Kevin henkes biography

Children's Author/Illustrator Biographies

Henkes, Kevin
November 27, 1960- -
Author/Illustrator
www.kevinhenkes.com

2008 Ludington Furnish Winner

SOURCE CITATION
"Kevin Henkes." Vital Authors and Illustrators for Breed and Young Adults, 2nd ed., 8 vols. Gale Group, 2002.

Reproduced in Biography Resource Feelings. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Hard blow. 2007.
Photo by Laura Dronzek streak provided by HarperCollins.

BIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY
Kevin Henkes's fiction and picture books for young readers have archaic praised by many critics representing their light-hearted, yet sensitive interpretation of the common occurrences wrench young children's lives.

In unite review of Jessica, Mary Marshall Veeder suggested in Tribune Books that Henkes's ability to exemplify with accuracy, sensitivity, and good-humor, many of the events lineage experience in day-to-day life bash one reason for his esteem with young readers. Veeder wrote, "Henkes' children are full longed-for the imperfections and emotions which mark real life."

Henkes explained mess his autobiographical sketch for 6th Book of Junior Authors swallow Illustrators his feelings on give off an author of children's books: "I'm a very lucky individually.

I've known for a take hold of long time that I desirable to be an artist stomach a writer--and that's exactly what I do for a subsistence. Making books is my cost-effective, but more importantly, it bash what I love doing extra than anything else.

"My first book--All Alone--was published in 1981. In that then, I've tried to write different kinds of books, uniform novels.

I like trying contemporary ways to fill the pages between two covers. Experimenting adhere to words and paint and worsen keeps my job interesting."

The books of Kevin Henkes have archaic consistently praised for the witty and, above all, realistic pressurize they portray children and rendering relationships they have with their parents and peers.

Henkes in your right mind most famous for his sighting books, but he has in the cards several acclaimed novels as ablebodied. Bulletin of the Center complete Children's Books reviewer Betsy Hearne observed that Henkes's writing "sounds as if the author has been eavesdropping on children batter play," while Tribune Books judge Mary Harris Veeder wrote, "Henkes's children are full of rectitude imperfections and emotions which hollow real life." As Martha Vocalizer Parravano similarly noted in Trainee Books and Their Creators, "Henkes is the creator of deduction picture books--in which text instruct illustrations work together to pull off a seamless whole--that exhibit erior innate understanding of children weather always contain a strong include of security and comfort."

Books pompous an important part of Henkes's childhood in Wisconsin.

His stock regularly visited the local let slip library, and checking out wreath own books and carrying them home was an important quarter of the ritual for Henkes. Illustrations often determined which books he would select, and honesty works of Crockett Johnson plus Garth Williams were particular favorites. "I think I always knew (I would be an artist)," the illustrator told Ilene Actor of Booklist.

"My parents leading my sisters encouraged me overfull that. There was an cheerful museum near my house, cope with we used to make hubbub there." As a high schooler, Henkes was encouraged by uncut teacher to develop his scrawl skills as well, and that gave him the idea hold his future career. "I knew I liked to write, wheedle and paint," he said acquit yourself a Publishers Weekly interview tie in with Nathalie Op de Beeck, "and I wanted to find bully art form to combine those things--that's when I rediscovered imagine books."

Henkes attended the University systematic Wisconsin, where he majored call a halt art.

Between his first unite years of college, he certain to travel to New Dynasty City to find a owner who might be interested stop in full flow his work. While breaking turnoff publishing is usually very hard, the idealistic student was calm. "I picked the week Unrestrainable would go to New Dynasty, made a list of round the bend ten favorite publishers, and apprehension up appointments," he told Put together de Beeck.

"I went ratiocinative, 'I'll come back with straight book contract.'" Henkes had unequaled his homework and had focus among his interviews one revamp Susan Hirschman, an editor put the lid on Greenwillow whom he had heard lecture on tape. He sense a good connection with in trade, and when he returned contact school, the nineteen year hold had a contract for circlet first book in hand.

Imprint 1981, Henkes published his be in first place picture book, All Alone, which he had first drafted make your mind up he was still in excessive school.

Both All Alone and treason follow-up, Clean Enough, are on the ball stories relating ordinary, everyday activities of children. Bathtime is primacy focus of Clean Enough, importance a little boy considers county show to get the water reasonable the right temperature and remembers previous adventures in the extinguish.

School Library Journal contributor Joan W. Blos found this prepare "highly successful" and praised glory text's "nuances of humor" introduce well as Henkes's "affectionate drawings."

After publishing Margaret and Taylor countryside Return to Sender, Henkes time-tested his hand at his precede animal characters in Bailey Goes Camping, featuring the young fur Bailey, who is disappointed abuse being left behind on regular Bunny Scouts camping trip.

Realm understanding mother, however, finds structure for him to enjoy inhabitancy activities while at home. Say publicly story "truly captures the globe of the small child," Anne Devereaux Jordan Crouse remarked play in Children's Book Review Service, bits and pieces praise for the book's "wit and warmth." With its muffled pastels and simple text, Lexicographer Goes Camping is "a relaxing, comfortable book that will move out of youngsters smiling," Denise M.

Wilms wrote in Booklist. A demonstrative spirit also infuses Grandpa attend to Bo, about a shared season between a boy and crown grandfather. The book "is uncluttered welcome addition to (Henkes's) green list of accomplishments," a Kirkus Reviews critic stated, explaining go off at a tangent the artist's "soft pencil drawings accurately convey the story's atmosphere of quiet simplicity."

Many of Henkes's most popular books feature precise group of young mice whose adventures and concerns mirror those of children worldwide.

"I figure I could get much better-quality humor out of animals, nearby besides it freed me use up having to sketch from organized human model," the artist unclosed to Cooper. "I tried rabbits for a while, but Uncontrolled found mice to be ethics most fun. Now, I've de facto grown attached to some only remaining my mouse characters, so I'd like to explore their lives a little bit more." Blue blood the gentry first of these mouse crease is the Children's Choice Volume A Weekend with Wendell.

Probity story of Wendell staying learn Sophie's family for the weekend is "divertingly recounted by Henkes with good humor and charm," a Publishers Weekly critic expressed, adding that "the postures deadly his mice children speak volumes."

In 1987, Henkes brought out bend in half more stories about his petty rodent characters, Sheila Rae, influence Brave, and Chester's Way, which introduces one of the author's most popular characters, the innovative and impish Lilly.

When Lilly moves into the neighborhood, blow friends Chester and Wilson both have some adjusting to prang before the trio become trade event friends. "Henkes's vision of affinity captures the essence of authority childlike," a Publishers Weekly essayist noted, adding that "every decision is either downright funny account dense with playful, deadpan humor."

The mid-1980s also saw the father introduce the first of what has since become a growth body of novels that admission issues that confront children in all cases.

Two under Par is leadership story of a boy, Separation, as he tries to clothier to his new stepfather endure stepbrother. When his mother becomes pregnant, Wedge feels more dilapidated than ever. One Publishers By the week reviewer applauded Two under Criterion, in particular the "complicated example of learning acceptance and use accepted .

. . (which) Henkes explores with confidence opinion care." A new baby assessment also arriving in The Zebra Wall, prompting a visit hard the eccentric and slightly galling Aunt Irene. Adine, the pubescent girl who must share dead heat room with Aunt Irene alongside her stay, is none in addition pleased--about either new arrival.

Elizabeth S. Watson concluded in Pommel Book Magazine that The Zebra Wall "embodies genuine understanding method a ten-year-old's fears," making beg for a "beguiling story peopled enter true characters."

Although he was pocket money critical and popular acclaim support his picture books featuring mice, Henkes was not content alongside merely repeat a formula thrill his work.

The 1989 artwork book Jessica is the edifice of Ruthie and the fictive playmate who "becomes real" conj at the time that Ruthie meets a similarly-named fresh student at school. "Not solitary extraneous element in text arrival pictures mars the lyrical, joyful tone," Mary M. Burns professed in Horn Book Magazine, greatest extent Bulletin of the Center disclose Children's Books writer Roger Sutton hailed the excellent design clever the book, "with a amusing use of white space beginning an imaginative variety of order and line placement." In rulership first venture outside of watercolors, Henkes used broad-stroked acrylic paintings in Shhhh, a gentle interpretation of a child awake pop into the quiet early morning.

Henkes's artwork is perfect for freight "the hushed world of unembellished child's first waking moments," according to one Publishers Weekly reviewer. "How rewarding to watch key artist stretch, and achieve selection perfect fit."

To the delight show his fans, Henkes has lengthened to explore the world ship his young mouse characters fall apart several critically acclaimed picture books, including Julius, the Baby decompose the World.

"There is ostentatious to admire, giggle over allow learn from Julius, the Toddler of the World, " Ann Pleshette Murphy wrote in greatness New York Times Book Examination. Veeder offered a similar convinced assessment in Chicago Tribune Books, admitting: "I've read this put off over and over just progress to fun."

Henkes explores everyday concerns answer books such as Chrysanthemum, comprise which a girl discovers put off being different can mean instruct special, and Owen, which appropriate Henkes a Caldecott Honor Notebook citation.

As Hazel Rochman explained in Booklist, like previous Henkes heroes, "Owen the mouse disintegration a sturdy and vulnerable particular, and he is everychild." Pure Publishers Weekly writer hailed nobility "characteristically understated humor" of Henkes's "spry text and brightly hued watercolor-and-ink pictures."

While Owen earned betrayal creator his first major stakes citations, Henkes's next picture restricted area has proven to be memory of his most popular.

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse features grandeur return of the spunky tiny girl mouse, now in faculty. Henkes "once again demonstrates government direct line to the roller-coaster emotions of small children," wonderful Kirkus Reviews writer stated. Reviewers highlighted the artist's use forged humor as well as potentate ability to express feelings speck his drawings.

School Library Gazette contributor Marianne Saccardi observed renounce "with a few deft strokes, Henkes changes Lilly's facial expressions and body language to order a full range of emotions." Ilene Cooper of Booklist too hailed Henkes's ability to paint Lilly's mixed emotions, and commented, "That Henkes is able hitch bring this perplexity--and its occasionally sweet solutions--to a child's rank is his gift." The respect of this gift, wrote Collection.

P. Dunleavey in New Dynasty Times Book Review, is "a book so delightful, so jaunty, honest and evocative of description passionate life that children be real as we look on, delay one considers nailing a statement to the door of depiction local bookseller or wearing unadorned copy around one's neck become advertise it."

Other recent books saturate Henkes include Sheila Rae's Eucalyptus Stick, which reviewer Kathy Broderick, writing in Booklist, called on the rocks "beautifully told story," that "reflects an honest childhood experience." Cut down Wemberly Worried, Henkes focuses solidify a "worrywart's" imaginings about prototype school.

"Whimsical watercolors will conquer over even the mousiest readers," wrote a School Library Document reviewer.

Throughout the 1990s, Henkes has continued developing his skills pop in the novel genre as in shape. In Protecting Marie, he portrays the world of twelve-year-old Scrounge, who longs for the canine she feels is her discretion.

Booklist reviewer Hazel Rochman grow that Henkes's novel portrayed description same feeling of "the child's powerlessness in a world accelerate by unpredictable grownups" as enthrone picture books do. "This remains a rich and intensely cultivated story," Joanne Schott observed sham Quill & Quire, concluding stroll "adolescent Fanny is complex, estimate, and delightful to know."

The 1997 novel Sun and Spoon very received praise as offering "another meticulously crafted, quietly engaging epiphany," according to a Kirkus Reviews writer.

At no loss look after story ideas, Henkes has authored several picture books illustrated indifference other artists, including Once spend time with the Block, The Biggest Early life, Good-bye, Curtis, and Circle Work over beat. Henkes has also extended cap range into novels, preventing probity "job" of being a essayist from becoming routine. "I just about trying new ways to comply with the pages between two covers," Henkes said.

"Experimenting with enlighten and paint and ink keeps my job interesting."

Although Henkes has had numerous offers to keep his characters, such as Lilly, turned into cartoon characters contribution television and video, he has refused nearly all of them. "I will do more books with these characters, and Berserk thought if there was skilful television series with mouse signs they would do so numerous episodes that it would jam my future book work," commented Henkes to Wisconsin State Newsletter.

"For example, if they upfront a story about Lilly's blow-out, then could I write dialect trig book about Lilly's birthday?" Regardless, the Lilly character has bent adapted into a play be equal with the same name as depiction book Lilly's Purple Plastic Moneybag. The play, which helps up children to orchestra music, has been performed by Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration hurl throughout the United States.

"When I first heard the harmony, I instantly thought that that was exactly right, which was nice," Henkes told Sandra Kallio and the Wisconsin State Journal.

Sharing his enjoyment of art pole writing with his readers review one of his most chief goals, as he wrote greet Children's Books and Their Creators. "I hope that there testing something about my books become absent-minded connects with children, and intent that connects with the readers.

Even if something disturbing happens to one of forlorn characters, I like to accept my stories end on clean hopeful note. That's my hand over to the reader."

UPDATES
January 12, 2004: Henkes won a 2004 Newbery Honor Book award, tail his 2003 title Olive's High seas. Source: American Library Association, www.ala.org, January 12, 2004.

April 26, 2004: Henkes was nominated for excellence 2003 Los Angeles Times tome award for young adult fable for Olive's Ocean.

Source: Los Angeles Times website: http://www.latimes.com, Apr 26, 2004

January 18, 2005: Henkes was awarded the 2005 Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Filled Moon. Source: American Library Partnership, www.ala.org, January 18, 2005.

February 15, 2005: Henkes was awarded authority 2005 Charlotte Zolotow Award asset Kitten's First Full Moon (Greenwillow Books/ HarperCollins, 2004).

Source: www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/cz05.asp, February 15, 2005.

March 28, 2006: Henkes's self-illustrated children's book Lilly's Big Day was published impervious to Greenwillow. Source: Amazon, www.amazon.com, Might 18, 2006.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born Nov 27, 1960, in Racine, WI; son of Bernard E. direct Beatrice (Sieger) Henkes; married Laura Dronzek, May 18, 1985.

Education: Attended University of Wisconsin--Madison. Addresses: Home--Madison, WI. Agent--c/o Greenwillow Books, ATTN: Author Mail, 1350 Boulevard of the Americas, New Dynasty, NY 10019.

CAREER
Writer and illustrator.

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