Kevin Henkes (b. November 27 1960, Racine, Wisconsin) is a noted children's book author and illustrator, most famous for his book, Kitten's First Full Moon, which won the 2005 Caldecott Medal. He is an author/illustrator of children's picturebooks (they mostly star mice), and also writes young adult novels. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, which is his current hometown. He married artist Laura Dronzek in 1985. They are the parents of two children. Henkes' career began with editor Susan Hirschman at Greenwillow Books on a trip to New York City to hunt for a publisher at the age of 19. His first book, All Alone was published in 1981. Henkes has now published more than 30 books with Greenwillow. He is also the writer of the best selling children's picturebook Chrysanthemum, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, as well as other well-known "Mouse" books that star lovable rodents like Julius, Wemberly, Wendell, and Jessica. Other awards include the 2004 Newbery Honor for Olive's Ocean and a 1994 Caldecott Honor for Owen.
