Kevin Henkes picture books

Owen

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Picture book for early elementary (K-2)

5 stars

Owen is the story of a little mouse, the blanket the he loves and refuses to be separated from, and his parents’ attempts to get him to leave his blanket behind.

This book was a quick, fun read.  The dialogue was believable and authentic.  The characters felt familiar and realistic and the pictures were beautiful.  Owen is an  imaginative and spunky book.

I would probably read this book on the first day of school in a Kindergarden, first, or second grade classroom.  I think that many kids could relate to Owen’s predicament of loving a blanket or toy that they have or soon will outgrow.   They will also identify with Owen’s problem of not being able to bring his blanket to school with him.  This book could help some kids feel better about leaving their special items behind on their first day of school.

A Good Day

Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Picture book for K-4

3 Stars

A Good Day tells the story of how a bad day for four creatures turns into a good day for each of them.

This story reminded me of the story, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst for the obvious reason that it talks about having a bad day.  In my opinion, Viorst’s book is a much better story.  A Good Day is an example of a book written primarily to teach a lesson.  There is very little else to the book other than the message that a bad day can turn into a good day.  The best part of this book is the beautiful pictures. 

This book could be used to teach kids about persevering and staying positive when they are having a bad day.  I think that I would also show the pictures to kids as examples of relatively simple illustrations that add quite a lot to written text. 

Shelia Rae, the Brave

Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Picture Book for K-5

4 Stars

Shelia Rae, the Brave tells the story of a brave mouse who wanders too far from home and is rescued by her younger sister.

I thought this story, and especially the pictures for this book were hilarious.  Shelia Rae and her younger sister, Louise talk and act like real, little kids.  Shelia Rae learns that she’s not as fearless as she thought and that her sister isn’t “such a scaredy-cat”.  The details in Henkes’ pictures from Louise’s pointy little pig-tail sticking up behind a bush she is hiding from to the beautiful flowers in his backgrounds really make the story come alive.

This might be a good book to share with kids when they are with older or younger buddy classes.  This could be a good conversation starter as to how older and younger kids can all contribute in valuable ways.