Finding Things

by Kevin Henkes, Laura Dronzek (Illustrator)

From bestselling husband-and-wife team Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek, Finding Things is a child-centered, cozy, and conceptually rich picture book that explores storytelling, connections, luck, nature, and responsibility. For readers of Antoinette Portis, Marla Frazee, and Laura Vaccaro Seeger.

If you were on a walk and found a ball, you could take it home and play with it. You are likely to find many other wonderful things as you explore the world—maybe even a new friend—and that makes you very lucky.

Award-winning creators Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek’s collaborations are always exceptional, full of vivid and deceptively simple observations of the world around us. Finding Things features a succinct text and exquisite, emotionally rich illustrations, and encourages readers to be creative and to find purpose and connections in what surrounds them. A terrific read-aloud to treasure and share, as well as a great title for visual literacy and emerging readers, Finding Things is also a wonderful choice for social and emotional learning.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Dogs, Cats, Childrens, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 14, 2024

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

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I admire simplicity, this was quite a disappointment.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The books that Laura Dronzek illustrates for Kevin Henkes have a different look than ones he draws himself, but the feel isn't dissimilar. Their narrative styles are in harmony. Finding Things explores what might happen if you discover a series of unrelated objects and combine them in the best of ways. Can you optimize your new resources?

Could you take home a rubber ball abandoned in the grass? There's no reason why not. Can you pluck a purple flower pushing through a crack in the concrete? Sure you could. Is it all right to take a cardboard box left by a neighbor for the garbageman? Of course. And what if you found a mewling, homeless kitten? Could you adopt it into your family? Finding precious things left out in the world comes with so many strings attached that sometimes you won’t be sure untangling them is worth the effort, but who can argue with the joy of your very own kitten sleeping in the box you found, watching the pretty flower you picked, playing with the ball you took from the grass? However much red tape you have to cut through, a found blessing is a unique reward.

I'm split on this book. Part of me looks at its message about the simple joy of finding things, and then sees that message compromised by how complicated the process gets due to modern sensibilities that every "i" needs to be dotted and every "T" crossed. But the book finds validation by affirming how happy the ending can be even if you had to work unnecessarily hard to arrive at it. Finding Things is an intriguing, subtle concept, and the illustrations are easy on the eye.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small delights.

Like a lot of Henkes more recent books this skews pre-K.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Henkes is always either hit or miss for me and this one was a miss. I finished it thinking, "What's the point?"

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - 3.75 stars. A dog, a ball, a flower and a box. Find out what they have in common with the help of a kitten and a child.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

What could you create with a ball, a flower, a box, and a kitten? This story. The End.

[Debbie Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story and the illustrations build a gentle story around things a child finds. With each item found you could ask what you migjt do with them. Readers of the season books created by this duo will recognize the cat. Seeing the kitten hiding in a bush on the cover is another detail that I enjoyed. The idea of finding a kitten and giving it a home will resonate with readers. This will be a wonderful book to share with my youngest students in the library. Older students could write their own stories, using found things as a starting point.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Husband and wife team, Henkes & Dronzek, bring readers a darling picture book about the possible usefulness of found objects.

Recommended for storytime.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, simple book. Easy text and colorful, lovely illustrations. A ball, a flower, a box and a white kitten that reminds me of the kitten from Kitten’s First Full Moon.❤️

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple, cumulative story about the idea of finding a variety of lost or abandoned items, ending with a child's family finding, and adopting, a homeless kitten.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely better than I expected it to be, but nothing special. Though I do like the long list of things you have to do before taking the kitten home.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his latest sweet picture book Henkes invites readers to find joy in their surroundings. Even items that have been discarded or ignored by others may prove delightful in the right hands.

The illustrations indicate that a young child walks with her parent and her dog has found a ball, a flower, a box, and a kitten. With simple pictures and few words Henkes, and illustrator Dronzek, engage young imaginations as they wonder how the various found items might come together at the end of the story.

This book brings opportunities to discuss the items readers have come across on their own adventures and imagine other possibilities for them. The vibrant colors will appeal to even the youngest readers. Some adults may struggle with the premise—it is not a simple thing to adopt a kitten you find outdoors—but that may be missing the point. Realists will do well to suspend their disbelief and allow the gentle serendipity of this narrative to bring them joy.

Recommended for PreK-1.

K.M.
School Librarian

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his latest sweet picture book Henkes invites readers to find joy in their surroundings. Even items that have been discarded or ignored by others may prove delightful in the right hands. The illustrations indicate that a young child walks with her parent and her dog has found a ball, a flower, a box, and a kitten. With simple pictures and few words Henkes, and illustrator Dronzek, engage young imaginations as they wonder how the various found items might come together at the end of the story. This book brings opportunities to discuss the items readers have come across on their own adventures and imagine other possibilities for them. The vibrant colors will appeal to even the youngest readers. Some adults may struggle with the premise—it is not a simple thing to adopt a kitten you find outdoors—but that may be missing the point. Realists will do well to suspend their disbelief and allow the gentle serendipity of this narrative to bring them joy.

Recommended for PreK-1.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Kevin Henkes. I've enjoyed reading his picture books and recommending them for the past 30 years, since the mid-1990's when I first began working as a Children's Librarian at a public library.

This book, his most recent, is simple and perfect. Read it, share it, love it. Some of the most simple books are those that become classics, like Goodnight Moon, and The Hungry Little Caterpillar, as I can imagine this book becoming one day.

Themes: cats, dogs
Ages: toddlers-PreK
Pub year: 2024

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: If you found a little ball on the grass and it was there for days, you could take it home. You could play with it.

Premise/plot: A picture book about finding things. "You" find a series of things leading up to a homeless street kitten. Magically, all previous findings help "you" out when it comes to homing the kitten.

My thoughts: I am not being sarcastic with "you." The book is written in second person. It is a slower picture book, it has its own pace. It isn't a story with a lot of thrills--which is fine. Previous love with Henkes might help "sell" this one to readers.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a sweet premise and a dream ending for my cat-loving eldest, but I'm not sure about the overall message about finding (and taking) things. My kids struggle with wanting to take things that aren't theirs (whether picking flowers from a neighbor's alluring garden or finding an abandoned toy on the sidewalk and wanting to rescue it), and I'm not sure if this book helped me make the case that there are things that should stay where they are (especially outside) or that things that are lost may find their person if we leave them be.

[Laura Giessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, simple book, and I must say, it grew on me very quickly upon re-reading. The simplicity, the colored squares, the blue/pink/yellow/green. The kitten made me think of the author's Kitten's Full Moon, of course, which is always fun. The four found things--the ball, the flower, the box, and the kitten--what do they all have in common? Prompts thoughts for little ones, and I think they will love how the story resolves. I like how the page with the kitten has the longest list (including "and you got permission from everyone"--Henkes knows his audience!)

[Zan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child-centered, cozy, and conceptually rich picture book that explores storytelling, connections, luck, nature, and responsibility. If you were on a walk and found a ball, you could take it home and play with it. You are likely to find many other wonderful things as you explore the world--maybe even a new friend--and that makes you very lucky."--

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do a ball, a flower, a box, and a kitten have in common?
They are all lovely things that can be found by a wee girl and her pup.
Found things can be life changing! Go out and see what you can find today.

This is a very sweet, simple story. Just a girl finding things with her dog.
Take a peek under the dust jacket!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in the library office about 5 minutes before our beloved gecko was found, having escaped his habitat almost a month earlier. It is an incredible book (beyond this joyous coincidence)--School Library Journal's review said, "When the illustrations elevate the words the way these do, that's a masterpiece." Agreed. So far it's my pick for the Caldecott Medal.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well crafted picture book about finding and keeping a ball, a flower, and a box. Each item is taken home. Later, a kitten is found. All of the items work together well so that everyone is happy. Similar to Margaret Wise Brown's books, this is a comforting picture book that will be a joy to share with the youngest readers.

"If you found all these things you would be lucky."

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

There really isn't much to this book. You find things that don't look like they really go together, and then in the end they all do go together. The end. It's a very simple book that will be easy for a young reader to read, but it was rather dull. I'm not sure it would keep their attention for long. (Diamond 25-26)

[Calista · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very simple. If you have a toddler age 1-3, maybe 4, this will be a great book for them. As for an adult, there isn't much to get out of this.

I think older children would be bored as well.

The artwork is done with acrylics. The artwork is nice and colorful, but simple to go with the story.

That's the word for this book - Simple.

It's not a bad story, simply boring.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another wonderful, young-child centered picture books from Kevin Henkes. The gentle lesson of serendipity is conveyed well, but could be missed and readers would still get a sense of contentment from this charming little book.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

With colorful and appealing illustrations, this picture book, Finding Things, encourages children to use their imagination about what they could do with things they find. The kitten is especially adorable! Ages 3 - 6.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Kevin Henkes and when his books are illustrated by Laura Dronzek it's close to Toddler Storytime perfection. However - I've noticed his past few titles have been a little more abstract and I find I'm not reaching for his newest books when planning a storytime.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple book with a sweet message for younger readers. The child finds several items that don't seem related until the end when all come together to welcome a new pet. Brightly colored illustrations bring the story to life.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the message in this book. It is about finding things and taking them home. A ball, flower (pick it and take it home), a box in someone's trash, and a KITTEN! Can't we enjoy things where they are at?! Also the kitten needs to go to the vet.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars (it was okay)

meh. I had high hopes with Henkes and this really let me down. I mean, the kitten was cute but I just wasn't a fan of the story. It's definitely simplistic and I get that some people are seeing the joy in little moments and whatnot but it just didn't do it for me.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be great to pair with A Ball for Daisy whether it garners an award or not. Greenwillow has created a beyond extensive teacher's guide for all things Kevin Henkes. There is probably an amazing backstory for this book. Also could use it in a lesson I do about couples who collaborate. Times have changed and in the past it was only married couples (e.g. Leo and Diane Dillon), now may need to expand my thinking.