Kevin Henkes. One of my all-time favourite picture book writers. bring his name up, and I’ll tell you about the time I met him, and acted like a complete idiot because he’s such a rockstar. His world of characters are all unique and each has a really distinct personality. His grownups are real, too, not shadowy figures or stereotypes. There is always humour, love, and room for quirks. It’s a wonderful place that he creates in his books, and this new one is no exception.
In fact, I’m such a fan that I ran out to buy this book very shortly after its release, so now I’m sharing it with you, just a couple of weeks old. 
Penny and her Song
by Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow Books
ISBN: 978 0 06 208195 7
Penny came home from school with a new song that she had made up, and was dying to share it – but it was not the right time, with the baby sleeping, and she would have to wait. At the dinner table was not the right time, either. But Penny was patient, and once it was the right time, she shared it with her whole family, who joined in and celebrated that song for all they were worth. Such joy!
As usual, Henkes creates a family full of love, and a young character bursting with all the life and energy of real children. I love that this book represents a return to his more familiar style of illustration, with the fine details and gentle humour that I loved in favourites like Chrysanthemum, Chester’s Way, and Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. I will say with total honesty that this doesn’t replace any of those as my favourites, but Penny is certainly a fun and sweet new addition to his cast of characters.