If you enjoy reading books by Kevin Henkes then you might also like the following authors:
Mo Willems creates funny and endearing children’s books, filled with expressive, playful illustrations and memorable characters. If you’re a fan of Kevin Henkes’ warm storytelling, you’ll probably enjoy Willems’ lively characters and gentle humor too.
His book “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” features an enthusiastic pigeon determined to take the wheel after the bus driver steps away briefly. The pigeon uses increasingly silly and creative pleas, trying every trick imaginable to convince you, the reader, to let him drive.
The book’s simple, vibrant artwork and humorous dialogue make it enjoyable for both adults and children.
Patricia Polacco writes heartfelt picture books that explore meaningful childhood moments and family connections. Her stories often honor the importance of kindness, acceptance, and the special bonds among people.
In “Thank You, Mr. Falker,” Polacco tells a touching tale inspired by her own childhood. Young Trisha struggles to read and feels discouraged by the challenges and teasing she endures at school.
Things begin to change when she meets Mr. Falker, a patient and understanding teacher who recognizes her strengths and gently guides her toward overcoming her reading difficulties.
Through honest emotions and warm illustrations, Polacco highlights the power of encouragement and perseverance. Readers familiar with Kevin Henkes will recognize and appreciate Polacco’s thoughtful storytelling and ability to capture authentic childhood feelings.
Readers who enjoy Kevin Henkes might appreciate Lois Ehlert, an author known for vibrant illustrations and playful storytelling.
A great example of her work is “Leaf Man,” a delightful picture book that follows the adventurous journey of a figure made entirely from autumn leaves. As the Leaf Man travels through fields and forests, readers discover imaginative scenes cleverly created from natural elements.
Lois Ehlert’s eye for color and detail captivates both kids and adults, making her stories fun and visually appealing.
If you enjoy Kevin Henkes for his gentle storytelling and beautiful illustrations, Rosemary Wells might catch your attention too. Her stories are warm, sweet, and filled with memorable animal characters.
In “Max’s Chocolate Chicken,” brother and sister bunnies Max and Ruby set out on an egg hunt, where whoever finds the most eggs wins the big chocolate chicken. But Max isn’t too interested in searching—he has his eye on that chocolate chicken from the very beginning.
Wells captures the playful humor and genuine sibling dynamics, making it easy to love Max for his determination and honesty. This story offers a cozy reading experience that’s perfect for fans of Henkes’ charming and relatable tales.
Matt de la Peña writes thoughtful and heartfelt children’s books that capture the emotions of everyday moments in a gentle way, similar to the style readers love from Kevin Henkes.
In “Last Stop on Market Street,” de la Peña tells the story of CJ and his grandmother during their weekly Sunday bus ride after church.
Along the way, CJ notices the differences between his life and others, prompting heartfelt conversations with his grandmother about generosity, gratitude, and finding beauty in simple things.
This thoughtful narrative, complemented by colorful illustrations, thoughtfully explores life’s small moments and family relationships.
Books by Jan Brett offer beautifully illustrated, heartfelt stories that often feature animals and gentle life lessons. Her book “The Mitten” is a wonderful tale about a boy named Nicki who drops his white mitten in the snow without noticing.
A charming cast of woodland creatures discovers the mitten and squeezes inside one by one, creating humorous surprises along the way.
Brett’s detailed artwork and playful storytelling style share similarities with Kevin Henkes, whose warm stories like “Chrysanthemum” capture everyday moments with empathy and insight.
Readers who appreciate Kevin Henkes’ gentle narratives and engaging illustrations may find Jan Brett’s books delightful.
Readers who love Kevin Henkes might also enjoy Mem Fox. Her stories capture small moments with warmth and humor. In “Koala Lou,” Fox tells about a young koala who misses the special attention she used to get before her siblings arrived.
Determined to regain her mother’s affection, Koala Lou enters the Bush Olympics, convinced that winning will bring back those comforting words she longs to hear. The story lovingly explores themes of family, reassurance, and self-worth.
Mem Fox’s gentle storytelling paired with expressive illustrations makes “Koala Lou” a delightful read.
Readers who enjoy Kevin Henkes might also appreciate books by Peter H. Reynolds. Reynolds creates simple, heartfelt stories paired with gentle illustrations.
One excellent example is “The Dot,” a story about a girl named Vashti who struggles with self-confidence in her art class. Her teacher encourages her to make her mark on the page, even if it’s just a dot.
This simple act inspires Vashti to experiment and find her creativity in unexpected and joyful ways. Reynolds presents themes of courage, expression, and discovery in a way that feels genuine and uplifting.
Oliver Jeffers creates picture books full of charm and imagination, thoughtfully combining playful art with heartfelt stories. His book “Lost and Found” tells a lovely tale about a young boy who finds a penguin at his doorstep.
Determined to help the penguin return to its rightful home, the boy sets off on a heartfelt journey across the ocean.
Readers who enjoy Kevin Henkes for his thoughtful characters and gentle storytelling will appreciate how Jeffers uses simple, expressive illustrations and tender narratives to explore friendship and belonging.
Books by Cynthia Rylant often explore warm, relatable themes through characters that readers can love and remember, similar to those created by Kevin Henkes.
Her book “Henry and Mudge: The First Book” introduces readers to Henry, a young boy who longs for companionship and finds a loyal friend in a big, lovable dog named Mudge. The two quickly become best friends and share gentle, everyday adventures.
Their charming bond and heartfelt experiences are both comforting and humorous, making this a perfect choice for anyone who appreciates Henkes’ thoughtful storytelling and charming characters.
Readers who enjoy Kevin Henkes may also appreciate Lauren Child, an author known for charming, imaginative stories that speak directly to young children’s experiences.
In her book “I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato,” she introduces us to Charlie and his picky-eating little sister Lola.
Charlie cleverly invents whimsical stories about ordinary foods, turning carrots into “orange twiglets from Jupiter,” and peas into “green drops from Greenland.” His storytelling transforms everyday dining into an imaginative adventure, making meals irresistible to Lola.
Child’s playful narrative and vibrant illustrations are delightful, sure to captivate fans who cherish Henkes’ gentle and relatable children’s stories.
Julia Donaldson is a children’s author whose delightful stories and charming characters appeal to readers who enjoy the gentle warmth and playful style of Kevin Henkes.
Donaldson’s book “The Gruffalo” tells a wonderful story about a clever little mouse who invents a scary monster to scare away predators. To the mouse’s surprise, he soon discovers the imaginary Gruffalo isn’t so imaginary after all.
Donaldson weaves humor, suspense, and a playful twist into a beautifully illustrated book children can enjoy again and again. Her rhythmic storytelling and lovable characters make “The Gruffalo” a memorable tale.
Chris Van Dusen is an author and illustrator known for playful characters, bright illustrations, and imaginative storytelling. Readers who enjoy Kevin Henkes’ charming style will appreciate Van Dusen’s expressive artwork and adventurous tales.
His book “If I Built a House” captures the enthusiasm and creativity of childhood perfectly.
In this lively story, a young boy named Jack dreams up a house that is far from ordinary, complete with a racetrack room, an underwater room with a see-through floor, and even a flying room.
Van Dusen’s vibrant illustrations and rhythmic storytelling blend humor, creativity, and warmth in ways that keep young readers engaged.
Readers who enjoy Kevin Henkes’ charming and relatable stories may also appreciate the playful books of David Shannon. Shannon captures everyday childhood moments with humor and warmth in stories children and adults both love.
In his popular book “No, David!”, young David constantly hears “No!” from his mother as he gets into mischief throughout his house.
Bright, lively illustrations show David’s various adventures—from tracking mud indoors to jumping on furniture—and perfectly match the story’s lively pace.
This playful portrayal of childhood captures the frustration and humor familiar to kids and their parents, making Shannon’s books a delightful addition for fans of Kevin Henkes.
Anna Dewdney was an author and illustrator known for warm, engaging children’s stories filled with empathy and gentle humor. If you enjoy the sweet charm of Kevin Henkes’ books, Anna Dewdney’s “Llama Llama Red Pajama” is a worthy read.
The story follows young Llama Llama during bedtime, as he anxiously waits for his mama to arrive and tuck him in. His imagination starts racing, and readers see him go through worry and impatience before calming comfort arrives.
Dewdney perfectly captures childhood bedtime insecurities with simple rhymes and expressive illustrations that reassure young readers.