Kevin Henkes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kevin Henkes
Henkes at the Mazza Museum, 2011
Born	(1960-11-27) November 27, 1960 (age 64) Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
Occupation	Illustrator, writer
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Madison
Period	1981–present
Genre	Children's picture books
Notable works	Sheila Rae, the Brave Chrysanthemum Circle Dogs Olive's Ocean Kitten's First Full Moon Waiting
Notable awards	Caldecott Medal 2005 Children's Literature Legacy Award 2020
Spouse	Laura Dronzek ​ (m. 1985)​
Children	2

Kevin Henkes (born November 27, 1960) is an American author and artist. He writes and illustrates books for children. He won the important Caldecott Medal in 2005 for his picture book Kitten's First Full Moon. This award is given to the artist of the most outstanding American picture book for children.

Two of his books, Olive's Ocean (2004) and The Year of Billy Miller (2014), were named Newbery Medal Honor Books. The Newbery Medal is for the most outstanding American book for children. His picture book Waiting also received two honors in 2016: a Caldecott Honor and a Geisel Honor. In 2020, Kevin Henkes received the Children's Literature Legacy Award. This award celebrates an author's entire body of work for children.

Becoming a Children's Author

Kevin Henkes (say it: HANK-us) always loved art. He thought he would be an artist. But in high school, a teacher encouraged him to write. He soon realized that children's books were perfect for him. They let him combine his love for both writing and drawing!

Henkes writes and illustrates many picture books for young children. Many of his characters are cute mice. He also writes longer stories for middle schoolers.

His First Books and Famous Characters

Kevin Henkes wrote his first book, All Alone, when he was just starting college. It was published in 1981. This book was about how nice it can be to have some quiet time by yourself. This idea of being alone and thinking is something you'll find in many of his later books too.

Henkes grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, with four brothers and sisters. He says that his family and his childhood neighborhood often inspire his stories. He has written and illustrated about 50 books so far! Some of his most famous books include Chrysanthemum and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse.

In 1994, his mouse book Owen was a runner-up for the Caldecott Medal. Then, in 2004, Olive's Ocean was a runner-up for the Newbery Medal. The very next year, in 2005, he won the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon. This was a huge honor! All of his books have been published by Greenwillow Books.

Working with His Wife

Kevin Henkes and his wife, Laura Dronzek, also work together. Laura is an artist too. They create picture books about the four seasons. Kevin writes the story, and Laura paints the beautiful pictures. One of their books is called Winter is Here.

Life in Wisconsin

Kevin Henkes was born on November 27, 1960, in Racine, Wisconsin. He went to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Today, he lives in Madison with his wife, Laura Dronzek. They have two children.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Kevin Henkes has won many awards for his amazing books and his work as an author.

In 2007, he gave the Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. This is a special talk given by someone important in children's literature. In 2009, he won the Jeremiah Ludington Award. This award honors people who have helped make paperback books popular.

In 2020, he received the Children's Literature Legacy Award. This award celebrates an author or illustrator whose books have made a "significant and lasting contribution to literature for children." It's a big honor for his whole career!

Many of his books have been recognized as bestsellers or top picks:

• In 1987, the Library of Congress named Once Around the Block one of the Best Books of the Year.
• In 2017, Kitten's First Full Moon was added to the Picture Book Hall of Fame by the American Booksellers Association.
• The Year of Billy Miller and Waiting were both New York Times bestselling books.
• Many of his books have been included on The Horn Book Magazine's lists of the best children's books of the year.

Awards for Specific Books

Kevin Henkes's books have won many awards over the years. Here are some of them: