Owen: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

By Kevin Henkes

Book Overview

A Caldecott Honor Book

"Owen is everychild" --Booklist starred review

Owen's fuzzy yellow blanket goes where he goes, even when others think he is too old for it. Will Owen's blanket go to school? A classic, evergreen, Caldecott Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor picture book about comfort and compromise from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kevin Henkes.

"Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. He'd had it since he was a baby. He loved it with all his heart."

Owen's blanket is his favorite possession. Everywhere he goes, Fuzzy goes with him. Upstairs, downstairs, in-between. Inside, outside, upside down. Everywhere When Owen is about to start school, their neighbor offers advice to Owen's parents about how to get rid of Fuzzy, but Owen foils each attempt. Then his mother comes up with the perfect plan that makes everyone happy.

Any child who relies on a comfort object will instantly relate to Owen. This is a story about compromise that speaks both to those not yet ready to let go and those who have moved on. The repetitive, rhythmic text is perfect for reading aloud and story times, and the artwork, in Owen and in all of Kevin Henkes's mouse books, is playful, funny, inviting, and timeless. School Library Journal says, "Most children have a beloved possession that adults expect them to give up, and Owen is sure to become their champion."

Kevin Henkes is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who has been awarded the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon, two Caldecott Honors, two Newbery Honors, two Geisel Honors, the Children's Literature Lecture Award, and Children's Literature Legacy Award, among numerous other honors. Favorites from his body of work include the picture books Waiting, A Parade of Elephants, and The World and Everything In It, and the novels for middle grade readers Olive's Ocean, Bird Lake Moon, and the Miller Family Stories.

Kevin Henkes's classic and bestselling mouse books include:

Chester's WayChrysanthemumJulius, the Baby of the WorldLilly's Big DayLilly's Purple Plastic PurseOwen Sheila Rae, the BraveWemberly WorriedA Weekend with Wendell Penny and Her Marble, Penny and Her Sled, Penny and Her Song, Penny and Her Doll (Level 1 I Can Reads)

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688114490
• ISBN13: 9780688114497
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.0" x 10.4"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Teacher's Review

This is a review/evaluation of the book as part of an in depth study on children's picture books. I am a third grade teacher and I use this book in my classroom because no kid is ever too old to read a great story like this. I truly think it is a classic! Evaluation: In addition to the wonderful illustrations, this Caldecott Honor book is also a heart warming story that is very appropriate for young readers. The illustrations and the story are very appealing to children and allows readers to easily identify with the main character and the situation he is in. The illustrations add to the meaning of the text because they emphasis the personality of the characters. They highlight Owen's playfulness and the love that he has for his blanket. They also add to the worries of the adults in the story because their concern shows in the illustrations. The illustrations also extend the text because they are so clear that a student could understand the story without actually reading the text and rely only on the clues from the illustrations. The background settings are also nicely illustrated and accurately detailed because it is easy to compare and contrast when they are in places in their house that is shared by all of the family members and when they are in Owen's room and his play area in the background. Henkes also adds specific details to the setting that compliment the fact that the main characters are mice. This is reflected in the art work they have in their house and the statues they have outside. The illustrations are done with watercolor paints and black pen for the full-color art. This compliments the mood of the book because the illustrations are very colorful and vibrant. Henkes varies the size and number of illustrations on each page to compliment the plot and to reflect the sequence of events that take place. Each illustration is within black outlined boxes that make it easy to follow the progression of the story. The jacket and cover design expresses the theme and spirit of the book without giving away too much detail. The cover design gives some questions as to why a lady may be looking for the small boy and will spark children's curiosity making them want to read the book. The bright yellow and bold title stands out against a bright blue background. This book is very similar to Kevin Henkes other mouse books. All of his characters face some type of childhood problem that teaches them about growing up. His books are easily recognized by children because the title always contains the name of the main character. Readers also become familiar with the characters because they are in several of his books, even if it is only a picture of them with no reference in the story. The illustrations are all very similar in that they are fun and engaging and add to the story. Henkes commonly includes text in the illustrations that may be a character's thoughts or something they are actually saying. The added text is often more hum

A sweet and thoughtful story

"Owen" is a sweet and thoughtful story on par with all of Kevin Henkes other children's books. Whether you're a teacher looking for a story that students can relate to, a parent searching for a meaninful read for your child, or if you are just in the mood for a story filled with sentiment, you can't go wrong with "Owen."

Owen, My Hero

Owen is one of my favorite characters of all times...probably because like Owen, I was very attached to my blanket. How I wish this book had been published when I was a child! As usual, Kevin Henkes' story is charmingly written and illustrated. There is a lot of humor, plenty of which will make parents laugh as hard as(or harder than) their children. When Owen's busybody neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers, convinces Owen's parents that he's too old to carry around his beloved, yet tattered, blanket, his parents begin a campaign to separate Owen and the blanket. Little do they know the lengths to which Owen will go to protect his blanket. Owen's Mom comes up with a solution that makes everybody happy, even that annoying busybody Mrs. Tweezers! Owen is a spunky, loveable little guy!Enjoy!!

Simply Wonderful!

Buy this book! Everyone can relate to the sweet story of Owen and his favorite blanket Fuzzy. Hooray for Owen's Mom who comes up with a creative solution to an age old dilemma. Delightful illustrations. This will be a favorite at bedtime.

My Son's Favorite Preschool Book

This a very sweet book about growing up. In the book, the main character, Owen, is getting ready to go to school for the first time. He is crushed when he learns that he cannot take his beloved blanket to school with him. As the story unfolds, Owen and his parents work to find a solution to his dilema. This book has subtle humor and simple text that is perfect for emergent readers. The story is one that small children can easily relate to and parents will appreciate. The illustrations are consistent with Kevin Henkes' style. They are lovable and full of expression. I rate this book as one of Kevin Henkes' best!