Kevin Henkes

I have spent the past two months preparing my first- and second-grade students for Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes's visit to our school library. On March 23, he will chat with them about his bestselling books, his career, and his new book, Penny and Her Song. Kevin's books hold a special place in the hearts of children, parents, teachers, and librarians.

My students prepared for Kevin's visit by

*learning about the history of the Caldecott Medal;

*watching Owen on BookFlix;

*creating a podcast about Owen and Kitten's First Full Moon;

*examining his dust jackets;

*exploring www.KevinHenkes.com;

*reading and reading and reading and reading and reading and reading and reading his beloved picture books;

*using ScreenChomp to create a video about one of his picture books;

*comparing and contrasting the illustrations in My Garden and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse;

*dramatizing Kitten's First Full Moon;

*describing his illustrations to stuffed animals;

*looking up his books in the catalog;

*writing questions for the Q & A session;

*celebrating Lilly's Big Day;

*creating welcome signs;

*practicing how to stand in a signing line.

Kevin talks about his new mouse character, Penny. She's different from Lilly.

Kevin Henkes reads his manuscript aloud over and over and over.

Junonia is set in a place where Kevin and his family spend time during the summer.

Learn about the inspiration for Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse.

Download discussion guides and coloring sheets for many of his books.

Borrow Penny and Her Song from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.