Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes ( ; born November 27, 1960) is an American author of children's books. He is known for writing and illustrating picture books, the most notable of which feature young anthropomorphic mice as their main characters. Henkes also writes middle-grade fiction. As an illustrator, he won the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon. Two of Henkes's books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, Olive's Ocean in 2004 and The Year of Billy Miller in 2014. His picture book Waiting was named both a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and a Geisel Honor Book. It was only the second time any author has won that combination of awards. In 2020, he was awarded the ALA's Children's Literature Legacy Award, celebrating his entire body of work. Henkes and his wife, Laura Dronzek, have collaborated on a series of picture books based on the four seasons, with Henkes writing the story and Dronzek providing the acrylic painting illustrations.

Personal life Henkes lives in Madison with his wife, artist Laura Dronzek, and their two children.

Awards and honors Henkes has won numerous awards for both his books and as an author. In 2007, Henkes delivered the Arbuthnot Honor Lecture, an honor bestowed upon "an individual of distinction in the field of children’s literature ... chosen to write and deliver a lecture that will make a significant contribution to the world of children’s literature". In 2008, he won the Council for Wisconsin Writers' Major Achievement Award. In 2009, Henkes was a finalist for the Astrid Lindgren Prize and won the Jeremiah Ludington Award, which honors "an individual who has made a significant contribution to the paperback book business". In 2020, he won the Children's Literature Legacy Award honoring an author or illustrator, published in the United States, whose books have made a "significant and lasting contribution to literature for children".

In 1987, Library of Congress named Once Around the Block one of the Best Books of the Year. In 2017, the American Booksellers Association inducted Kitten's First Full Moon into their Picture Book Hall of Fame. The Year of Billy Miller was a New York Times bestselling book. Kirkus Reviews and The Horn Book Magazine named it one of the best books of 2013. Waiting was a New York Times bestselling book. Kirkus Reviews and The Horn Book named it one of the best books of 2013. 1996 Protecting Marie Elizabeth Burr / Worzalla Award Winner 1997 Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse American Booksellers Book of the Year: Children's Winner 1999 Circle Dogs Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly commended 2003 Owen's Marshmallow Chick Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly commended

Caldecott Medal Winner Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner

Midwest Booksellers' Choice Awards Winner Lilly's Big Day Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly commended

Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly commended

Little White Rabbit Goodreads Choice Award for Picture Book Nominee My Garden Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly commended

Penny and Her Marble Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor

Elizabeth Burr / Worzalla Award Winner Newbery Medal Honor Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse ABA Picture Book Hall of Fame Finalist

ALSC Notable Children's Books Selection Caldecott Medal Honor Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly commended

Egg Eisner Award for Best Publication for Early Readers Finalist In the Middle of Fall Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly commended Winter is Here Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly commended

Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly commended