All Alone

by Kevin Henkes

When you are alone, you can do all sorts of things -- pretend you are tiny (or enormous), hear things other people can't hear, and see things they can't see. Being alone is fine -- sometimes.

Kevin Henke's first book makes it clear that he remembers his own childhood and respects that time in others. His remarkable paintings have a life and luminescense that are unforgettable.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

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

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

So yes (and this has always and totally been the case for introverted me, from my childhood to now when I am almost sixty), the very best thing about solitude, about being alone, is indeed being able to do whatever you want to do and to be whatever or whoever you want to be (and to have no one making comments either negative or even positive regarding this, about what you are doing, about what you are thinking, about what you are saying), with aloneness (as a positive, as something laudable and to actually be striven for and thus equally so as something healthy and not a sign of physical or emotional negativity and trauma) representing a time and also a place to be quiet and contemplative, and that this is precisely and gloriously the atmosphere which Kevin Henkes both verbally and illustratively totally and wonderfully manages to capture and convey in and with his 1981 picture book All Alone (and which also seems to be Henkes' very first book as well).

With very few (but utterly lovely) words accompanied by simple and visually enchanting watercolour and colour pencil drawings, Kevin Henkes (through the young boy who narrates All Alone and totally celebrates his introversion) manages to both clearly and imaginatively show and demonstrate just how very wonderful being alone can be (with our young narrator when alone imagining that he is so big he can taste the sky, so small that he can hide behind a stone and that being solitary also makes the boy look at himself from the inside). And well, with so many of us being either afraid of solitude or often being categorically told (both privately and also publicly) that being introverted and enjoying aloneness is somehow a sign of some kind of emotional or even a physical malfunction, the combination of text and images for All Alone and how Henkes both verbally and visually celebrates solitude and puts this on a delightfully and totally deserved glowing and wonderful pedestal, yes, yes, and a millions times over, All Alone makes both my inner introverted child and also my adult introverted self totally smile (and that my rating of five stars for All Alone is not only totally solid, but that All Alone, how Kevin Henkes hugely celebrates introversion and introverts and thankfully says nothing even remotely negative or critical regarding those of us who like and who prefer solitude and being alone to having lots of friends, to extroversion and being out and about mingling with everyone, that All Alone is also one of those rare books where I wish I could be granting more than five stars).

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When I’m alone, I look at myself inside and out.”

Before Chrysanthemum, before Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, before my favorite Henkes book, Julius, the Baby of the World, there was All Alone. I didn’t even know this book, so different from the rest of Henkes’ books, existed until my fabulous Goodreads friend Manybooks recommended it to me. (Thank you so much!) The book differs not just in illustration but in its more subtle tone.

As an extrovert, reading this pretty picture book was a visit to a foreign country. The boy narrating the book enjoys being able to follow his own interests without compromise, unleashing his imagination to the fullest and undergoing some self-reflection and contemplation “for just a while.” Good advice from introvert to us extroverts.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, contemplative story about being alone with one's thoughts, to enjoy the silence and simply observe what's around oneself. Lovely illustrations.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book celebrates the joy of solitude, the ability to sit and dream, imagine and listen. I am an only child and many people have asked if I was lonely as a child. I wasn't. I had friends to play with, of course and I was almost always eager to 'go outside and play.'

But I also learned to enjoy time alone with my thoughts, experience the joy of wonder, and the quiet of just being me. Being alone, for me, is not equal to being lonely.

This has held true throughout my life, and some of my favorite memories of my travels around the world have been during my solo walks, exploring and adventuring without accommodating another's pace or desires. I have also enjoyed going with groups, but even then, I am not afraid to split off for a time and go explore on my own.

Mr. Henkes captures the peace of silence, being alone but not isolated, in his watercolor and colored pencil illustrations.

Some of the brown 'scribbles' along the edges of the pictures seemed to detract from the overall beauty of the picture, but otherwise, I really liked his depiction of a pleasant afternoon alone.

[Danielle Harriger · Rating 4 out of 5]

PB 39: This book resonated with me because Henkes used simple sentences and sketched illustrations to set up a world where the character in the story and the reader is able to be alone and reflect. I was most drawn to this story because I find books to be an escape from reality, in which I am able to be alone and think about my day. I think this book shows the importance of connecting with yourself and the world around you. Even though I liked the story, I am unsure if children would be able to see the underlying message of the book, and they might be bored with the text. From this reading experience, I will carry the idea that adults can find potency and meaning even in what appears to be a simple children’s book.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before introducing the "rest stop" or "safe corner" of the room, this book would be wonderful to read aloud to help students understand the importance of quiet time. Reflecting on yourself and the world around you helps you gain perspective. This book talks about the joys of spending time alone, solitude. Students may understand this more after hearing the book, and then later this book could be one that stays in the rest stop area to remind them about why we have the rest stop.

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book with my 4 year old son. We both like to be alone sometimes. Artwork is amazing!

[I’m nobody! Who are you? Are you -nobody- too? · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if being alone has some benefits, you cannot stay alone forever.

[Laura Giessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long loved Kevin Henkes but had missed this book--his first! In simple, reflective text and poetic drawings, Henkes extols the value of solitude. Being alone helps us hear more, see more, feel more, imagine more. It is when we are alone that we "ask ourselves questions we cannot answer" and "think of favorite things that we've done." In our fast-moving culture, this is a very relevant message to people of any age, but it is delivered in a way that is accessible to children as well as adults. Would be good to read aloud as part of a mini-lesson in a writing workshop on how writers pay attention to their lives and thus, have important things to write about.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon Kevin Henkes' first published book, dedicated to his mom. It is a sweet, sophisticated book about being alone. Here's what the New Yorker had to say on the Jacket: "This brief and charming picture book explores the experience of being by one's self, not as something to be feared, but as a time to think and feel and to look at things in a new way. The author's sensitive illustrations carry out the idea perfectly."

Quotes:

Dedication: "To Mom, for knowing I should take the chance."

First line: "Sometimes I like to live alone, all by myself."

[Eric Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

KH's first book is a real charmer. It's more of a mood book than a story book, showing how wonderful it can be to do things on your own. It's a beautiful read. His illustrations here are more experimental than his later, more standard style, but that's part of what gives it its charm and beauty. Definitely worth tracking down. I found an autographed copy in the local thrift shop...one of the perks of being from the same hometown as Kevin Henkes!

[Teryn Rumph · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Alone is a great book that teaches children that it's not all bad being alone. Being alone gives you the chance to use your imagination, think in new ways and view situations differently. Sometimes we need our alone time to better know ourselves and that is what this picture book is all about. With its interesting illustrations and simple yet powerful words, All Alone would make an amazing read for yon children.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent of an only child, I get tired of all the books with sibling issues. So this is a nice change. Great for any kid, but especially onlies.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is my anthem.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little book celebrating (instead of condemning) being alone.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, finally, here's a book that celebrates the joys of solitude.

The narrator deftly describes child-sized versions of his experience while others are not present. For example:

"When I'm alone,
I hear more and see more."

Even Kevin Henkes's art looks different. In this picture book, he lets his sensitivity show more.

WHAT A RELIEF: THANK YOU, COURAGEOUS KEVIN HENKES

So unfashionable these days, to write that some people have a need for alone time. That it nourishes us.

By now I've read a ton of picture books that make it seem as though "Be popular" is the cure for all of life's ills.

As though it's desirable to go to your first day of kindergarten, then leave school trumphantly with five instant "Best friends."

So many picture books preach the gospel of sociability. But that need not be a person's religion. Sure isn't mine!

Maybe constant sociability is absolutely necessary for some folks to be happy, but that's a personal preference. Each of us has a right to our own favorite mix of alone and with others.

Along with FIVE STARS, I'm shelving this book under HIGHEST PRAISE.

[نسيبة العزيبي · Rating 5 out of 5]

قصة الأطفال "وحدي تمامًا" هي أول عمل أدبي للكاتب والرسام الأمريكي كيفين هينكيز والتي نشرت عام (١٩٨١) وكان وقتها لا يزال في عامه الواحد والعشرين.

في هذه القصة يقدم كيفين انعكاساً تأملياً عن فوائد العزلة على عكس ما يتصوره أغلبنا وخاصة الصغار. فيخبرنا بطلها عن تجربته مع الأوقات التي يقضيها بمفرده وكيف يجد فيها فرصة للاتحاد من جديد مع ذاته وكل ما حوله والتفكر والتأمل والنظر إلى الأشياء بطريقة مختلفة تجلب إلى قلبه السكينة والبهجة.
رسومات القصة غاية في الرقة وتتوافق مع كلماتها البسيطة وجملها العميقة.

كيفين هينكيز من المؤلفين القلائل الذين يغرونني بتعلم الرسم واستخدامه كوسيلة تساعد في تحويل الأفكار إلى معاني ونصوص معبرة تليق بها وتترجمها على أكمل وجه. هو من أكثر الكتاب الذي يفعلون هذا بي. وإذا ما جاء اليوم الذي أنشر فيه قصة من تأليفي ورسمي أيضاً فسيكون كيفين أول من سأقدم له شكرًا على ذلك.

كل كتابات كيفين للأطفال واليافعين تتسم بالهدوء والشاعرية حتى سلسلته الخاصة بالفأرة "ليلي" وهي الأكثر شهرة ومبيعاً من بين كل مؤلفاته. مؤلفات كيفين غير مترجمة إلى العربية ولكنها جديرة بالاقتناء.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, the wondrous experience of being thoughtful & imaginative in solitude! I would absolutely have adored this when I was a child and, to be honest, it would have helped me feel more confident about myself & less likely to feel dismayed by extroverts' negativity. This is also an ode to Screen-Free time... so I hope that, somehow, more families get a chance to read it.

It is Henkes so it should still be in the libraries (though is only in 1/4 of the ones I use). I enjoyed it on openlibrary.org.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite illustrations, but a good book for a child who likes to be alone or to help a child understand why a friend may like to be alone sometimes. A simple explanation of an introvert.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

2/26/2018 Read with Naomi & Julia.

[Cyril · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, simple (on the surface), thoughtful.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lite on the concept. Neat for kids to see a kid okay with craving alone time. 3yo drawn in by the illustrations

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's book with adult sensibilities. Good for acceptance of the introverts among us.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an advertised extrovert yet often closeted introvert I appreciated this small picture book about the joys of being all alone.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super sweet story about alone time.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm right there with you kid--sometimes I just want to be alone too.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story that captures the sweetness of being alone.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the illustrations for this book were marvelous, the whole wispiness about them and the way there were lines everywhere. The drawings made the book seem more relaxed. The story was nice, and I can see a young child who is prone to wander off by themselves relating to this book. I'd probably recommend.

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

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminds me of This Is Sadie and other books by the same author because there's no real story, and it's just really a dose of sweetness. I don't, however, adore the artwork the way I do the other books. The artwork is okay, but it's not really my thing. I like to be alone and I like the idea that children learn to be alone, but the story itself doesn't blow me over.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short book has many beautiful qualities to both the spare prose and the original style of art shown through the illustrations. Kevin Henkes always seems able to make a person stop and think for a moment, and All Alone succeeds in this aspect very favorably.
I would probably give one and a half stars to this book.