Once Around the Block

by Kevin Henkes, Victoria Chess

Annie is bored until a walk around the block to visit her neighbors brings several pleasant diversions

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Library Binding

Published April 1, 1987

About the author

Kevin Henkes is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. As an illustrator he won the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon (2004). Two of his books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, Olive's Ocean in 2004 and The Year of Billy Miller in 2014. His picture book Waiting was named both a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and a Geisel Honor Book. It was only the second time any author has won that combination of awards.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

With her best friend away on vacation, Annie has nothing to do . . . until her mother suggests she take a walk around the block. It's amazing how much there is going on so close to her own home.

Cute enough story, though I really wish Henkes had done the illustrations himself.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the sentiment of this story a lot. It was sweet. But I was not the least bit impressed with the illustrations, they were kind of pathetic. I'm not sure why Kevin just didn't illustrate this book himself. I did like the ending though, it was pretty nice. I might recommend.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fan of the illustrations but the story is so darling!

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Publishers Weekly:
Annie's bored. The baby is crying, and that means Mama is taking care of him. The dog is busy scratching. Her best friend is on vacation. Annie goes out on the front steps to wait for Papa to come home, but she's bored and impatient. Mama suggests Annie take a walk around the block to help pass the time. Each of the neighbors she meets has somethinga cookie, a flower, an offer to run through the grass barefoot. And when Annie gets home, Papa is waiting for her on the front steps. Henkes tells his story with warmth and a believable ending. Chess' art is playful and funny, from the delightful houses on the block to the dark-rimmed eyes of the people and pets. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.


This is a short story that would be excellent for inviting children to talk about their neighborhood and the places close to them. Depending on the group of children they could even go for a walk with their parents and record their observations in a journal. I also think that Annie's seemingly bored attitude demonstrates that even when things aren't super duper exciting or organized/planned by an adult, there are fun things to discover on your own.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The excellent quality of this sweet, warm picture story is hidden well by the tiny size of the book itself.
I really like this book. The narrative is so simple that it could easily deceive a person into not realizing the supreme skill with which it is put together. All of the interactions between the girl Annie and her funny, likable neighbors are just great, and as so often seems to be the case with the books of Kevin Henkes, there is an undercurrent to the story of something special, something real that I never can put my finger on but which makes experiencing a Kevin Henkes book a truly wonderful time.
Once Around the Block is one of my favorite Kevin Henkes picture books. I would certainly recommend it to anyone that asks me.

[Jobie · Rating 1 out of 5]

definitely not a "childhood favorite."
we love the author, but this was an early book for him.

[nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for MFC paper, not one of my favorite henkes books but a nice reminder of the freedom children in the late '80s had.

[Renée · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely tale but an adored children's book author

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do you do when the baby is crying and you've been waiting for Papa to come home from work? You take a walk. Meet Annie's neighbors.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria Chess has a style that's suitable for satire, monsters, naughtiness... I was very surprised when I picked up this Henkes and saw her illustration credit. Well, after reading it, I'm more than surprised; I'm disappointed. Lovely story. Would have been so much better with Henkes' own art.

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