a small child. Henkes is right on target with his wry observations, from the clinking of dog tags and clacking of toenails to the stomp, whoosh, grrrrowl of the midday mail. Yaccarino's flat, stylized illustrations are at once sophisticated and childlike as they combine abstraction with the familiar and comforting repetition of circles and squares. There's an old-fashioned feel to the book as a whole: Henkes's intimate child-centered text rivals the best writing of Margaret Wise Brown, while Yaccarino's style is reminiscent of Esphyr Slobodkina's illustrations for Brown's classic, The Little Fireman (William Scott, 1938). Highly Commended, 1999 Charlotte Zolotow Award. (Ages 2-4)

After the snow "falls and falls all night," everyone wants to get out to play the next morning: a squirrel, a rabbit, a dog, a cat, the birds, and the children. Kevin Henkes's understated, lyrical text captures all the joy of a fresh snowfall. Readers are invited to experience the wonder by playing with the moods evoked when you change the intonation of the word "oh!" The shared experience is exquisitely reflected in Laura Dronzek's acrylic paintings, which use sharply contrasting blue and white to express the bracing cold of a snowy day. These paintings are enclosed in small, square-shaped frames, which give a sense of warmth and intimacy. At the days end, when the "snow turns blue," we get a satisfying recapitulation of the day. Then the children rush inside. Through the window their cozy home, the children are pleased to see the snow falling once again, creating a new world of wonder for the next day. (Ages 2-4)

Young Wemberly is a small mouse who worries about almost everything. "Wemberly worried about the tree in the front yard (What if it falls on our house?), and the crack in the living room wall (What if it gets bigger and something comes out of it?), and the noise the radiators made (What if there's a snake inside?)." Her parents (who can't help but worry about her) and her comically hip ("Go with the flow") grandmother do their best to reassure her, but worrying just seems to be part of Wemberly's nature. Wemberly's newest worry is her biggest yet: she's about to start preschool. This looming event generates a whole new list of worries for Wemberly. But her astute teacher, Mrs. Peachum, knows just what to do. He pairs Wemberly with the ideal classmate to make her first day of school a great success. Much of this book's gentle humor is in the illustrations. The superbly paced narrative will leave children giggling at Wemberly's worries but never laughing at Wemberly. Children know there is nothing funny about fear, and Henkes is masterful at illuminating real childhood concerns with humor without making light of them. One or more of Wemberly's worries is sure to resonate with just about every young reader or listener. So while this is above all fine story-time entertainment, a little subtle reassurance is apt to be delivered along with the smiles. (Ages 3-7)

Domineering, bossy Margaret thinks she's in control of every situation but her patient and resourceful little brother, Taylor, always wins in the end. A warm, funny story of sibling rivalry unfolds in seven short episodic chapters, generously illustrated with fine pencil drawings. Tight, crisp prose and innovative design are striking features in an outstanding book for young readers by a Racine native who is now a junior at UW-Madison.
(Ages 4-9)

Because the neighborhood mail carrier, Barney, realizes that young Whitaker Murphy's letters to his superhero, Frogman, are the result of an active, trusting imagination, he decides to answer the letters himself, writing as Frogman might himself, were he real. A carefully chosen typeface, occasional small line drawings,a nd page layouts with ample white space enable newly independent readers to enjoy a chapter book by this author from Racine, Wisconsin. (Ages 7-11)

Ten-year-old Wedge and his impulsive young mother now live with King, new stepfather, new husband, and proud owner of a miniature golf course. King is not exactly Wedge's picture of the father he so greatly desires to have in his life. Believable characters, realistic action, and short well-paced chapters make this nicely designed novel an absorbing story for young readers. (Ages 7-12)

The Vorlob family expected chaos when the new baby arrived, but 10-year old Adine didn't count on Aunt Irene's extended visit to set off her own stormy responses. Adine discovers a new aspect of family give-and-take as she realizes difference can mean possibility. A natural mixture of short and long sentences evokes a point of view and builds confidence for young readers. (Ages 8-11)

Struggling with his mother's death of several years earlier, Blaze feels small and fearful, until he meets Joselle. Joselle is as outspoken and active as Blaze is reserved, although her behavior is often a product of her own problems with her inconsistent mother, whom she calls "The Beautiful Vicki." Blaze and Joselle's unpredictable relationship is fraught with secrets that eventually create an uncrossable chasm between them, although the strengths they have both gained from their friendship are not lost when it dissolves. Henkes excels at using symbolism and literary devices that are completely accessible to his young audience. Stunning characterizations highlight the remarkable story told in the alternating points of view of Blaze and Joselle. (Ages 9-12)

"If you want everything to be perfect, you're just setting yourself up for disappointment," Fanny's father, Henry, tells his 12-year-old daughter. An only child, Fanny wants the December holidays to be the same every year: same cookies, same decorations, same reading of "The Snow Queen." Within their loving family, Fanny's sense of happiness differs from that of her artist father. Henry paints vessels he imagines as empty, while she imagines what is in each one. Fanny's mother, Ellen, is unfazed by these differing life views."Scratch the surface of anyone," she says, "and you are bound to find complexities." Protecting Marie contains complex adult characters, but it is always Fanny's story. Readers will easily follow Fanny's desire for a dog, getting one, losing it through Henry's impatience, getting another dog and worrying about how it will get along. Long ago, Fanny learned to hide her hand-crafted paper figure named Marie whenever Henry helped her tidy her room according to his standards. Readers will understand the lack of power that goes along with being young. When they re-read Protecting Marie, and they will, they can relax from the mounting suspense of the first reading and begin to enjoy Fanny's developing friendship with Timothy. Some will be able to discover the Madison, Wisconsin, sites where the plot unfolds. Others might notice repeated references to the color red, images of winter and ice, and triangular shapes and begin wondering about their meanings. The book ends with the line, "The options were limitless." They are - for Fanny and Timothy, for Henry and Ellen, and for the readers of this splendid novel. Honor Book: 1995 CCBC Newbery Award Discussion (Ages 10-12)

Although the rest of his family seems to have adjusted to Gram's death, ten-year-old Spoon continues to grieve quietly two months later. His fear that he will begin to forget his grandmother becomes almost an obsession with him as he searches for the perfect memento, something private that will always remind him of her. He thinks he has found just the right thing when he takes her favorite deck of playing cards from the bottom drawer in her dining room cabinet, the one with a picture of a sun on the back of each card. And, at first, things seem perfect: sleeping with the deck under his pillow inspires dreams of Gram and sharpens his memory. But when his grandfather announces that the deck is missing, Spoon is filled with remorse and worry. Kevin 's eloquently spare novel shows his deep understanding of the inner life of the child, which comes through in his outstanding characterization of the main character. Spoon is both moody and thoughtful, a middle child who sees himself as nobody's favorite since his grandma died. He is learning how to cope after having lost his place in the sun. enriches the narrative with subtle imagery relating to sunlight and shadow, changes in weather and in emotions, and the natural growth that results from it all. (Ages 9-12)

Twelve-year-old Ben doesn't remember the accident that caused him to lose his little finger. Nor does he remember the uncle, Ian, who was babysitting at the time. The accident led to an unresolved family rift. So Ben is happy to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Uncle Ian's house for his 12th birthday. In fact, the trip makes him much happier than does his parents' gift: a special room he can use as an art studio. The guilt Ben feels about not really wanting his parents' gift is no match for the guilt Ben's mom and uncle both feel about the accident, but it's at least an opening to understanding. This understanding has a chance to grow as he observes the complicated sibling relationship between his mom and Uncle Ian, and when something he does unwittingly contributes to the injury of a neighbor child. In Ben's world, one must learn to listen to what people don't say to know what they mean. Henkes subtly uses action and symbolism to unfold the story and to show Ben's growth. Honor Book, 2000 CCBC Newbery Discussion (Ages 9-13)

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