Kevin Henkes
Group 6
9331001 Jasmin
9331005 Ivy
9331037 Heidi
Contents
Introduction p.1
Author p.2~3
Works p.4~5
Jessica p. 6~8
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse p.9~12
Kitten’s First Full Moon p.13~16
Comparison Table p.17
Conclusion p.18
Introduction
Why we chose Kevin Henkes’s books?
Reading two to three children books per week, we gradually had explored the range of varied children picture books. We read the book called Kitten’s first full moon and Lilly’s purple plastic purse, and accidentally found out that these two books were written by the same author, Kevin Henkes. However, these two books were totally in different, not only in style of drawing but also in design of layout. This made us wondering why Kevin Henkes has such varied styles in his books. Also, we are quite interested in his other works. It was the reason that we pick Kenvin Henkes’s books to be our topic of report.
What we did in this report
In this report, we would show you three picture books, Jessica, Lilly’s purple plastic purse, and Kitten’s first full moon, in order. First, you would get a short brief introduction of each book, including publish year, ideas that author came from, whether the book carried the prize or not, and so on. Second, after having rudimental information and comprehension, we would analyze the character, plot, and painting. By reading this, you would know deeply about the story. Third, we made a comparison chart of three books, so that you can easily see the differences or similarities. At last, there is a conclusion for all this report.
The purpose of this report
We were so interested in Kevin Henkes that we chose three picture books from his works for doing a research. In order to learn more about Kevin Henkes, we look into his works by comparing books, searching on the internet, discussing with group members, and so on.
Author
Kevin Henkes was born in Racine, Wisconsin in November of 1960. He attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and makes his home in Madison with his wife, Laura. When Kevin was a little boy, his parents and teacher told him he was good at drawing. He loves books, reading and looking over his favorites many times. He often wondered about the authors and illustrators but never imagined that one day he would be one. A job he wouldn't trade for anything. At nineteen, he took his portfolio flew to New York, hoping to find a publisher. Susan Hirschman at Green willow Books made his dream came true. His first book, All Alone, was published in 1981. Since then he has written and illustrated many picture books and written several novels, liking the variety of trying new ways to fill he pages between two covers,experimenting with words and paint and ink
In fact, Kevin’s first four books featured people. As his writing became more humorous, he decided animals would help tap into this fun, so he used rabbit characters in Bailey Goes Camping, in which a young rabbit is left behind when his older siblings go camping. Next, he switched to mice in A Weekend with Wendell, and also in Chester's Way, in which Lilly makes her debut.
Kevin's book, A Weekend With Wendell was named Children's Choice Book by the Children's Book Council in 1986. In 1993 he received the Elizabeth Burr Award for Words of Stone. Experimenting with words, paint and ink keeps his job interesting.
Now a Caldecott Honor-winning artist (the Caldecott Honor Book Owen, and the 2005 Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon)and a critically acclaimed novelist (novels include the Newbery Honor Book Olive's Ocean, The Birthday Room, and Sun & Spoon), Henkes has carved out his own place in children's literature.
References
Works
Picture Books
All Alone, 1981 / Bailey Goes Camping, 1985 / The Biggest Boy, 1995 (Illustrated by Nancy Tafuri) / Circle Dogs, 1998(Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino) / Clean Enough, 1982Goodbye, Curtis, 1995 (illustrated by Marisabina Russo) / Grandpa and Bo, 1986 / Jessica, 1989 / Kitten's First Full Moon, 2004 / Oh!, 1999 (illustrated by Laura Dronzek)
Shhhh, 1989 / So Happy!, 1995 (Illustrated by Anita Lobel)
References
Mouse Books
Lilly’s Big Day, 2006 / Chester's Way, 1988 / Chrysanthemum,1991 / Julius, the Baby of the World, 1990 / Julius's Candy Corn, 2003
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, 1996 / Lilly's Chocolate Heart, 2003 / Owen, 1993 / Owen's Marshmallow Chick, 2002 / Sheila Rae, the Brave, 1987
Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick, 2001 / A Weekend with Wendell, 1986 / Wemberly Worried, 2000 / Wemberly's Ice-Cream Star, 2003
Reference
Jessica
Published in 1989
Summary
Much to her parents' chagrin, 5-year-old Ruthie has a devoted invisible friend named Jessica. When Ruthie accidentally spills juice, Jessica gladly takes the blame. When Ruthie's parents plan to hire a baby sitter and go to a movie, Jessica gets a tummy ache and needs them to stay home. “There is no Jessica,” her parents keep insisting. “But Ruthie knew there was,” the author keeps repeating. Jessica is a friend only Ruthie can see, follows Ruthie to school on the first day of kindergarten and then a real Jessica appealed. As a result, Ruthie and Jessica became very good friends. In sum, this quiet, comfortingstory reveals the extent to which a little girl will go to have a best friend and the surprising moment when it comes true.
Character
Ruthie is a little lonesome girl with no one to accompany her. Therefore, she breaks off her imaginations to create an invisible friend called Jessica. In this story, Ruthie is a dynamic protagonist character, who is the central figure of the story.
Setting
This is a timeless tale for there is no identical time mention in the book. Therefore, this book can be passed on time-to-time and ages to ages. In addition, this book was first published in year 1989, and it was still a pleasant to read it.
Narrative Point of View
In this book, Kevin seemed to involve in the story when Ruthie’s parents came to say there is no Jessica to Ruthie. Then, in that moment, Kevin would jump pout and said for Ruthie that there was Jessica to both Ruthie’s parent and the readers. Therefore, I claim this book’s narrative point of view is under the statement of all knowing circumstances.
Plot
This is a progressive or dramaticPlot, and my supporting reason is that: At beginning of the setting, we understand Ruthie is lonely. Therefore, Ruthie imagined a friend who causes the conflict and later rising actions. Then after Ruthie was sent to the kindergarten, there comes the climax so as the end.
Conflict
The conflict is caused by the character herself for she truly believes in what she had imagined. However, it seemed most people are against her.
Theme
The theme of this story is about family caring and friendship. We all know Ruthie is lonely. However, her parents seemed not to notice which later caused Ruthie playing alone in her world of fantasy.
Style
Repeat sentence in this story is: “There is no Jessica,” said Ruthie’s parents. “But there was,” repeated telling by the author. The main idea for the author to emphasis this sentence is to claim “There is no Jessica in adults’ point of view, but from children’s perspective, there is Jessica.”
Tone
The tone used in this story seemed little emotions like neither happy nor sad. It is a story told by the author with little of his point of views. Therefore, the story sounds flat yet touching.
Style of Illustration (Line, Space, Shape, Texture Composition and Perspective)
The way Kevin drew this book is much more real-life-like. I did not mean the picture is realistic, but the things inside the picture are often found in daily life. Kevin uses lots of bright but soft colors like green, purple, and pink to create a fancy world for children. In addition, the lines are mostly carefully drawn but with lot of blanks along the main pictures. I think the purpose for author to leave blanks is to leave spaces for imaginations. Besides, the shape of each picture somehow differs. Some pictures are in a shape of ovals and some are in rectangles. I believe it is do so to create a vivid vision for not being too ordinary.
Conclusion
I think this book was so true that it describe into all children’s heart. I believe all children and even adult all wish to have friends that can share inner feelings with. However, like the little girl in the story, she was so lonely that she is the only kid in her home. Therefore, since parents are busy on their own works, the little girl seemed to lack of other children’s accompany. Perhaps this story also tries to tell parents to spend more time on their own kids. Besides, I believe spending a few hours with kid in having fun will make the relations more intimacy.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Published in 1996
Summary
Lilly loved everything about school, especially her teacher, Mr. Slinger. All of these made her want to be a teacher when she grows up, and so did her friends. One day morning, Lilly took her new glittery glasses and purple plastic purse to school. She was so excited to show her new things to her classmates that she ignored teacher’s warning to wait until recess or Sharing Time and interrupted the class. When her teacher took away her things to keep until the end of the day, Lilly was so furious that drew a nasty picture of Mr. Slinger and slipped it into his bag. As Mr. Slinger returned her purse which contains not only her original things but also a note and a small bag of tasty snacks, he complimented on her new things. Lilly felt like crying after seeing the note and set out to make amends. By drawing a new picture and writing a story about Mr. Slinger, she apologized to her teacher with a picture, a story, Mom’s note, and tasty snack baked from Dad. Mr. Slinger agreed to Lilly’s decision which is to throw away the old picture. It was still a better day for Lilly.
Inspiration
Many years ago when Henkes was on a book tour, waiting in an airport. He believes he was in Boise, Idaho, when he spotted a girl with a pocket book just like Lilly’s. “The girl was driving her father crazy,” Henkes says. “It was on of those moments when the light bulb really goes off. I thought the pocketbook would be perfect for Lilly. So I got on the airplane and began writing.”
Repeat sentence
“Wow” said Lilly/ Mr. Slinger/ her father that was just about all she/he could say.
Character
The main character is Lilly, who loves everything about school, such as the squeaky chalk, the privacy of her own desk, and especially her teacher, Mr. Slinger. She is a lovely, cleaver, and brave mouse. For example, although she made a terrible thing to Mr. Slinger let her felt like crying, she tried her best to make up it and commit an error making apology to Mr. Slinger.
The subordinate character is Mr. Slinger, who is Lilly’s teacher. He is as sharp as a tack, wears artistic shirts, wears glasses on a chin around his neck, and greets the class with “Howdy!” instead of “Good morning.” He is a special, patient, and kind teacher. For instance, he always provided the tastiest snacks to pupils, and he was so patient to tell Lilly it was not a proper time to show her purse.
Plot
At the beginning of the story, we knew the setting is at school. The author told us that Lilly loved everything about school, especially her teacher. The conflict is one day Lilly brought her newly bought purple plastic purse to school, wanted to share it to her classmates, but she couldn’t wait for the recess time; therefore, she kept interrupting the class. Thus, Mr. Slinger kept her purse until the end of day. Following is rising action, Lilly was so sad, and should thought, and she became angry, and she thought, and she became furious! Lilly started to draw a horrible picture of Mr. Slinger, and drawing into Mr. Slinger’s bag. Before going home, Mr. Slinger returned Lilly’s purse and made compliment on it. However, Lilly was still mad and she didn’t want to be a teacher when she grew up. The climax is coming, on the way home Lilly opened her purse, then found out that besides her original things there are two more things in her purse: a note from Mr. Slinger and a small bag of tasty snacks. She felt so sorry and wanted to do something as compensation. She drew a new picture of Mr. Slinger and wrote a story about him saying sorry to Mr. Slinger. Besides, Lilly’s mother wrote a note, and Lilly’s father baked some tasty snacks for Lilly to take to school. Final, Mr. Slinger accept Lilly’s apology, and joining in Lilly’s dance when she performed at Sharing Time. At the end of the story, it was good to see that the relationship between Lilly and Mr. Slinger was as good as before. Furthermore, Lilly really did want to be a teacher when she grew up.
Style of Illustration
The main painting style in this book is using cartoon art, I think it’s related to the main character is animal, mouse. However, although the illustration is comic style, pictures are in high coordination, especially the facial expression on the characters. The layout of this book differs from common ones. It is more like icon graph but not actually is. Illustrator uses watercolor paints and a black pen for the full-color art. In color choosing, illustrator uses more light and vivid colors to make it look colorful.
Theme
Confess one’s fault and make apology.
Reflection
This is a lovely book; not only children but also I love it so much. Readers can see themselves mirrored in the story. At the beginning of this book, we knew Lilly love everything about school, and she wanted to be a teacher in the future. She pretended to be Mr. Slinger at home to teacher her baby brother, Julius. I bet most of children also had this kind of experience, and I had no exception. After buying a brand new purple plastic purse, she was so excited to share it to classmates, but she couldn’t wait for the sharing time and then interrupted the class. So that Mr. Slinger kept her thing until the end of day. In my opinion, this kind of situations was familiar to most of children and they might like to talk about the event and the feeling at that moment. Although Lilly was so furious to draw a terrible picture of Mr. Slinger, she committed this error and made apology to him. I adored what Lilly did after she made a mistake. She was very brave to face the problem instead of running away, by make up his fault and say sorry to Mr. Slinger.
Kitten’s First Full Moon
This book is the author’s thirty-forth book for children, published in 2004, and it is 2005 Caldecott Medal Winner.
Summary
This is the kitten’s first full moon in her life, but she did not know what is that. Out of nature instinct, she thought that was a big bowl of milk. As a result, she tried all sorts of methods to reach that bowl of milk, for instance, she licked, sprang from the top step of the porch, chased it, climbed to the top of the tree, and jumped into the pond. However, she could never make it, poor kitten! She was so disappointed, so she went back home. Luckily kitten, she found a great big bowl of milk on the porch.
Inspiration
Kevin Henkes has always drawn picture books for the youngest child. He becomes interested in simple concept books. There was a book was all about circles-a ball, a bowl, a button, a plate, and a marble, and a line from that book said “The cat thought the moon was a bowl of milk.” The book idea didn't work, but he liked this line and it stuck with him. Over time-several years-the line expanded in his mind and finally became the text of Kitten's First Full Moon. Henkes secretly think of his heroine as Clare.
Characters
The main character is the kitten, and also the moon. These are protagonists. On the other hand, the obscurities are the antagonists, such as the fireflies, the distance between kitten and the moon, the long way to run, and the pond that reflected the moonlight. The kitten had to go through these difficulties to get the moon.
Setting
From the illustration, we can tell it was a full-moon night, and the kitten was sitting on the porch of its home.
Narrative point of view
Following the story, we can see this is an External-Omniscient-Narrator type, which means the narrator is “all-knowing”. Because we can see from the context what happened to the kitten and also the circumstances around her.
Plot
This story is Progressive or Dramatic Plot. The setting is that the kitten saw the moon. The conflict is according to her living experience; she considered that was a big bowl of milk, so she started to take actions in order to get that. With a series of actions (rising actions), the climax is that she jumped into the pond, due to the reflection of the moonlight, because she saw another bowl of milk, which is bigger than the other. She was very upset so she went home. Fortunately, she got a bowl of milk on the porch, which is the end.