Wemberly Worried

Title: Wemberly Worried

Author: Kevin Henkes

Illustrator:  Kevin Henkes

Publishing company: Greenwillow Books

Copyright: 2010

Number of pages:  32

Genre/category: fantasy

     I chose this book because I really enjoy Kevin Henkes’ stories.  I am fond of several of his other works.  This book was brought to my attention by one of my professors and I just had to purchase it.  This story is about a little talking mouse that worries about everything.  She is supposed to be going to school, but she is really worried about…well everything.  It is not until she meets a new friend that she begins to relax and worry a little less.

      Watercolor paints and a black pen are used for all of the artwork in this book.  The author uses a formal text placement throughout the story.  The pictures help the reader to see Wemberly’s emotions and feelings.  The colors are bright and playful.  Wemberly is drawn in such a manner that she just looks like a worry wart.  There is a good bit of negative space and it is used to draw the reader’s attention to the pictures and expressions on Wemberly’s face. 

     I would definitely recommend this book for kindergarten students.  It is really hard for them on the first day of school.  However, any grade could use this as a first day of school opener.  I would use this book to get students thinking and talking about their emotions.  I would use this book during a history class to talk about how schools are different in other places.  Not just in other countries, but from town to town as well.  Kevin Henkes has won awards for some of his other books; however, this book has not won any awards yet.