If you enjoy reading books by Kevin Henkes then you might also like the following authors:
Mo Willems is a writer and illustrator known for creating funny and heartfelt stories for kids. One of his popular books, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”, features a cheeky pigeon who desperately wants to drive a bus despite the obvious problem that pigeons can’t drive.
The story is interactive, asking readers to engage with the pigeon as he pleads, argues, and throws a tantrum. Fans of Kevin Henkes, who enjoy warm and relatable characters, might enjoy Willems’ humorous take on everyday dilemmas.
Patricia Polacco is an author and illustrator known for her heartfelt picture books that often draw from her own life experiences. One of her stories, “Thunder Cake,” is about a young girl who learns to overcome her fear of thunderstorms with the help of her grandmother.
As the storm approaches, her grandmother encourages her to gather ingredients for a special cake, which helps the girl focus on something other than her fear. The story mixes warmth with a sense of accomplishment and shows the bond between generations.
Fans of Kevin Henkes may enjoy Polacco’s ability to capture childhood emotions so vividly.
Lois Ehlert was an illustrator and author known for her vibrant and creative picture books. One of her standout works is “Leaf Man.” The story follows a figure created entirely from leaves that seem to be carried away by the wind, traveling across farms, rivers, and hills.
The illustrations, made from real leaves and other natural materials, are bold and colorful, adding a unique charm to the book. Fans of Kevin Henkes, who enjoy warm storytelling paired with beautiful artwork, might find Ehlert’s books equally enjoyable.
Rosemary Wells is known for her heartwarming and relatable children’s stories. One of her books, “Max’s Chocolate Chicken,” features the mischievous Max and his big sister, Ruby.
The story follows the siblings as they search for Easter eggs, with little Max determined to win a prize—the chocolate chicken. Ruby sticks to the rules, while Max finds his own way to get what he wants.
The dynamic between the characters is sweet and funny, with bright illustrations adding charm to the tale. Readers who love Kevin Henkes’ ability to capture sibling relationships might enjoy Wells’ Max and Ruby series.
Matt de la Peña writes heartfelt stories that often explore family, identity, and emotions in ways both kids and adults can enjoy. One of his books, “Last Stop on Market Street,” follows a boy named CJ and his grandmother as they ride a city bus after church.
Through their journey, CJ learns to see the beauty in the everyday world around him and understand the value of connection and kindness. It’s a warm, thoughtful story with moments that feel real and meaningful.
Jan Brett is an author and illustrator known for her detailed artwork and warm storytelling. One of her well-loved books, “The Mitten,” brings a Ukrainian folktale to life.
In the story, a young boy loses his mitten in the snow, and one by one, woodland animals crawl inside to seek shelter. Each new animal squeezes into the mitten, leading to moments that are both funny and heartwarming.
The illustrations are rich with winter charm, and there are plenty of little details in the borders that add to the experience. Fans of Kevin Henkes might enjoy Brett’s ability to capture gentle, relatable moments in her stories.
Mem Fox writes heartwarming stories that often focus on family, love, and connections. One of her books, “Possum Magic,” follows a grandmother possum and her grandchild as they journey across Australia to reverse a spell that made the little possum invisible.
The story is full of charm, with Australian animals and foods making the adventure come alive. Readers who enjoy Kevin Henkes’ gentle and memorable tales might find Mem Fox’s work equally delightful.
Peter H. Reynolds is an author and illustrator known for creating heartwarming stories that celebrate creativity and self-expression. One of his books, “The Dot,” tells the story of Vashti, a young girl who believes she can’t draw.
When her teacher encourages her to make a simple mark on paper, Vashti’s journey of discovery begins. Her single dot turns into a journey of creating art and building confidence. It’s a beautifully simple tale about discovering your potential in unexpected ways.
Fans of Kevin Henkes’ gentle and thoughtful storytelling will find a lot to enjoy in Reynolds’ work.
Oliver Jeffers is an author and illustrator known for his whimsical picture books that spark imagination. One of his books, “Lost and Found,” tells the story of a boy who discovers a penguin at his doorstep.
Unsure where the penguin came from, the boy decides to help it find its way back home. Their journey takes them across the ocean, leading to unexpected friendship along the way.
Jeffers combines simple yet heartfelt storytelling with charming illustrations, making his books a delightful experience for readers.
Cynthia Rylant is a gifted author known for her heartfelt and relatable stories for children. One of her books, “The Relatives Came,” tells the story of an extended family gathering in the summer.
The relatives drive for hours to visit, filling the house with laughter, love, and the chaos that comes with too many people under one roof. The warmth of family bonds shines through, and the detailed illustrations bring the lively characters and setting to life.
Fans of Kevin Henkes, who enjoy tales about family and connection, would likely find Rylant’s work equally enjoyable.
Lauren Child is known for her playful and creative stories that often mix humor with a touch of whimsy. One of her standout books is “I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato.”
It’s about Charlie, a patient older brother, who finds clever ways to convince his picky little sister, Lola, to try new foods. He transforms everyday vegetables into imaginative things, like calling carrots “orange twiglets from Jupiter.”
The story is lighthearted and filled with quirky charm, making it fun to read for both kids and adults.
Julia Donaldson is a children’s author with a knack for creating heartfelt stories that stick with you. One of her books, “The Gruffalo,” is about a clever mouse who avoids danger in the woods by inventing a scary creature to frighten off predators.
The twist comes when the creature, the Gruffalo, turns out to be real. The story has a wonderful rhythm to it and plenty of surprises, making it both fun to read and easy to memorize.
If you enjoy the warm and thoughtful tone of Kevin Henkes’ books, you might like the way Donaldson pairs humor with clever storytelling.
Chris Van Dusen is an author and illustrator known for creating lively and imaginative children’s books.
One of his standout works is “If I Built a House,” where a boy named Jack dreams up his perfect house filled with wild features such as a flying room and a slide that transports you to a giant pool.
The story captures the wonder of creativity and brings children’s big ideas to life on the page. Van Dusen’s bright illustrations add a playful energy that fans of Kevin Henkes might enjoy.
David Shannon is a children’s book author and illustrator known for his playful and colorful stories. One of his popular books, “No, David!”, follows a mischievous boy named David as he navigates all the trouble he can possibly get into.
The book is filled with simple yet bold illustrations and captures the humor of childhood mischief. The story is told with warmth and an understanding of how kids think and act, making it relatable and fun for young readers.
Fans of Kevin Henkes’ knack for capturing the essence of childhood might enjoy Shannon’s vibrant approach.
Anna Dewdney wrote books for children that are sweet and relatable. Her “Llama Llama” series focuses on the everyday experiences of a young llama. In “Llama Llama Red Pajama,” Little Llama struggles with bedtime when Mama Llama isn’t there right away.
It’s simple and comforting, showing kids that being impatient or scared is okay, and parents will always try their best to be there. The rhythms and rhymes make it fun to read aloud.
If you enjoyed Kevin Henkes’ warm and gentle stories, you might like how Dewdney captures the challenges and joys of childhood with heart.