Books by Kevin Henkes

Book SynopsisA bad day can turn into a good one! It’s a bad day for a little yellow bird who loses his favorite tail feather, a little white dog whose leash gets tangled, a little orange fox who can’t find his mother, and a little brown squirrel who drops her nut.Trade Review"An almost perfect picture book ...It must be said: Kevin Henkes is a genius." -- New York Times Book Review "A masterpiece, an almost perfect picture book... It should be said: Kevin Henkes is a genius." -- New York Times Book Review "Deeply satisfying. ...Henkes's illustrations...speak volumes through simple details, managing to express pure joy in just the arched shape of an eye or the angle of an ear. ... A Good Day is the rare example of near-perfection in a picture book." -- Horn Book (starred review) "This begs to be read again and again." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review) "A deceptively simple picture book, expertly tuned to the emotions and imaginations of young children." -- Booklist (starred review) "A simple picture book, expertly tuned to the emotions and imaginations of children." -- Booklist (starred review) "A glorious celebration of the simple joys of childhood." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A fine choice for the lap set." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "There is real resonance in this tale, rooted mostly in the suggestion that bad days can turn into good days on a dime... This begs to be read again and again." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "The rare example of near-perfection in a picture book." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Sublimely simple." -- Washington Post Book World

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Billy Miller's second-grade year is quietly spectacular in a wonderfully ordinary way... Henkes offers ... a sense that experiences don't have to be extraordinary to be important and dramatic... Sweetly low-key and totally accessible." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Henkes's delightful story is restrained and vivid in in just this way: forgoing the overdramatic or zany, it shows the substance, warmth and adaptability of beautifully common family love." -- New York Times "A vivid yet secure portrait of a boy coming into his confidence ... [with] a comfortable rhythm perfectly suited to young readers... Nuanced and human." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Funny and often poignant ... Billy himself might have been daunted by a book with more than 200 pages, but eager young readers will find this a great first chapter book to share or read solo." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "A story with a lot of heart." -- Booklist "Smartly attuned to emerging readers, and its warmth, relatable situations, and sympathetic hero give it broad appeal." -- Publishers Weekly "Thoughtful kids able to tackle a book of this length will enjoy reading this on their own, but it would also make a fine choice for reading aloud in the classroom or home." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Henkes and Dronzek once again perfectly capture the quiet wonder of the natural world, as they did in Birds and Oh! …Dronzek’s vivacious acrylic illustrations, their bright colors emphasized by the thick black outlines, complement Henkes’s spare but lyrical prose. A must-have, joyful seasonal title for the youngest listeners.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Lyrical and elegant in its simplicity, this is an enchanting celebration of the season to pair with Oh!, the paean to winter created by this same husband-and-wife team.” — Booklist (starred review) “In a gently rhythmic text and lush, vibrant paintings, this husband-and-wife author-illustrator team ushers in spring, capturing the season’s sights, sounds, and surprises. …This joyful reflection is as welcome as spotting the first brave crocus.” — Horn Book (starred review) “Dronzek’s cozy paintings combine the simplified shapes of plants, creatures, and children…Henkes is honest about spring’s more trying moments, weaving themes of waiting and patience throughout…Readers, especially those who live in regions that experience the full range of changing seasons, will warm to this catalog of familiar joys.” — Publishers Weekly “A read-aloud dream, the meticulous text catalogs Spring’s awakenings and its characteristic weather. …Dronzek’s thick-lined, bright acrylics are as simultaneously wry and joyous as the text…Henkes and Dronzek make waiting almost as much fun—if not more so—than the payoff.” — Kirkus Reviews “No harm comes to the bunnies, birds and kittens in Laura Dronzek’s deliciously colorful paintings for ‘When Spring Comes,’ a gentle picture book written by Kevin Henkes. …From brown to green, from eggs to birds, from seeds to flowers, seasonal changes transpire sweetly in these pages.” — Wall Street Journal “Henkes creates a childlike and child-friendly cadence with the rhythms of his writing, and the robust, thickly outlined art carries plenty of kid appeal as well. …Expect this to see heavy use in classrooms and library story hours.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Book SynopsisFrom Caldecott Medalist and Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes and acclaimed painter Laura Dronzek, the bestselling and award-winning creators of seasonal favorites When Spring Comes and In the Middle of Fall.Snow falls, animals burrow, and children prepare for the wonders winter brings.Trade Review“This accomplished picture book details the season of winter. Author Henkes’ text is simple but evocative, observing winter in perceptive and sometimes-playful detail. Illustrator Dronzek’s acrylic illustrations...enrich and deepen the text as they add story details and warmth. ...A polished, playful story in which words and pictures dance in perfect harmony.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Gorgeous...An appealing series of pictures shows the boy donning boots and zippers, vests and zippers, and jackets and zippers, wryly underscored by humorous text. ...The gentle repetitions continue as winter stays, and stays and stays, until it finally shrinks away and slips around the corner into a gorgeous, green spring. ...The large format, language, and pictures merge in a just-right read-aloud for fans of winter’s charms.” — ALA Booklist (starred review) “Another must-have seasonal picture book created through the amazing collaboration of Henkes and Dronzek. . . .The descriptive word choice is able to set the scene perfectly with so few words, and the soft illustrations match and enrich the text seamlessly. . . .Bundle up for this wonderful wintry tale of all the highs and lows that the season has to offer.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Henkes and Dronzek present a lyrical ode to winter and its many moods. The text, marked by a gentle rhythm, uses descriptive language to bring the season to vivid life...Expressive, full-bleed spreads steal the show.” — The Horn Book “A cinematically enticing take on winter, and the atmospheric lyricism is seasonally suitable. ...A cozy evocation both of the real and imagined experience of days measured by the white stuff.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Acrylic paintings that spill off the pages set the scene through this book, an exploration of the long winter’s season’s juxtapositions. . .Winter’s journey, difficult and serene as it may be, ends with the full-page color spread that is spring. The simple, lyrical text and rich, soft illustrations work together to provide the perfect, snuggle-under-the-covers storytime experience.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch “Have a warm cup of cocoa, snuggle up with a youngster and share Winter Is Here, a charmer by best-selling, award-winning Kevin Henkes. . . his poetic words [are] accompanied by soft artwork by Laura Dronzek. . . .The season’s never looked or sounded better.” — The Missourian

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This accomplished picture book details the season of winter. Author Henkes’ text is simple but evocative, observing winter in perceptive and sometimes-playful detail. Illustrator Dronzek’s acrylic illustrations...enrich and deepen the text as they add story details and warmth. ...A polished, playful story in which words and pictures dance in perfect harmony.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Gorgeous...An appealing series of pictures shows the boy donning boots and zippers, vests and zippers, and jackets and zippers, wryly underscored by humorous text. ...The gentle repetitions continue as winter stays, and stays and stays, until it finally shrinks away and slips around the corner into a gorgeous, green spring. ...The large format, language, and pictures merge in a just-right read-aloud for fans of winter’s charms.” — ALA Booklist (starred review) “Another must-have seasonal picture book created through the amazing collaboration of Henkes and Dronzek. . . .The descriptive word choice is able to set the scene perfectly with so few words, and the soft illustrations match and enrich the text seamlessly. . . .Bundle up for this wonderful wintry tale of all the highs and lows that the season has to offer.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Henkes and Dronzek present a lyrical ode to winter and its many moods. The text, marked by a gentle rhythm, uses descriptive language to bring the season to vivid life...Expressive, full-bleed spreads steal the show.” — The Horn Book “A cinematically enticing take on winter, and the atmospheric lyricism is seasonally suitable. ...A cozy evocation both of the real and imagined experience of days measured by the white stuff.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Acrylic paintings that spill off the pages set the scene through this book, an exploration of the long winter’s season’s juxtapositions. . .Winter’s journey, difficult and serene as it may be, ends with the full-page color spread that is spring. The simple, lyrical text and rich, soft illustrations work together to provide the perfect, snuggle-under-the-covers storytime experience.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch “Have a warm cup of cocoa, snuggle up with a youngster and share Winter Is Here, a charmer by best-selling, award-winning Kevin Henkes. . . his poetic words [are] accompanied by soft artwork by Laura Dronzek. . . .The season’s never looked or sounded better.” — The Missourian

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Book SynopsisSometimes life can change in an instantMartha Boyle and Olive Barstow could have been friends, but they weren't. Now, even while on vacation at the ocean, Martha can't stop thinking about Olive. Things only get more complicated when Martha begins to like Jimmy Manning, a neighbor boy she used to despise.Trade Review"The ever versatile Kevin Henkes dazzles with this spare yet profoundly touching coming-of-age novel." -- Family Fun Magazine "An eloquent journey into adolescence." -- Florida Times-Union "Few girls will fail to recognize themselves in Martha." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Martha Boyle is one of the memorable 12-year-old girls of fiction, smart, confused, compassionate." -- KLIATT (starred review) "With his usual sensitivity and insight, Henkes explores key issues of adolescence." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Lyrically written." -- Seattle Times "Rich characterizations move this compelling novel to its satisfying and emotionally authentic conclusion." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "Henkes's story is subtle and satisfyingly untidy. Grabs you right from the start." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) "With beautifully defined characters, events, and emotions that will tug at your heart, this novel is flawless." -- Daily Item

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Book SynopsisMeet Penny, the sweet and curious mouse, in Caldecott Medalist and bestselling author Kevin Henkes’s instant classic story for young readers, perfect for fans Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Chrysanthemum.When Penny comes home from school, she is ready to sing her song.Trade Review"A quiet gem." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "Imagination grows and spreads from the fertile pages of this book to the minds of young readers...A must for every library." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "This intimate exploration of a child's burgeoning imagination hits every note right...Just plain perfect." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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Book SynopsisIn the third easy-to-read book about Penny the mouse, written by Caldecott Medalist and bestselling author Kevin Henkes, Penny finds a beautiful marble on her neighbor's lawn and must decide whether or not to keep it.Trade Review"Perfect for beginning readers. A treasure." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "Henkes continues to plumb the emotional world of childhood as few author/illustrators can... Another gem." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Impeccable... Respect for the beginning reader's emerging skills beautifully matches Henkes's respect for Penny ." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Splendid ... Henkes so completely understands the minds of small children... His vivacious panels always seem to burst with springtime. It's hard to imagine anything ever going too wrong in one of his sensitive, generous portrayals. Everything here ends just right." -- New York Times Book Review "Henkes ups the emotional stakes in his third book starring Penny." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Henkes conveys shades of emotions that are common to human experience, yet hard to express in words. It's particularly impressive that he can do so in a book for beginning readers... This small-scale, yet immensely satisfying drama is a fine addition to the Penny series." -- Booklist (starred review) Praise for Penny and Her Song: "Henkes strikes all the right notes... Language, art, characterization, and plot are all executed, like Penny's song, beautifully." -- Horn Book (starred review) "The text ... is perfect for new readers, and Henkes's familiar artwork has its share of warm moments. This early reader captures the way families make memories at unexpected moments. Welcome Penny to the cast." -- Booklist (starred review) "Much as he did in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Henkes presents an irrepressible heroine who struggles to compromise." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Carefully sequenced panels, expressive lines and gentle pastels lead the reader to the story's joyous resolution." -- Washington Post

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Deeply felt. . .moving and satisfying, and the book ends with a feeling of revelation and rebirth. . .and an utterly perfect final sentence.” — New York Times Book Review “A shimmering novel that touches on human frailty, the consolations of art, and the mysteries of growing up.” — Wall Street Journal “Captured on the threshold of puberty’s tumultuous changes, Amelia and Casey quiver with hope and longing. Like a Chinese brush painting made of words, this short novel distills the slow-building impatience of early adolescence down to its essence—not much happens, yet everything does. . . . Spare, luminous, lovely.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Henkes’s profound understanding of the adolescent heart and mind is evident . . . In economic prose, Henkes evokes the complexity of his characters’ emotions and relationships, and offers a feel-good resolution.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “In that confusing space between childhood and adulthood, Amelia finds comfort in talking to her beloved stuffed lamb even as she experiences her first crush and wonders ‘what kind of woman she would be when she grew up.’ The week’s cheerlessness morphs into something complex and important.” — Horn Book (starred review) “A stunning realistic fiction novel, Amelia’s story is woven tightly with themes of friendship, grief, and love. In his signature classic style, Henkes perfectly captures the hope paramount to the youthful heart, while honoring difficult themes. . . [A] smooth, compact, emotionally nuanced novel with relatable characters.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Amelia is a winning character: a dreamy, old soul who perfectly displays the naivety and the wisdom of growing up. Humor and lyrical language buoy the . . . narrative. Henkes’s latest story is, like most life changes, quiet yet momentous.” — ALA Booklist “Henkes writes in still pools with occasional ripples, a clarity of approach that gives his writing immediacy along with precision. . .Readers will sympathize with [Amelia] as she negotiates some complicated human dynamics and comes out with more understanding.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Henkes is the master of quiet yet potent observation, and this slender novel sensitively maps the heart of a girl on the cusp of ‘whatever was still to come.’” — Cleveland Plain Dealer

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Book SynopsisLilly, Chrysanthemum, Owen, Wemberly, Sheila Rae, Julius, Chester, and Wendell—all the beloved characters and stories in one lavish volume featuring brand-new jacket artwork, fun family reading tips, story activities to do at home, and an afterword by #1 New York Times–bestselling author Kevin Henkes.

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Book Synopsis“I like croquet and peanut butter and making my bed.”There is only one way for Chester to do things—his own way. “You definitely have a mind of your own,” said Chester’s mother. “That’s one way to put it,” said Chester’s father.Luckily Chester’s best friend, Wilson, likes doing things just the same way as Chester. When they cut their sandwiches, it''s always diagonally. When they ride their bikes, they always use hand signals. If Chester is hungry, Wilson is too. They''re two of a kind—until indomitable Lilly, who has her own way of doing things, moves into the neighborhood. Because Lilly has her own way of doing things!Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly''s Purple Plastic Purse, Kitten''s First Full Moon, and Chrysanthemum, Chester''s

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Book SynopsisChrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round. Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly''s Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten''s First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a don''t-miss classic, especially for back to school.Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. You''re named after a flower! teases Victoria. Let''s smell her, says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?This popular picture book has sold more than a million copies and was named a Notable Book for Children by the American Library Association. Perfectly executed in words and illustration, Chrysanthemum exemplifies Henkes''s talent for creating true picture stories fo

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Book SynopsisWemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between. Then it was time for school to start. And Wemberly worried even more. If you ever worry (or know someone who does), this is the book for you.Wemberly worried about spilling her juice, about shrinking in the bathtub, even about snakes in the radiator. She worried morning, noon, and night. Worry, worry, worry, her family said. Too much worry.And Wemberly worried about one thing most of all: her first day of school. But when it''s time to go back to school and she meets a fellow worrywart in her class, Wemberly realizes that school is too much fun to waste time worrying!This warm and comforting back-to-school favorite is from Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly''s Purple Plastic Purse, Kitten''s First Full Moon, and Chrysanthemum.“This winning hero

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Henkes once again puts his finger on the pulse of young children, combining good storytelling, careful characterization, and wonderfully expressive artwork to create an entertaining and reassuring picture book." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "Wemberly shows that being human is cause for celebration, even if you're a mouse." -- New York Times Book Review "This winning heroine speaks to the worrywart in everyone." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Book SynopsisOne bright spring day a little white rabbit sets out from home on an adventure. What does he find? Look! Everything is new.Anything is possible. . . .Trade Review"Bold lines, expressive movement, and the springtime palette of pink, blue, and lush woodsy greens will delight the child's eye." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Sweet and soft, this picture book heralds a sunny spring." -- Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisCome explore the four seasons with Old BearTrade Review"Classically and timelessly simple...another winner for very young children." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Old Bear will enrapture young listeners for years to come." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "Kindergartens and preschool classes studying the seasons will no doubt embrace this book." -- New York Times Book Review "Elemental words and graceful pacing make this a perfect read-aloud for preschoolers." -- Booklist (starred review)

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Bold lines, expressive movement, and the springtime palette of pink, blue, and lush woodsy greens will delight the child's eye." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Sweet and soft, this picture book heralds a sunny spring." -- Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisSheila Rae, the Brave is a warm, humorous, and loving story of sibling sympathy and support. Just because Sheila Rae is older, she doesn''t always know better!This classic picture book about overcoming fear is written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly''s Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten''s First Full Moon.I am very brave, Sheila Rae said, patting herself on the back. She wasn''t afraid of anything—not thunder, not lightning, not the big black dog at the end of the block. And when she wanted to walk home a new way and Louise wouldn''t, she called her sister a scaredy-cat and set out alone. But all the bravado in the world failed to help when Sheila Rae found herself lost. Luckily, her sister was not far behind. Children will love it.—School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Henkes knows that Alice, like many girls her age, carries plenty of things in her mind-and her heart-that she seldom speaks of. She mulls them over privately, and in Henkes's hands, eloquently." -- New York Times "Very few writers have such a keen understanding of the emotional lives of children; here Henkes is at the top of his game." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "In this introspective story about a child's search for a rare shell, Henkes again displays his ability to find profound meaning in ordinary events... Readers will empathize with Alice's frustrations and relish her moments of joy." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "With tender observations and sensory details, Henkes creates a memorable young individual whose arcadian growing up is authentic and pitch-perfect." -- Booklist (starred review) "Alice balances between familiarity and novelty, coziness and independence, self-centeredness and altruism-the balance beam of turning ten... A fully realized, respectful portrait of a childhood milestone." -- The Horn Book

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Book SynopsisThis is the paperback edition of the acclaimed #1 New York Times bestseller by Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes.What is the single most thrilling thing that could happen to Lilly in her whole entire life? Her favorite teacher, Mr. Slinger, is getting married, and Lilly is going to be his flower girl!Trade Review"Lilly is one of the great female characters in literature-like Anna Karenina with whiskers or Scarlett O'Hara with paws." -- USA Today "Caldecott Award winner Kevin Henkes once again demonstrates perfect pitch for the emotional lives of the very young. Lilly, of course, understands the true truth: the flower girl is more important than the bride." -- Chicago Tribune

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Waiting further cements Henkes's place alongside picture book legends like Margaret Wise Brown, Crockett Johnson, and Ruth Krauss, through his lyrical text, uncluttered yet wondrously expressive illustrations, and utmost respect for the emotional life of young children." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "The story is all about quietly filling in the gaps...the protagonists' contentment with just waiting is contagious. Waiting as a joyful activity in itself is almost never celebrated; this Zen-like meditation might win some converts." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Henkes provides no deep meanings and sends no messages; he's just showing what waiting can be like. Perhaps listeners will find a model for making long waits seem less tiresome: be still and notice the world around you." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Enigmatic, lovely ... intriguing and inimitable." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Quiet yet evocative, this is a lovely melding of artwork, design, and text... Little ones, to whom each experience is new, will know what it's like to dream and wait." -- Booklist (starred review) "Kevin Henkes, who both illustrates and writes with a gentle and elegant style, creates an appealing cast of toys to get at the concept of waiting-a tough one to convey to a child. ...Calming in a way that emphasizes the theme of patience." -- New York Times Book Review, Editor's Choice "In his illustrations, Mr. Henkes uses soft nursery shades of pink, greenish-blue and chocolate brown on a creamy background to convey a feeling of such safety and contentment as to beguile even the most irritable adult tooth-gnasher." -- Wall Street Journal "With economy, humor and warmth, Waiting quietly bridges reality and imagination, indoors and out, constancy and change, now and what comes next." -- San Francisco Chronicle "Kevin Henkes is the stealthiest master of kids' lit around." -- Boston Globe "Waiting is a microcosm: five sentient toys on a windowsill. The picture book is visual elegant and nostalgic...The design, illustrations, and text of Waiting are exquisitely choreographed, each decision made with great care. ...They are waiting, just waiting. And something's bound to happen." -- Shelf Awareness "Henkes...understands the frustration young children feel in having to be patient. The gentle pacing of the story and generously spacious, light-filled illustrations convey a sense of calm anticipation. There's plenty of room here for a parent and child to talk about the wonders that the window offers." -- Washington Post "The soft tones and clean compositions of the attractive pictures...complement the simple text...Use this to bring a little peace and tranquility to a busy day or to an active storytime audience." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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Book SynopsisFrom Caldecott Medalist and Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes and acclaimed painter Laura Dronzek, the bestselling and award-winning creators of seasonal favorites When Spring Comes and In the Middle of Fall.Snow falls, animals burrow, and children prepare for the wonders winter brings.Trade Review“This accomplished picture book details the season of winter. Author Henkes’ text is simple but evocative, observing winter in perceptive and sometimes-playful detail. Illustrator Dronzek’s acrylic illustrations...enrich and deepen the text as they add story details and warmth. ...A polished, playful story in which words and pictures dance in perfect harmony.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Gorgeous...An appealing series of pictures shows the boy donning boots and zippers, vests and zippers, and jackets and zippers, wryly underscored by humorous text. ...The gentle repetitions continue as winter stays, and stays and stays, until it finally shrinks away and slips around the corner into a gorgeous, green spring. ...The large format, language, and pictures merge in a just-right read-aloud for fans of winter’s charms.” — ALA Booklist (starred review) “Another must-have seasonal picture book created through the amazing collaboration of Henkes and Dronzek. . . .The descriptive word choice is able to set the scene perfectly with so few words, and the soft illustrations match and enrich the text seamlessly. . . .Bundle up for this wonderful wintry tale of all the highs and lows that the season has to offer.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Henkes and Dronzek present a lyrical ode to winter and its many moods. The text, marked by a gentle rhythm, uses descriptive language to bring the season to vivid life...Expressive, full-bleed spreads steal the show.” — The Horn Book “A cinematically enticing take on winter, and the atmospheric lyricism is seasonally suitable. ...A cozy evocation both of the real and imagined experience of days measured by the white stuff.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Acrylic paintings that spill off the pages set the scene through this book, an exploration of the long winter’s season’s juxtapositions. . .Winter’s journey, difficult and serene as it may be, ends with the full-page color spread that is spring. The simple, lyrical text and rich, soft illustrations work together to provide the perfect, snuggle-under-the-covers storytime experience.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch “Have a warm cup of cocoa, snuggle up with a youngster and share Winter Is Here, a charmer by best-selling, award-winning Kevin Henkes. . . his poetic words [are] accompanied by soft artwork by Laura Dronzek. . . .The season’s never looked or sounded better.” — The Missourian

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Henkes and Dronzek evoke the sights, sounds, and joys of summer, completing their celebratory seasonal quartet . . . [Summer Song] captures the magic of childhood summers, when colors are a song and a backyard can sing the wonders of the world.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “[A] conclusion to the seasonal quartet from the award-winning duo celebrates summer at last, reveling in its endless delights of green songs. . . . A luscious finale.” — Booklist (starred review) “The creators of Winter Is Here, When Spring Comes, and In The Middle of Fall, are back with the final installment of the seasons series. A lyrical text pairs perfectly with bright illustrations in this wonderful read-aloud. . . . For storytime or sharing one on one.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Henkes celebrates the glories of summer . . . [Summer Song is] a sensory feast.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) “Henkes and Dronzek complete their seasonal quartet with an homage to summer. Henkes explores the pleasures of the senses . . . Encourage[s] readers to look and listen for layered wonder in summer’s freedom.” — Publishers Weekly “Henkes and Dronzek complete their seasonal quartet with a joyful ode celebrating summer . . . Melodic and evocative, this book captures the essence of summer and its unique seasonal song.” — Horn Book Magazine “Henkes and Dronzek make the sounds of summer—the lawn mowers, the sprinklers, the birds and the crickets—so vibrant we almost hear colors. Summer has never hummed so brightly. . . . Follow four diverse friends as they lie in meadows, chase fireflies, walk their dogs and look for frogs.” — New York Times Book Review

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Book Synopsis“A gentle story of patience.”—Horn Book (starred review)Caldecott Medal–winner Kevin Henkes’s award-winning and bestselling mouse, Penny, stars in an irresistible story about anticipation, disappointment, and a brand-new sled.Trade Review“Through the earnest and oh-so-lovable Penny, Henkes speaks to children’s natural sensibilities and feelings . . . A gentle story of patience . . . at its conclusion readers will be met with unexpected beauty.” — Horn Book (starred review) “Henkes has created yet another charming tale that's acutely in touch with a child's thinking and emotions . . . Another delightful addition to the Penny series.” — Kirkus Reviews “Five chapters with short sentences, word repetition, and sweet illustrations on every page will have new readers enthusiastic about . . . the life of the little mouse and her family.” — School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisA celebration of simple, pure joy* from Caldecott medalist Kevin Henkes. New York Times bestseller!Old Bear lumbers to his cave to hibernate till spring. In his dreams, he is a cub again, exploring the seasons—summer, fall, winter, and spring.When he finally awakes, Old Bear is so happy to find the outside world waiting for him, just as beautiful as in his dreams.“As in so many of Henkes’s books, nothing is superfluous. Every word, line, color choice, and composition feels essential and fits beautifully into a common theme.” (Booklist* starred review)“Henkes has created a thoroughly delightful character filled with curiosity and sweetness and placed him in a simple tale that unfolds with a natural, rhythmical pace. Old Bear will enrapture young listeners for years to come.” (School Library Journal starred review)“Lyrically describing the yo

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Book SynopsisPenny loves her new doll. The doll is absolutely perfect, from her head to her toes. But Penny's doll needs a name. What should Penny call her?Trade Review"Henkes continues to give children reasons to want to read, long after the satisfaction of learning how to has passed." -- Horn Book (starred review) "A doll of a beginning reader." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "The dynamics are spot-on." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "As supremely satisfying as a Henkes picture book, this beginning reader belongs in collections everywhere." -- School Library Journal (starred review) Praise for Little White Rabbit: "Kevin Henkes has a rare ability to see through the eyes of children of all ages." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Enormously appealing." -- School Library Journal (starred review)

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Book Synopsis“Fuzzy goes where I go.”Owen’s fuzzy yellow blanket is his favorite possession. Everywhere Owen goes, his blanket goes with him. Upstairs, downstairs, in-between. Inside, outside, upside down. Everywhere! Owen’s parents are in despair—soon Owen will begin school, and he can’t take Fuzzy with him then. Whatever can be done?This Caldecott Honor Book will provide reassurance and laughs whether shared at home or during circle time. Every child uses some sort of security object, whether it’s a toy, a thumb, or a binky. For those not yet ready to let go and for those who have moved on, here’s a story about making compromises that speaks to us all.Everyone who’s ever had a favorite blanket will know exactly how Owen feels! 

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Book SynopsisThe girl in this book grows chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells in her garden.How does your garden grow? Trade Review"With its adroit look at a child's colorful imagination, My Garden is as fresh and inviting as spring after winter." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Henkes gives the young storyteller a matter-of-fact voice and a sly sense of humor, while dewy watercolors and ink picture her reveling in a magical world of plants, birds, and butterflies." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Imagination grows and spreads from the fertile pages of this book to the minds of young readers...A must for every library." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "This intimate exploration of a child's burgeoning imagination hits every note right...Just plain perfect." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Full-page spreads [depict] surprise, wonder, and newfound companionship. ...Another stunner from Henkes, who is able to evoke so much with few words and such seemingly simple illustrations. Gorgeous and thought-provoking.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Thickly outlined in brown, Henkes’s animals exude sweetness and innocence; and a quietly surreal ending, which sees the setting sun morph into an egg and then an orange bird, subtly emphasizes the anything-is-possible potential of storytelling. ...Terrific encouragement for readers to embark on their own narrative experiments.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Fans...will delight in his use of line, simple forms, and a gentle palette, all of which clearly portray feelings, depict action, and suggest character. The concise text and straightforward illustrations, however, belie a more complicated tale. ...This is a book that readers will want to pore over.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Picture-book master Henkes...taps into the deepest emotions of preschoolers with the simplest of stories. …Pacing is, as ever, perfect, taking full advantage of the switch from the early, snappy paneled pages to a series of wordless spreads that tell the story of the budding four-way friendship.” — Horn Book (starred review) “With characteristic understatement, Henkes explores tenderness, acceptance, friendship, and love in this deceptively simple story. ...Henkes’s illustrations provide depth and a meaningful sense of the passage of time. ..The open-ended conclusion invites readers to continue the story themselves.” — Booklist “Four eggs wait to hatch, but their destinies differ. ...executed with gentle mirth and invitingly minimal text. ...[youngsters will] appreciate it as a tale of adorable little birds finding an unexpected sibling.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Kevin Henkes reprises the delicious milk-chocolate and sugared-pastel color sceme of 2015’s Waiting in Egg. Part preschool comedy routine, part word primer…children will learn the words ‘alone,’ ‘said’ and ‘lonely’ before the tale takes a conciliatory turn with the making of ‘friends.’” — Wall Street Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"The words and pictures create a book that will enchant preschool audiences again and again." -- Booklist (starred review) "Words and pictures perform a perfectly choreographed dance here." -- Horn Book (starred review) "The child voice in this charming story is just right and will resonate with the very youngest children." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "Birds trust[s] the intelligence and imagination of young children, and that's what makes this a perfect book." -- New York Times Book Review

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Deeply felt. . .moving and satisfying, and the book ends with a feeling of revelation and rebirth. . .and an utterly perfect final sentence.” — New York Times Book Review “A shimmering novel that touches on human frailty, the consolations of art, and the mysteries of growing up.” — Wall Street Journal “Captured on the threshold of puberty’s tumultuous changes, Amelia and Casey quiver with hope and longing. Like a Chinese brush painting made of words, this short novel distills the slow-building impatience of early adolescence down to its essence—not much happens, yet everything does. . . . Spare, luminous, lovely.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Henkes’s profound understanding of the adolescent heart and mind is evident . . . In economic prose, Henkes evokes the complexity of his characters’ emotions and relationships, and offers a feel-good resolution.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “In that confusing space between childhood and adulthood, Amelia finds comfort in talking to her beloved stuffed lamb even as she experiences her first crush and wonders ‘what kind of woman she would be when she grew up.’ The week’s cheerlessness morphs into something complex and important.” — Horn Book (starred review) “A stunning realistic fiction novel, Amelia’s story is woven tightly with themes of friendship, grief, and love. In his signature classic style, Henkes perfectly captures the hope paramount to the youthful heart, while honoring difficult themes. . . [A] smooth, compact, emotionally nuanced novel with relatable characters.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Amelia is a winning character: a dreamy, old soul who perfectly displays the naivety and the wisdom of growing up. Humor and lyrical language buoy the . . . narrative. Henkes’s latest story is, like most life changes, quiet yet momentous.” — ALA Booklist “Henkes writes in still pools with occasional ripples, a clarity of approach that gives his writing immediacy along with precision. . .Readers will sympathize with [Amelia] as she negotiates some complicated human dynamics and comes out with more understanding.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Henkes is the master of quiet yet potent observation, and this slender novel sensitively maps the heart of a girl on the cusp of ‘whatever was still to come.’” — Cleveland Plain Dealer

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Book SynopsisAnd everything in between—including you!A timeless and wholesome picture book from Caldecott Medal winner and #1 New York Times bestseller Kevin Henkes, The World and Everything in It explores concepts such as curiosity, self-awareness, belonging, and size.Trade Review“It can feel nearly impossible for children to imagine the scale of everything outside themselves, but Henkes invites them to meditate on just that, and everything in the world, in this poetic new book. . . . The illustrations are both colorful and muted, capturing attention while complementing the words. . . . A first purchase for every library, this book invites readers to consider the world around them in a new way.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Serene reflectiveness flows through this meditation by Henkes, whose simple prose initially segments the universe into two camps: ‘big things and little things.’ . . . Spare images and text, and an almost reverent stream of thought, helps illuminate humans’ comparative scale in the wide, variously populated world.” — Publishers Weekly “Young children may feel like the world is full of things that are bigger and more important than they are. With an unerring understanding of the child’s perspective, Henkes presents simple comparisons, demonstrating how all the people and parts of the world are significant to the whole. . . . Soothing and accepting, the book reassuringly demonstrates that the world is big enough for everyone and everything.” — Booklist “Young children are always figuring out their place in the universe. . . . This book will work on several levels. At its simplest, it’s a consideration of big and little that will be enhanced by the pictures. On another level, connections between Earth and space, between sea and land, or between animals and humans may become the focus. . . . A contemplative picture book to help young readers understand the reality of their world.” — Kirkus Reviews “Henkes meditates on the world and our place in it. . . . Henkes’s strength is in the poetry of the everyday and finding the profound in ordinary moments, and that strength is on full display in a book that is simultaneously soothing and mind-blowing. . . . Shelve this somewhere between concept and philosophy—and get it into kids’ hands.” — Horn Book Magazine

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Book SynopsisOn the first day of kindergarten, can Ruthie find a new friend?Jessica has a friend only she can see: Jessica. There is no Jessica, said Ruthie''s parents. But of course there was.She ate with Ruthie, played with Ruthie, and was sorry when Ruthie was bad. When it came time for Ruthie to go to school, Jessica went with her. Her parents hoped Ruthie would find a friend at school who would replace Jessica. They were in for a (happy) surprise!Ruthie''s empowering is one that is one that every small child can understand and celebrate. (The Horn Book starred review)Totally satisfying. (School Library Journal starred review)

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Book Synopsis“I am the queen!”Lilly loves all sorts of things. She loves school, she loves dressing up, she even grows to love her stinky baby brother, Julius. In fact, Lilly loves everything! But when Lilly brings her purple plastic purse to school and can''t wait until sharing time to show off the purse and her movie star sunglasses, her teacher, Mr. Slinger, has to take away her prized possessions.Lilly''s fury leads her to draw a mean picture of her favorite teacher. It isn’t until Mr. Slinger gives her belongings back to her with a kind note and snacks that Lilly realizes she owes Mr. Slinger an apology.Lilly, the star of Chester''s Way and Julius, the Baby of the World, is back. And this time she has her name in the title—something she''s wanted all along. If you thought Lilly was funny before, you are in for a treat. So hurry up and start reading. Lilly can''t wait for you to find out mo

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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