Kevin Henkes

Dear Family,

We are studying the children’s author and illustrator, Kevin Henkes.  Ask your child about the books that we have read (Chrysanthemum, Weekend with Wendall, Wemberly Worried, Owen, Sheila Rae, the Brave) by Kevin Henkes.  Also ask them about the reading and writing strategy that we have been working on, called “making connections.”

We are trying to find answers to things we are wondering about Kevin Henkes.  Below is a list of common wonderings, but ask your child about things that they wonder about Mr. Henkes.  You might find information in the public library or on the Internet.  This is not a mandatory assignment. Your child may enjoy searching for the information and bringing some of the answers to our questions in to share with classmates.

Things we wonder

Childhood

Ø  Does Mr. Henkes have any brothers and sisters?

Ø  Did Mr. Henkes have a pet mouse when he was a kid?

Ø  Did Mr. Henkes like to read when he was a kid?

Family today

Ø  Does Kevin Henkes have any children of his own?

Kevin Henkes, the author

Ø  We know that Kevin Henkes writes about young children starting school.  Does he ever write for anyone else?

Ø  Where does Mr. Henkes get ideas for his stories?

Ø  Are the stories Mr. Henkes writes from things that really happen to him?

Kevin Henkes, the artist

Ø  Does Mr. Henkes draw anything except mice?

Ø  Has Mr. Henkes ever won any awards?

Try some of these Internet resources:

http://kevinhenkes.com/               http://www.carolhurst.com

http://bookpage.com/                  http://harperchildrens.com/

Library references:  Talking About Artists by Pat Cummingham (ed), Simon and Schuster, 1995.  Ask your Librarian about other references.