Kevin Henkes
Encyclopedia
Kevin Henkes is a successful children's book illustrator and author known for winning both the Caldecott Medal
for illustration and the Newbery Honor for writing. He is perhaps most famous for his book, Kitten's First Full Moon
, which won the 2005 Caldecott Medal.
Henkes is author and illustrator of children's picturebooks, many of which feature mice
as their main characters. He also writes young-adult fiction. Henkes wrote his first book during his freshman year in college. The book's theme deals with how a child describes the pleasures of occasional solitude
. This theme is common in many of Henkes' later books. Henkes, one of five children, says that many of his storylines are inspired by his family and the neighborhood where he grew up in Racine, Wisconsin
.
Henkes' first book, All Alone, was published in 1981 by Greenwillow Books. More than 30 books followed, including Chrysanthemum
and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Henkes won the 2004 Newbery Honor for Olive's Ocean
, a 1994 Caldecott Honor for Owen, and a 2005 Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon. All of his books to date have been published by Greenwillow Books.
. He lives in Madison
with his wife, artist Laura Dronzek, and their two children.
He has four other siblings.
Caldecott Medal
The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children , a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year. The award was named in honor of nineteenth-century English...
for illustration and the Newbery Honor for writing. He is perhaps most famous for his book, Kitten's First Full Moon
Kitten's First Full Moon
Kitten's First Full Moon is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Published in 2004, the book tells the story of a kitten who thinks the moon is a bowl of milk. Henkes won the 2005 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations. The book is in black and white and typeset in...
, which won the 2005 Caldecott Medal.
Career
Kevin Henkes thought he would be an artist until his junior year of high school, when one of his teachers encouraged him in his writing efforts. He discovered that children's books combined both his literary and artistic interests.Henkes is author and illustrator of children's picturebooks, many of which feature mice
Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse . It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. This rodent is eaten by large birds such as hawks and eagles...
as their main characters. He also writes young-adult fiction. Henkes wrote his first book during his freshman year in college. The book's theme deals with how a child describes the pleasures of occasional solitude
Solitude
Solitude is a state of seclusion or isolation, i.e., lack of contact with people. It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, infectious disease, mental disorders, neurological disorders or circumstances of employment or situation .Short-term solitude is often valued as a time when one...
. This theme is common in many of Henkes' later books. Henkes, one of five children, says that many of his storylines are inspired by his family and the neighborhood where he grew up in Racine, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
.
Henkes' first book, All Alone, was published in 1981 by Greenwillow Books. More than 30 books followed, including Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum (book)
Chrysanthemum is the title of a 1991 children's picture book by the American writer and illustrator Kevin Henkes. The plot deals with a young mouse named Chrysanthemum, who loves her name until classmates tease her about it. However, a pregnant teacher defends her and her family comfort her...
and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Henkes won the 2004 Newbery Honor for Olive's Ocean
Olive's Ocean
Olive's Ocean is a 2003 book by Kevin Henkes that won the 2004 Newbery Honor. The story's idea was taken from Kevin Henkes' question, "What was it like for authors growing up?"-Plot:...
, a 1994 Caldecott Honor for Owen, and a 2005 Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon. All of his books to date have been published by Greenwillow Books.
Personal life
Henkes is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. He lives in Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
with his wife, artist Laura Dronzek, and their two children.
He has four other siblings.
Books and Awards
- All Alone (1981)
- Clean Enough (1982)
- Bailey Goes Camping (1985)
- Grandpa & Bo (1986) and the Council of Wisconsin Writers Picture Book Award.
- A Weekend with Wendell (1986) and Children's Choices 1987.
- Once Around the Block (1987) Library of CongressLibrary of CongressThe Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
Best Books of the Year. - Sheila Rae, the Brave (1987)
- Chester's Way (1988) and the ALA Notable Children's Books 1988.
- Jessica (1989)
- Shhhh (1989)
- Julius, the Baby of the World (1990) Winner of the ALA Notable Children's Books 1990, Booklist Editors ChoiceBooklistBooklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
1990 - ChrysanthemumChrysanthemum (book)Chrysanthemum is the title of a 1991 children's picture book by the American writer and illustrator Kevin Henkes. The plot deals with a young mouse named Chrysanthemum, who loves her name until classmates tease her about it. However, a pregnant teacher defends her and her family comfort her...
(1991) - Owen (1993)
- The Biggest Boy (1995)
- Good-Bye Curtis (1995)
- Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (1996)
- Circle Dogs (1998) Charlotte Zolotow AwardCharlotte Zolotow AwardThe Charlotte Zolotow Award is an American literary award presented annually for outstanding writing in a picture book published in the United States in the preceding year. By contrast, the Caldecott Medal is for outstanding illustration in a picture book...
: Highly Commended 1999. - Oh! (2000)
- Wemberly Worried - Winner of the ALA Notable Children's Book 2000, Parenting MagazineParenting (magazine)Launched in 1987 by Time Inc., Parenting is a magazine for families published in the United States. In February 2009, the magazine became two separate, age-targeted editions: Parenting Early Years, for moms of infants, toddlers and preschoolers; and Parenting School Years, for moms with kids in...
Reading Magic Award 2000, Publishers WeeklyPublishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
Best Children's Books 2001, School Library Journal Best Children's Books 2001 - Olive's OceanOlive's OceanOlive's Ocean is a 2003 book by Kevin Henkes that won the 2004 Newbery Honor. The story's idea was taken from Kevin Henkes' question, "What was it like for authors growing up?"-Plot:...
(2004) Newbery Honor BookNewbery MedalThe John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ... - Kitten's First Full MoonKitten's First Full MoonKitten's First Full Moon is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Published in 2004, the book tells the story of a kitten who thinks the moon is a bowl of milk. Henkes won the 2005 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations. The book is in black and white and typeset in...
(2005) - Lilly's Big Day (2006)
- A Good Day (2007)
- Bird Lake Moon (2008)
- Birds (2009)
- Old Bear (2009)
- My Garden (2010)
- Little White Rabbit (2011)
- Junonia (2011)