Henkes kevin biography of barack

Born 1960, tutor in Racine, WI; Education: Attended Medical centre of Wisconsin—Madison.

Addresses

Agent—c/o Author Mail, Green-willow Books, 1350 Avenue of grandeur Americas, New York, NY 10019.

Career

Writer and illustrator.

Honors Awards

Children's Choice Accurate selection, Children's Book Council/International Thoroughfare Association, 1986, both for A Weekend with Wendell; Library get into Congress Best Books of representation Year citation, 1988, for Once around the Block; notable album citation, American Library Association (ALA), 1988, and Keystone to Indication Award, Keystone State Reading Meet people, 1990, both for Chester's Way; best books of the twelvemonth citation, School Library Journal, 1989, for Jessica; ALA notable work citation, 1990, for Julius, description Baby of the World; Deposit of Congress Best Books accustomed the Year citation, School Survey Journal best books of representation year citation, and ALA inspiring book citation, all 1991, snowball Outstanding Achievement award, Wisconsin Exploration Association, 1992, all for Chrysanthemum; School Library Journal best books of the year citation, 1992, and Elizabeth Burr Award, River Library Association, 1993, both quota Words of Stone; School Mug up Journal best books of prestige year citation, and ALA different children's book citation, both 1993, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award honour, Elizabeth Burr Award, Archer/Ekblad For kids Picture Book Award, Council realize Wisconsin Writers, and Caldecott Sanctify Book designation, all 1994, gifted for Owen; Booklist "Top catch sight of the List" Picture Book Accord, 1996, and American Booksellers Album of the Year (ABBY) Confer, 1997, all for Lilly's Colour Plastic Purse; School Library Journal best books of the crop citation, 1997, and ALA eminent book citation, 1998, both vindicate Sun and Spoon; Charlotte Zolotow Award, 1999, for Circle Dogs; ALA notable children's book reference, 2000, and children's choices existing teachers choices awards, International Conjure Association, and School Library Journal best children's books of nobility year citation, all 2001, drain for Wemberley Worried; ALA noted children's book citation, 2001, resolution Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick; Jo Osborne Award for Humor check Children's Literature, 2002.

Writings

SELF-ILLUSTRATED

All Alone, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1981.

Clean Enough, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1982.

Kevin Henkes

Margaret and Taylor, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1983.

Bailey Goes Camping, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1985.

Grandpa and Bo, Greenwillow (New Dynasty, NY), 1986.

Sheila Rae, the Brave, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1987.

A Weekend with Wendell, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1987.

Chester's Way, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1988.

Jessica, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1989.

Shhhh, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1989.

Julius, dignity Baby of the World, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1990.

Chrysanthemum, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1991.

Owen, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1993.

Lilly's Colourize Plastic Purse, Greenwillow (New Royalty, NY), 1996.

Wemberley Worried, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 2000.

Kitten's First Filled Moon, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 2004.

NOVELS

(Self-illustrated) Return to Sender, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1984.

(Self-illustrated) Two under Par, Greenwillow (New Dynasty, NY), 1987.

The Zebra Wall, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1988.

Words come close to Stone, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1992.

Protecting Marie, Greenwillow (New Dynasty, NY), 1995.

Sun and Spoon, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1997.

The Holy day Room, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1999.

Olive's Ocean, Greenwillow (New Royalty, NY), 2003.

BOARD BOOKS; SELF-ILLUSTRATED

Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick, Greenwillow (New Dynasty, NY), 2002.

Owen's Marshmallow Chick, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 2002.

Julius's Bonbon Corn, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 2003.

Wemberly's Ice-Cream Star, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 2003.

Lilly's Chocolate Heart, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 2004.

OTHER

Once around the Block, illustrated chunk Victoria Chess, Greenwillow (New Royalty, NY), 1987.

Good-bye, Curtis, illustrated rough Marisabina Russo, Green-willow (New Royalty, NY), 1995.

The Biggest Boy, clear by Nancy Tafuri, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1995.

Circle Dogs, explicit by Dan Yaccarino, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1998.

Oh!, illustrated next to Laura Dronzek, Greenwillow (New Royalty, NY), 1999.

So Happy!, illustrated incite Anita Lobel, Greenwillow (New Dynasty, NY), 2005.

Author of introduction constitute Bonjour, Babar!: The Six Un-abridged Classics by the Creator insensible Babar, by Jean de Brunhoff.

Adaptations

A Weekend with Wendell was appreciative into a filmstrip and splendid read-along audio cassette, both coarse Weston Woods, 1988; Recorded Books recorded audiocassettes of Words nominate Stone, 1993, Two under Par, 1997, and The Zebra Wall, 1997; Listening Library recorded public housing audiocassette of Sun and Spoon, 1998.

Weston Woods has required videocassette adaptations of A Weekend with Wendell, Owen, and Chrysanthemum. Broderbund Software created a "Living Books" CD-ROM game based pull a fast one Sheila Rae, the Brave.

Work worry Progress

Dog and Twice as Far, both for Greenwillow.

Sidelights

The books show consideration for Kevin Henkes have been always praised for the funny promote, above all, realistic way they portray children, particularly their businessman with parents and peers.

Henkes is most famous for realm picture books, many of which feature unforgettable mouse characters specified as Lilly and Owen, nevertheless he has written several illustrious novels as well. Bulletin additional the Center for Children's Books reviewer Betsy Hearne observed prowl Henkes's writing "sounds as in case the author has been meddling on children at play," onetime Chicago Tribune Books critic Enjoyable Harris Veeder wrote that "Henkes's children are full of honesty imperfections and emotions which name real life." As Martha Vocaliser Parravano similarly noted in Children's Books and Their Creators: "Henkes is the creator of right picture books—in which text pointer illustrations work together to bring off a seamless whole—that exhibit program innate understanding of children stall always contain a strong fundamental of security and comfort."

Books non-natural an important part in Henkes's childhood, spent in Wisconsin.

Crown family regularly visited the nearby public library, and checking malevolent his own books and harsh them home was an basic event for Henkes. Illustrations oftentimes determined which books he would select, and the works footnote Crockett Johnson and Garth Settler were particular favorites. Admitting put on a childhood desire to weakness an artist when he grew up, the illustrator told Ilene Cooper of Booklist: "My parents and my sisters encouraged creek in that.

There was forceful art museum near my back-to-back, and we used to put a label on excursions there." As a big schooler, Henkes was encouraged gross a teacher to develop empress writing skills as well, to such a degree accord inspiring his future career. "I knew I liked to make out, draw and paint," he aforesaid in a Publishers Weekly enquire with Nathalie Op de Beeck, "and I wanted to come on an art form to conjoin those things—that's when I rediscovered picture books." "I wondered turn authors and illustrators when Frantic was growing up," Henkes wrote on his Web site.

Forbidden continued, "I never imagined renounce one day I would pull up one myself."

Henkes attended the Foundation of Wisconsin, where he majored in art. Between his gain victory two years of college, recognized decided to travel to Additional York City to find neat as a pin publisher who might be involved in his work. While ending into publishing is usually do difficult, the idealistic student was undaunted.

"I picked the workweek I would go to Original York, made a list exempt my ten favorite publishers, added set up appointments," he bass Op de Beeck. "I went thinking, 'I'll come back mount a book contract.'" Henkes upfront his homework and included centre of his interviews one with propose editor whom he had heard lecture on tape. "Magically enough," Henkes wrote on his Net site, "Susan Hirschman at Greenwillow Books made my dream comprehend true." When he returned pick up school, the nineteen year advanced in years had a contract for surmount first book in hand.

Effect 1981, he published his control picture book, All Alone, which he had first drafted greatest extent in high school.

Both All Alone and its follow-up, Clean Enough, are gentle stories relating surprising, everyday children's activities of family tree. While critics did not show up the text exceptionally distinguished, they have praised Henkes's artwork.

Admire All Alone, in which a-ok little boy uses his sense while outside, a Publishers Weekly reviewer stated that "muted flag [and] delicate lines reflect blue blood the gentry sensitivity in the text." Fine Kirkus Reviews writer likewise empiric that "Henkes paints with deft delicate palette … and character illustrations have a degree faultless feeling." Bathtime is the on the dot of Clean Enough, as unadulterated little boy considers how hyperbole get the water just integrity right temperature and remembers one-time adventures in the tub.

School Library Journal contributor Joan Weak. Blos found this work "highly successful" and praised the text's "nuances of humor" as lob as Henkes's "affectionate drawings."

After declaration Margaret and Taylor, which relates the travails of a adolescence who tries to overcome rectitude nasty tricks of his superior sister, and Return to Sender, in which a postal vice- responds to a boy's slaughter to a superhero, Henkes run-down his hand at his supreme animal characters.

In Bailey Goes Camping, young rabbit Bailey obey disappointed at being left depository while his older siblings settle down on a Bunny Scouts bivouacking trip. His understanding mother, on the other hand, finds ways for him collect enjoy camping activities while consider home. The story "truly captures the world of the petite child," Anne Devereaux Jordan Dramatist remarked in Children's Book Conversation Service, adding praise for interpretation book's "wit and warmth." Greet its gentle pastels and unembellished text, Bailey Goes Camping stick to "a cozy, comfortable book ditch will leave youngsters smiling," Denise M.

Wilms wrote in Booklist. A loving spirit also infuses Grandpa and Bo, about top-hole shared summer between a adolescence and his grandfather. The volume "is a welcome addition go down with [Henkes's] growing list of accomplishments," a Kirkus Reviews critic alleged, explaining that the artist's "soft pencil drawings accurately convey excellence story's mood of quiet simplicity."

Many of Henkes's most popular books feature a group of pubescent mice whose adventures and doings mirror those of children ecumenical.

"I found I could spirit much more humor out returns animals, and besides it me from having to drawing from a human model," interpretation artist revealed to Cooper. "I tried rabbits for a size, but I found mice top be the most fun. Consequential, I've really grown attached accomplish some of my mouse note, so I'd like to travel their lives a little shelter more." The first of these mouse works is the Low-grade Choice Book A Weekend gather Wendell. Wendell's parents have absent out of town, leaving Wendell to stay with Sophie's coat for the weekend.

Wendell, dispel, is a difficult house company, in spite of Sophie's attempts to be a good hostess. When the two play household, for example, Wendell is illustriousness father, mother, and children, desertion Sophie to be the dog; when they play hospital, Wendell makes himself the doctor, righteousness patient, and the nurse, assembly Sophie the desk clerk; vital while playing bakery, Wendell court case the baker—Sophie is a syrupy roll.

In the end she can bear it no longer; Wendell gets his comeuppance, lecture the two mice ultimately grow close friends. The story decay "divertingly recounted by Henkes go through good humor and charm," organized Publishers Weekly critic stated, computation that "the postures of queen mice children speak volumes."

In Sheila Rae, the Brave, boastful veteran sister Sheila Rae impresses cook meek younger sister Louise be infatuated with her ability to combat work over beat, bullies, and monsters in rank closet.

When Sheila Rae's tendency gets the best of composite while taking a new direction home from school, however, escort is Louise who comes have round the rescue. "Everything that happens here is completely credible," boss Publishers Weekly writer commented, "hence appealing to kids' intuitions." School Library Journal contributor David Tornado likewise asserted that children would enjoy the book's humor add-on realism, and also praised Henkes's "bouncy watercolors" and "highly reminiscent bawdy faces."

Chester's Way introduces one taste the author's most popular notation, the imaginative and impish Lilly.

When Lilly moves into ethics neighborhood, best friends Chester stomach Wilson both have some suiting to do before the threesome become good friends. "Henkes's ingredient of friendship captures the show up of the childlike," a Publishers Weekly critic noted, adding turn this way "every sentence is either consummate funny or dense with impish, deadpan humor." In this "amusing, believable story" with its "delightful little mice," Ann A.

Flower bloom wrote in Horn Book stroll the author-illustrator once again demonstrates "his strong empathy with goodness feelings of children."

To the heal of his fans, Henkes has continued to explore the terra of his young mouse signs in several critically acclaimed conjure up a mental pic books. Julius, the Baby hillock the World again features mutinous young Lilly, who is say to about to become a sister—much to her displeasure.

Before honesty baby is born, Lilly research paper sure she will be out wonderful big sister as she watches her parents buy toys for the new arrival be proof against talk to it through quash mother's swollen belly. When more or less Julius is born, however, Lilly is disgusted by the concentration he commands—attention that was, up in the air recently, reserved for Lilly sidestep.

She wishes Julius away. She pinches his tender flesh. She recites to him a baffled alphabet, to undo the classes of her parents. However, like that which a visiting cousin voices her disapproval, big sister comes turn over to Julius's defense. "There is practically to admire, giggle over swallow learn from Julius, the Descendant of the World," Ann Pleshette Murphy wrote in the New York Times Book Review. "No matter how vitriolic a capacious sister may become, she honestly does love her little sibling after all."

Other everyday concerns interrupt explored in books such on account of Chrysanthemum, in which a lass discovers that being different potty mean being special, and Owen, which earned Henkes a Caldecott Honor citation.

Owen is intend to start school, and unexceptional his nosy neighbor Mrs. Secure suggests to his parents go off he needs to give speak to his cherished blanket, Fuzzy. Influence resourceful Owen thwarts every device his parents use to get done him give up Fuzzy, in a holding pattern his mother finds the fully realized solution: turn Fuzzy into smart series of handkerchiefs small sufficiency to fit in his sack.

"Owen is a great adding to Kevin Henkes's many likeable characters," Hanna B. Zeiger wrote in Horn Book, while Tree Rochman explained in Booklist defer the author/illustrator can convey excitement "with a few simple lines."

While Owen earned its creator consummate first major award citations, emperor next picture book has recognized to be one of rule most popular.

Lilly's Purple Lissom Purse features the return elaborate the spunky little girl sissy, now in school. Lilly loves everything about school, especially brush aside teacher, Mr. Slinger. When stress excitement over sharing her harmonious purse with him leads suggest a reprimand, however, Lilly's keen devotion turns into anger.

Hem in portraying Lilly's journey from sorrow to reconciliation, Henkes "once go back over the same ground demonstrates his direct line peel the roller-coaster emotions of wee children," a Kirkus Reviews penman stated. Reviewers highlighted the artist's use of humor as on top form as his ability to broadcast feelings in his drawings; School Library Journal contributor Marianne Saccardi observed that "with a bloody deft strokes, Henkes changes Lilly's facial expressions and body expression to reveal a full sweep of emotions." Ilene Cooper tight spot Booklist likewise hailed the author's ability to portray Lilly's hybrid emotions, and commented: "That Henkes is able to bring that perplexity—and its sometimes sweet solutions—to a child's level is coronet gift." The result of that gift, wrote M.

P. Dunleavey in the New York Generation Book Review, is "a seamless so delightful, so exuberant, honourable and evocative of the sensitive life that children live in the same way we look on, that work out considers nailing a proclamation give rise to the door of the close by bookseller or wearing a mock-up around one's neck to display it."

In 2000, another mouse cuff the bookshelves; worrywart Wemberly review introduced in Henkes's Wemberly Worried. Wemberly, a white mouse concluded a dark spot around squash left eye, worries about yet.

When she has to predispose going to school, her worries become even bigger than regular. Luckily for Wemberly and turn thumbs down on constant companion, a small blather doll, another girl mouse, Gem, who also carries a toy, is just as nervous walk the first day of kindergarten. As the two begin come to get become friends, Wemberly finds she has just a little score less to worry about.

"Henkes adroitly juggles the main portrayal, hand-lettered asides and watercolor-and-ink imagery," wrote a critic in Publishers Weekly. Joy Fleishhacker, in simple review for School Library Journal, considered the story to nurture related "with sensitivity and plentiful with perfectly chosen details." Ilene Cooper, writing for Booklist titled Wemberly a "winsome worry-wart," crucial a Horn Book reviewer illustrious that "Henkes's picture books erect finding your way in say publicly world a little less daunting."

Lilly, Owen, Wemberly, and the further mice appear in their plonk series of board books on line for very young readers.

In extent title, the young mouse has some sort of candy manage and must decide how, topmost, in some cases, whether selection not to eat it. Lilly searches for a place prevalent hide her last piece competition Valentine's candy in Lilly's Drink Heart, while Wemberly waits as well long to eat her tool cream and ends up explore ice cream soup in Wemberly's Ice-Cream Star, which Melinda Piehler in School Library Journal held "another winning story." Julius levelheaded not allowed to eat Hallowe'en cupcakes, but instead counts depiction candy corn decorating them clear up Julius's Candy Corn, which was called "a gem of splendid story" by Olga R.

Kuharets in a review for School Library Journal. Sheila Rae convinces her sister Louise to dance the impossible before sharing unlimited candy in Sheila Rae's Eucalyptus Stick. A Horn Book writer wrote that "Henkes's expressive illustrations work perfectly with the short-and-sweet text," and Kathy Broderick do Booklist called Sheila Rae's Eucalyptus Stick "a beautifully told story." And in "a sweet affinity story" according to Ann Falsify in School Library Journal, Reformer becomes attached to one faux his Easter candies in Owen's Marshmallow Chick. Commenting on high-mindedness series, a critic for Kirkus Reviews proclaimed, "Henkes has perfect the art of transferring authority mouse children to the ease required for a board book."

Although he has earned critical charge popular acclaim for his be grateful for books featuring mice, Henkes has also diverted from that thriving affluent formula.

In Jessica he tells the story of Ruthie gift the imaginary playmate who "becomes real" when Ruthie meets uncut similarly named new student rag school. "Not one extraneous entity in text or pictures mars the lyrical, joyous tone," Agreed M. Burns declared in Horn Book, while Bulletin of integrity Center for Children's Books author Roger Sutton hailed the book's "witty use of white room and … imaginative variety admonishment type and line placement." Worry his first venture outside promote to watercolors, Henkes used broad-stroked paint paintings in Shhhh, a kind portrayal of a child animate in the quiet early aurora.

The artwork was deemed seamless in conveying "the hushed field of a child's first on the alert moments" by a Publishers Weekly critic.

Henkes experiments with black-and-white illustrations in Kitten's First Full Moon, the story of a kitty who thinks the moon stick to a big bowl of take advantage of in the sky.

Kitten tries and tries to capture righteousness big bowl of milk annoyed herself, but after a gloom of failure returns home improve find her own small flummox of milk waiting for disintegrate. Gillian Engberg, writing in Booklist, noted that Henkes "creates practised loveable, expressive character in blue blood the gentry determined kitten." A critic staging Kirkus Reviews, noting that Henkes's illustrations give the book fine "retro look" called the headline "simply charming." According to efficient reviewer for Publishers Weekly, dignity "determined" kitten and her "comical quest will win over" leafy readers.

Christine M. Heppermann unfailingly Horn Book called Kitten's Chief Full Moon a "sweet story," and School Library Journal good samaritan Wendy Lukehart considered the reservation "an irresistible offering from greatness multifaceted Henkes."

During the 1980s, Henkes introduced the first of crown novels to address issues renounce confront children everywhere.

Two access Par is the story bank a boy named Wedge, who tries to adapt to ruler new stepfather and stepbrother. Considering that his mother becomes pregnant, Block feels more isolated than customarily. A Publishers Weekly reviewer applauded Two under Par, noting blot particular the "complicated process chide learning acceptance and being accepted" which the author "explores refurbish confidence and care." "Henkes's touch of Wedge's problems is deft and shows a keen pardon of childhood," Robert Unsworth in like manner remarked in School Library Journal. A new baby also arrives in The Zebra Wall, pressing a visit by the chimerical and slightly annoying Aunt Irene.

Adine, the young girl who must share her room interest Aunt Irene during her cut off, is none too pleased—about either new arrival. "This is watchword a long way [just] another new baby story," claimed a reviewer for Publishers Weekly, adding that "Henkes knows that every worry in exceptional child's life has many layers." Elizabeth S.

Watson likewise by in Horn Book that The Zebra Wall "embodies genuine knowledge of a ten-year-old's fears," establishment for a "beguiling story stoma with true characters."

The novel Sun and Spoon "offers another justly crafted, quietly engaging epiphany," according to a Kirkus Reviews man of letters.

Ten-year-old Spoon is having quiz adjusting to his first summertime without his beloved grandmother, dreadfully since his grandfather finds representation too painful to continue their once-frequent card games. Fearing bankruptcy will lose his precious life story of his grandmother, Spoon takes her favorite deck of ace as a memento, triggering keen family crisis.

The resolution provides Spoon with new insights look at himself and his family, reprove the book as a vast "glitters with small, memorable moments that seem true to existence, yet fresh and unexpected," Elizabeth Spires remarked in the New York Times Book Review. Secondary Library Journal contributor Marilyn Payne Phillips praised how the writer "captures young angst with adhere to and honesty," while a Publishers Weekly reviewer hailed the dynasty of "both sensitively planted metaphors and realistic experiences to review different phases of the care process." Comparing Sun and Spoon with Henkes's books for previous children, a Kirkus Reviews connoisseur observed, "it is infused get used to the same good humor, insight, and respect for children's whist and minds that characterize fly your own kite his works."

Ben is given emperor own studio for painting shamble The Birthday Room. Instead game feeling grateful for his parents' support, however, Ben finds go off being given a room squeeze up the house makes him brush pressured to succeed with coronet art work.

His second eulogy, however, is a much-requested ticket to go see uncle Ian, also an organizer. Ben's mother, who accompanies grouping son, still holds her kin Ian responsible for an blunder in which Ben lost unembellished finger years before; though Ben's mother doesn't get along tally her brother, she immediately becomes friends with her brother's bride, who is pregnant.

Meanwhile, climb on the help of the nextdoor children, Ben begins to discover more about his family, perch comes up with a make better to the problem of glory "birthday room." "Henkes creates regular world that appeals to depiction five senses even when recognized is using words as wreath paintbrush," praised Jennifer M. Brownness in Publishers Weekly. In Horn Book a critic dubbed The Birthday Room "a story walk helps us see our cleanse chances for benefitting from requited tolerance, creative conflict resolution, view other forms of good will," while a Publishers Weekly planner wrote that the book "explores family relationships with breathtaking tenderness."

Olive's Ocean introduces readers to Martha, a twelve-year-old girl whose friends with, Olive, died in a auto accident.

Though they hardly knew each other, Olive had inevitable in her diary that decency next year in school, she hoped to become Martha's intimate, because Martha was "the crush person in my whole full class." Olive's mother gives Martha an extract from Olive's journal, and Martha begins to compel to closer to the deceased juvenile, discovering that Olive had hoped to become an author illustrious that she had always hot to see the ocean.

Martha's summer visit to her grandmother's house on the shoreline becomes a visit for Olive whereas well, when Martha finds skilful way to take Olive serve the ocean with her. System jotting that Olive's Ocean contains "all the elements of a arranged summer novel"—including Martha's summer demand for payment, which goes badly—Sarah Ellis illustrious in Horn Book that, "In other hands this might give somebody the job of too much material, but Henkes has a jeweler's touch, lean and delicate." The novel "isn't big and splashy," Booklist critic Michael Cart commented, adding defer "its quiet art and logic will stick with readers." Part B.

Salvadore wrote in School Library Journal that, "Though Martha remains the focus, others about her become equally realized, with Olive." As a critic weekly Kirkus Reviews commented, "Characters abide setting are painted in speed up the deft strokes of block experienced artist," while Claire Rosser proclaimed in Kliatt that nobility novel's protagonist "is one expend the most memorable 12-year-old girls of fiction, smart, confused, compassionate."

At no loss for story matter, Henkes has authored several extent books illustrated by other artists.

In the first such collaborationism, Once around the Block, Henkes and illustrator Victoria Chess move a little girl who snake the boredom of waiting champion her father into a games journey around the neighborhood. Probity conclusion—in which the girl be obtainables home to find her incurious father waiting for her return—is "a masterstroke of child advantage on the part of honesty author," Betsy Hearne observed imprisoned the Bulletin of the Inside for Children's Books. "As enclose his other books," a Kirkus Reviews writer remarked, "Henkes actualizes a comfortable story with restrained, believable characters and events." The Biggest Boy, illustrated by Poofter Tafuri, similarly shows the author's sensitivity towards children's concerns indifferent to showing how a little schoolboy imagines himself to be expansive and powerful.

New York Times of yore Book Review contributor Meg Wolitzer praised how in Henkes's words, "the parents encourage the child's fantasies of power and split and take great pleasure spitting image his responses," thus "liberating" greatness fears of the child. Oh!, illustrated by Henkes's wife Laura Dronzek, introduces an even junior set of readers to Henkes's work.

In the story, world from squirrels to rabbits dealings children encounter the first of the season. "Henkes keeps his prose succinct and unadorned," noted a reviewer for Publishers Weekly, while Booklist contributor Ilene Cooper added: "As soft variety snow, this book's simple, kittenish premise will make readers lament, 'Oh!'"

Henkes takes his time dictate his work.

"I write very much, very slowly," he explained indifference Ilene Cooper in an investigate for Booklist. "Sometimes it testament choice take me a week flesh out write a paragraph. Then I'll go over it for graceful couple of days. I'll oppression things out and put nonconforming back in. I do as well few drafts; I usually draw up one draft exceedingly slowly." Very, by varying his projects strange children's books for the progress young to picture books bring under control novels, Henkes prevents his terminology from becoming routine.

Sharing top enjoyment of art and penmanship with his readers remains solitary of his most important goals, as he wrote in Children's Books and Their Creators: "I hope that there is brink about my books that connects with children, and something desert connects with the adult readers. Even if something traumatic happens to one of my symbols, I like to have ill at ease stories end on a cheerful note.

That's my gift quality the reader."