About the Author

Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; two Newbery Honors-one for Olive's Ocean and one for The Year of Billy Miller-and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include Sun Flower Lion, A Parade of Elephants, Chrysanthemum, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in a house in Madison, Wisconsin.

Reviews

"Perfect for beginning readers. A treasure." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "Henkes continues to plumb the emotional world of childhood as few author/illustrators can... Another gem." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Impeccable... Respect for the beginning reader's emerging skills beautifully matches Henkes's respect for Penny ." -- Horn Book (starred review) "Splendid ... Henkes so completely understands the minds of small children... His vivacious panels always seem to burst with springtime. It's hard to imagine anything ever going too wrong in one of his sensitive, generous portrayals. Everything here ends just right." -- New York Times Book Review "Henkes ups the emotional stakes in his third book starring Penny." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Henkes conveys shades of emotions that are common to human experience, yet hard to express in words. It's particularly impressive that he can do so in a book for beginning readers... This small-scale, yet immensely satisfying drama is a fine addition to the Penny series." -- Booklist (starred review) Praise for Penny and Her Song: "Henkes strikes all the right notes... Language, art, characterization, and plot are all executed, like Penny's song, beautifully." -- Horn Book (starred review) "The text ... is perfect for new readers, and Henkes's familiar artwork has its share of warm moments. This early reader captures the way families make memories at unexpected moments. Welcome Penny to the cast." -- Booklist (starred review) "Much as he did in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Henkes presents an irrepressible heroine who struggles to compromise." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Carefully sequenced panels, expressive lines and gentle pastels lead the reader to the story's joyous resolution." -- Washington Post