Friday, February 7, 2014

[BOOK REVIEW] Owen by Kevin Henkes





Title:  Owen

Author:  Kevin Henkes

Genre: Animals / Childhood / Comedy

Year Published: 1993

Year Read:  1993

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Series: Mouse Books #6

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 4+  (Nothing Objectionable)

Buy on:  Amazon  //  Book Depository 



“Owen” is a cute children’s book written from the mind of Kevin Henkes. The book relates the story of how children are usually attracted to certain objects, such as a blanket, whenever they are young of age. “Owen” was also the winner of the Caldecott Honor Book and has been greatly received for many years.

Kevin Henkes’ illustrations are truly highlighted in this story as the main characters are mainly mice which is the basis for most of his books. Kevin Henkes also vividly illustrates the various reactions on the characters such as, Owen’s look of surprise when he smells the vinegar on his blanket and the somewhat sneaky expression on Mrs. Tweezers’ face as she gives various advice about what Owen’s parents should do about the blanket. The illustrations are also extremely colorful on every page and gives life to the story. The plot of the book is extremely cute as the book details how a young mouse refuses to part with his blanket because the blanket has become Owen’s best friend, just as a teddy bear would become a young child’s best friend before he or she goes to school and meet new people.

“Owen” is a great children’s book about the importance of how certain objects such as a blanket, would help make a child feel more comfortable about themselves by talking or spending time with an object that acts as a real person. Therefore, the child would improve his or her social skills when they come to school by being more trusting of other children just like the child would be trusting towards their blanket or other objects. “Owen” will surely please children ages four or younger for its title character, Owen, and adults would appreciate the solution to Owen still having his blanket but carrying it in a more mature way.

* 1994 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book - Honor Book
* 1994 Caldecott Honor






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