Kevin Henkes

Author Information
Kevin Henkes's Latest Book

Newest Release

  • Bibliography:
    68 Books (2 Series)
  • First Book:
    February 1982
  • Latest Book:
    October 2024
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Full Series List in Order

Billy Miller

1 - The Year of Billy Miller (Sep-2013)
2 - Billy Miller Makes a Wish (Apr-2021)

Penny

Penny and Her Doll (Sep-2012)
Penny and Her Marble (Feb-2013)
Penny and Her Sled (Nov-2019)

Book List in Order: 68 titles

  • Clean Enough

    I must be getting bigger because the tub feels smaller every time, thinks the hero of this appealing book. He sits in his bath, playing, remembering, and wondering -- anything but washing. Kevin Henkes, a gifted young author-artist, catches a mood...

  • Margaret & Taylor

    This gentle chapter book from Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes will appeal to fans of the Frog and Toad and Ivy + Bean books.Join Margaret and her brother Taylor as they get ready for Grandpa's surprise birthday party.From the invitation to the pres...

  • Bailey Goes Camping

    Bruce and Betty were going camping. Bailey had to stay home. "You're too little," said his brother. "You can go in a few years," said his sister. But Bailey didn't want to wait. And, with the help of Mama and Papa, Bailey went camping right where ...

  • Grandpa & Bo

    Bo was spending the summer with Grandpa. they walked and fished and made thing together. They celebrated Christmas together -- a very special summer Christmas. But best of all, they talked and laughed and talked some more. And when they finally sa...

  • A Weekend with Wendell

    Wendell was spending the weekend at Sophie's house. Playing house, Wendell was the mother, the father, and the children; Sophie was the dog. Playing bakery, Wendell was the baker; Sophie got to be the sweet roll. Wendell shone his flashlight in Sophi...

  • Once Around the Block

  • Two Under Par

    No way is Wedge going to get used to having a stepfather! Once it was just Wedge and his mother, Sally. Now it's Wedge and Sally and King and his drippy son, Andrew. Having to share his mom is bad enough. Living on a miniature golf course is worse...

  • Sheila Rae, the Brave

    Sheila 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 Hen...

  • The Zebra Wall

    • / General Fiction
    • Buy Buy

    There's a new baby on the way and that's not all! Adine is the oldest of the five Vorlob sisters. After her there's Bernice, Carla, Dot, and Effie. Now their mother is going to have another baby. Of course it's going to be a girl, and of course he...



  • Return to Sender

    This gentle and funny middle grade book from Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes will appeal to fans of Frindle by Andrew Clements and Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary.When Whitaker writes a letter to Frogman, a TV superhero, his family laughs, but t...

  • Chester's Way

    “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’...

  • 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. Nobody could see Jessica -- except Ruthie. When it came time for Ruthie to go to school, Jessica wen...

  • Shhhh

    Someone just woke up. Quietly she moves around the house. Everyone else is still asleep. . . A perfect good morning for early risers who might enjoy a gentle picture book to cuddle around—or a sweet bedtime shhhh.A girl notes that the rest of t...

  • Julius, the Baby of the World

    "

    The riotously funny Lilly, last seen in Chester''s Way (Greenwillow), thinks her new baby brother, Julius, is disgusting -- if he was a number, he would be zero. But when Cousin Garland dares to criticize Julius, Lilly bullies her into loudly adm...

  • Chrysanthemum

    Chrysanthemum 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 P...

  • Words of Stone

    • / General Fiction
    • Buy Buy

    Until they met each other, Blaze and Joselle didn't know how difficult friendship could be.... Ten-year-old Blaze Werla spends the summer days alone, exploring the countryside around his home. Then one day a devastating message appears on the side...

  • Owen

    Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. "Fuzzy goes where I go," said Owen. But Mrs. Tweezers disagreed. She thought Owen was too old for a blanket. Owen disagreed. No matter what Mrs. Tweezers came up with, Blanket Fairies or vinegar, Owen had the answe...

  • Protecting Marie

    • / General Fiction
    • Buy Buy

    Fanny has wanted a dog all her life. For a brief moment her dream came true, but then her father decided the puppy brought too much chaos to his neat, ordered home. Fanny has never been able to forgive him for it. So when Fanny's father brings hom...

  • The Biggest Boy

    Billy is a big boy who can do all sorts of things by himself. And when his parents tell him he is growing bigger every day, he starts to imagine what it would be like to be the biggest boy in the world....



  • Good-Bye, Curtis

    Curtis has been delivering mail for forty-two years. Today is his last day. And all the mailboxes along his route are filled with surprises.

    There is a drawing from Debbie, Dennis, and Donny. There is a bottle of aftershave from the Johnsons...

  • Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

    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 readin...

  • Sun and Spoon

    A heartbreaking story about learning to cope with loss from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Olive's Ocean.When a person is gone, you need something to remember her by. It’s been only two months since Spoon Gilmore’s grandmother died, but alre...

  • Circle Dogs

    The circle dogs live in a big, square house with a big, square yard. See the dogs? See the circles? Mama calls them pooches. Papa calls them hounds. "I'm a dog!" says Big Sister. Baby is, too. And even the youngest reader will want to wiggle and boun...

  • The Birthday Room

    Not just an ordinary birthday..."Two of the things Benjamin Hunter received for his twelfth birthday took him completely by surprise: A room and a letter. The room was from his parents. The letter was from his uncle."Ben was just two years old when h...

  • Oh!

    The snow falls all night. Everything is white. And everyone wants to play. You can play, too! Come and join the squirrel, the rabbit, the cat, the dog, and all the children. You don't even need your snowsuit!...

  • Wemberly Worried

    Wemberly 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....

  • Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick

    One peppermint stick. Two sisters. See sibling rivalry turn to sweet solidarity.This sweet and simple board book for the youngest readers features Sheila Rae, star of the Kevin Henkes classic Sheila Rae, the Brave.The charming board books featuring f...

  • Owen's Marshmallow Chick

  • Wemberly's Ice-Cream Star

    One hot summer day Wemberly finds that patience—just like a frosty treat—will go a long way.This sweet and simple board book for the youngest readers features Wemberly, star of the Kevin Henkes classic Wemberly Worried.This charming story...



  • All Alone

    When you are alone, you can do all sorts of things -- pretend you are tiny (or enormous), hear things other people can't hear, and see things they can't see. Being alone is fine -- sometimes.

    Kevin Henke's first book makes it clear that he ...

  • Julius's Candy Corn

  • Olive's Ocean

    Olive Barstow was dead. She'd been hit by a car on Monroe Street while riding her bicycle weeks ago. That was about all Martha knew. Martha Boyle and Olive Barstow could have been friends. But they weren't -- and now all that is left are eerie co...

  • Lilly's Chocolate Heart

  • Kitten's First Full Moon

    Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box " a children’s subscription that inspires a love of reading.

    The nationally bestselling picture book about a kitten, the moon, and a bowl of milk, written by the celebr...

  • A Box of Treats: Five Little Picture Books about Lilly and Her Friends

    Five little picture books about Lilly and her friends.

    Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestseller Kevin Henkes’s series of five original mouse stories for the very youngest child are collected here in a colorful set and presented in...

  • So Happy!

    There once wasa boy,a rabbit,a magic seed,and a book.

    The boy, who was bored,went looking for something to do.The rabbit, who was curious,explored until he was lost.The seed was thirsty,but soon it grew and grew and grew.

    And the book?...

  • Lilly's Big Day

    Mr. Slinger has big news.He's getting married.Married!

    Lilly has big plans.She's going to be the flower girl.(Lilly has always wanted to be a flower girl.Even more than a surgeon or a diva or a hairdresser.)

    But what's the biggest,the ...

  • Box Full of Lilly

    Lilly has starred in two picture books with her name in the title: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Lilly's Big Day. Now these two hardcover books are available in A Box Full of Lilly. The sturdy slipcase features art by Kevin Henkes and the packa...

  • A Good Day

    It started out as a bad day for little yellow bird, little white dog, little orange fox, and little brown squirrel. Until . . .

    A discovery, and love, and luck and persistence, and a different point of view changed all that. What can turn a ...



  • Bird Lake Moon

    Spencer thought the house might be haunted. Mitch knew it wasn't. And he knew why. The whole time Spencer and Mitch hung out together at Bird Lake that summer, there were secrets keeping them apart. And maybe a secret knowledge keeping th...

  • Old Bear

    Come explore the four seasons with Old Bear...

  • Birds

    Birds come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Birds are magic. Birds are everywhere. If you listen very carefully you will hear them, no matter where you live. And if you look very closely you will see them, no matter where you are. And if you can't g...

  • My Garden

    The 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? ...

  • Little White Rabbit

    One 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.......

  • Penny and Her Song

    I Can Read: Level 1

    When Penny comes home from school, she is ready to sing her song. But the babies are sleeping, and Mama and Papa are worried that Penny will wake them up. Oh, but it is a good song, a really wonderful song . . . and Penny wants more than anything to ...

  • Junonia

    Returning to the beach cottage -- a cottage named Scallop -- where she has always celebrated her birthday is a special occasion for Alice Rice. Who will see the first dolphin this time? The first pelican? What will have changed? Stayed the same? A...

  • Penny and Her Doll

    Penny

    When Penny receives a surprise box in the mail from Gram, she is thrilled. The surprise is a doll, and she is absolutely perfect, from her head to her toes. Penny loves her immediately. She introduces her new doll to Mama and to the babies and to Pap...

  • Penny and Her Marble

    Penny

    When Penny spots a marble in Mrs. Goodwin's front yard, she picks it up, puts it in her pocket, and takes it home. It's a beautiful marble--it's big, shiny, blue, smooth, and fast, and Penny loves it. But does the marble really belong to Penny? Wh...

  • The Year of Billy Miller

    Billy Miller - 1

    Award-winning, nationally bestselling author Kevin Henkes introduces second-grader Billy Miller in this fast-paced and funny story about friendship, sibling rivalry, and elementary school. The Year of Billy Miller includes black-and-white art by Kevi...



  • Waiting

    What are you waiting for? An owl, a puppy, a bear, a rabbit, and a pig -- all toys arranged on a child’s windowsill -- wait for marvelous things to happen in this irresistible picture book by the New York Times-bestselling and Caldecott Medalist Ke...

  • When Spring Comes

    The award-winning, bestselling husband-and-wife team of Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek collaborate for the first time since their acclaimed picture book Birds. Before spring comes, the trees are dark sticks, the grass is brown, and the ground is cove...

  • Egg

    EGG is a graphic novel for preschoolers about four eggs, one big surprise, and an unlikely friendship, by Caldecott Medalist and New York Times-bestselling author Kevin Henkes. EGG is not only a perfect Easter gift, but also a classic read-alone and ...

  • In the Middle of Fall

    New York Times-bestseller and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes’s striking text introduces the unique beauty of the fall season. Acclaimed artist Laura Dronzek’s expressive paintings illuminate pumpkins, apples, falling leaves, and busy squirrels. ...

  • A Parade of Elephants

    New York Times-bestselling and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes follows five joyful elephants as they march from dawn to dusk. Where are they going? Read and find out! This engaging picture book is just right for the youngest reader and is a perfec...

  • Winter Is Here

    From Caldecott Medalist and Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes and acclaimed painter Laura Dronzek, this picture book about winter celebrates the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. Snow falls, animals burrow, and children prepare for the wo...

  • Sweeping Up the Heart

    From two-time Newbery Honor and New York Times-bestselling author Kevin Henkes, this timeless novel about loss, loneliness, and friendship tells the story of the spring break that changes seventh-grader Amelia Albright’s life forever. Amelia Alb...

  • Penny and Her Sled

    Penny

    Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes’s award-winning and bestselling mouse, Penny, stars in an irresistible story about anticipation, disappointment, and a brand-new sled. Told in five short chapters, Penny and Her Sled is perfect for reading alone, rea...

  • Summer Song

    From Caldecott Medalist and Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes and acclaimed painter Laura Dronzek, the bestselling and award-winning creators of Winter Is Here, When Spring Comes, and In the Middle of Fall, this picture book about summer celebrates ...

  • Sun Flower Lion

    A sun. A flower. And a lion. With three visual motifs, three colors, and fewer than 200 words, renowned Caldecott Medalist and #1 New York Times-bestseller Kevin Henkes cracks open the wide world and the youngest child’s endless imagination. This i...

  • Billy Miller Makes a Wish

    Billy Miller - 2

    Billy Miller is back! This stand-alone companion to two-time Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes’s award-winning, acclaimed, and bestselling The Year of Billy Miller, Billy Miller Makes a Wish is a laugh-out-loud funny and accessible story about summ...

  • A House

    Caldecott Medal-winner and #1 New York Times-bestselling author Kevin Henkes explores what it means to be at home in this stunning picture book. Brimming with interactive call-and-response questions, A House is a timeless and irresistible must-have f...

  • Little Houses

    From award-winning and bestselling author Kevin Henkes and the acclaimed painter Laura Dronzek, Little Houses is an unforgettable masterpiece about nature, family, wonder, and the ocean. The lyrical writing and stunning paintings make this a great ch...

  • Oh, Sal

    “Delightfully superb.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Henkes is a master.” -- The Horn Book (starred review)“Captivating. ” -- Booklist (starred review)A stand-alone companion to two-time Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes’s award-wi...

  • The World and Everything in It

    There are big things and little things in the world, and everything in between. Caldecott Medal winner and #1 New York Times bestseller Kevin Henkes encourages young readers to be curious about the world around them in this timeless, beautifully illu...

  • A House Board Book

    “Enchantingly simple.”—The Wall Street Journal“Brilliant.”—The Horn Book (starred review)Viewers will love playing seek and find.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)Calde...

  • Finding Things

    From bestselling and award-winning husband-and-wife team Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek, Finding Things is a child-centered, cozy, and conceptually rich picture book that explores storytelling, connections, luck, nature, and responsibility. For reade...

  • Still Sal

    A stand-alone companion to two-time Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes’s award-winning and acclaimed The Year of Billy Miller. With themes of family, friendship, and resilience, this very funny school story focuses on Billy’s little sister, Sal, a...

  • Adventures of Penny

    • / General Fiction
    • Buy Buy

Award-Winning Books by Kevin Henkes

Chester's Way
1990 Keystone to Reading Book Award -- Children's
A Good Day
2007 Midwest Booksellers' Choice Award -- Children's Picture
Julius's Candy Corn
2003 NAPPA Gold Award -- Babies & Toddlers
Kitten's First Full Moon
2004 Parents Choice Award (Spring) (1998-2007) -- Gold
2005 Caldecott Medal -- Picture Book
2005 Midwest Booksellers' Choice Award -- Children's Picture
Lilly's Big Day
2006 Parents Choice Award (Spring) (1998-2007) -- Recommended
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
1996 Book Sense Book of the Year Award -- ABBY Children's Winner
1997 Book Sense Book of the Year Award -- Children's
1998 Kentucky Bluegrass Award -- Grades K-3
Owen
2013 Phoenix Award -- Picture Book
Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick
2002 Bookseller's Choice -- Babies and Toddlers
So Happy!
2005 Parents Choice Award (Spring) (1998-2007) -- Recommended
Sun and Spoon
1998 Bookseller's Choice -- Middle Readers
Wemberly Worried
2000 NAPPA Gold Award -- Storybook


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Kevin Henkes has published 68 books.

The next book by Kevin Henkes, Still Sal, will be published in October 2024.

The first book by Kevin Henkes, Clean Enough, was published in February 1982.

Yes. Kevin Henkes has 2 series.
Author Series
Publisher Series
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