Kevin Henkes was born on November 12, 1960, in Racine, Wisconsin. He always loved to draw, and was encouraged by his family and teachers. His books tend to reflect his generally happy upbringing - they're not all sunshine and fairydust, but they all center around people helping each other through difficulty.
He and his four siblings all attended art classes at a nearby museum. Kevin was jealous of his older brother, who always took the good brushes, but he learned to make do. That brother now owns a print shop.
At nineteen, Kevin flew to New York with his portfolio, determined to find a publisher. "I was convinced I would come home with a book contract." He did. The second day he was there, his first choice of publisher, Greenwillow, bought All Alone, and published it in 1981.
Kevin has written and illustrated quite a few picture books, and is now moving into novels for young-adult and intermediate readers. A lot of authors can't make that transition well, but Kevin's books are always excellent.
Kevin lives with his wife and son in Madison, Wisconsin. They each (not the baby) have separate studios within the house - his wife is a painter as well, and has illustrated several of his novels.
Books:
Bailey Goes Camping
The Biggest Boy
The Birthday Room
Chester's Way
Chrysanthemum
Circle Dogs
Clean Enough
Good-Bye, Curtis
Grandpa and Bo
Jessica
Julius, the Baby of the World
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Oh!
Owen
Protecting Marie
Return to Sender
Sheila Rae, the Brave
Shhhh
Sun & Spoon
Two Under Par
A Weekend With Wendell
Wemberly Worried
Words of Stone
The Zebra Wall
thanks to:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/98944/106-2395346-4110869
http://www.nccil.org/exhibit/henkes.html
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/k6/henkes.html
http://www.bookpage.com/9609bp/childrens/lillyspurpleplasticpurse.html
www.amazon.com