Owen

Many children face the crisis of having to give up their treasured blanket or teddy bear. They will relate to Owen's firm determination to resist all attempts to separate him from his blanket, Fuzzy. Kevin Henkes has a special knack for presenting these common childhood crises tenderly and humorously. Children will relish the fact that Owen, a child, outwits both his parents and the neighbor -- a rare victory from a child's point of view.

Henkes's expressive watercolor-and-ink illustrations capture Owen's every mood, and Mrs. Tweezers looks appropriately conspiratorial, while his parents are loving yet befuddled. The spacing of text and art provide an open feeling to the story.