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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is my anthem.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[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.

[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."

[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...

[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.

[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.

[Mallory]

In Henkes’ first book, the main character reflects on what it is like to be alone with his own thoughts and feelings. The boy discusses some of the private actions and images that come to mind when he is by himself. The beautiful pictures in this story add to the story’s charm.

[Prw41894 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how this book was unlike several of the others I have read thus far. In 40 pages, one would assume the text is emphasized, however, Henkes clearly demonstrates the meaning of his story through his beautiful illustrations.

[Charlie Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, juvenile mainstream story that was named a Newbery Honor book. It starts with a deceptive simplicity, but as the story continues, the expectations of both the characters and the reader are shattered and remade. It's a good story with an even better ending.

[nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for my henkes paper. really liked the pencil drawings - so much different than his lily/other mice work.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book celebrates the joy of being alone, especially in the outdoors. Beautiful illustrations by Kevin Henkes.