KENNETH KRAEGEL

Upcoming Events

11/2/2019

The publication of Wild Honey from the Moon is almost here. I am looking forward to getting out of my studio and meeting readers! We should have a lot of fun. Every one of these bookstores are wonderful places, here is when I'll be at them:

November 5 - Publication of Wild Honey from the Moon!
November 9 - Wild Honey from the Moon book launch - 11AM Schuler Books, Grand Rapids MI
November 13 - Book release celebration, reading and signing - 4:30 PM The Book Stall, Winnetka, IL
November 16 - Storytime book reading and signing - 11AM Anderson's Bookshop, Naperville, IL
November 21 - Storytime book reading and signing - 10AM Bookbug, Kalamazoo, MI
December 7 - Book Signing - 10AM - Noon, The Bookman, Grand Haven, MI
December 7 - Book signing, tea with honey will be available! This is during Noel Night in Midtown - 5-6pm Source Booksellers, Detroit, MI
December 12 - Parent Shop Night at Schuler Books, I'll be one of four author's reading to kids while their parents shop - 6-8PM, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids, MI

I also will be visiting lots of schools - one of my favorite things to do!

More Wild Honey from the Moon News

11/1/2019

study for Wild Honey from the Moon

From the Wall Street Journal:
In Kenneth Kraegel’s exquisite picture-book fantasy “Wild Honey From the Moon” (Candlewick, 58 pages, $17.99), the illness of a little shrew fires his mother with such determination that she travels from their snug forest cottage to the surface of the moon to procure the medicine that will cure him. Illustrated with deep, rich colors, the tale of Mother Shrew’s journey will lift readers ages 4-8 up and out, imaginatively speaking, while at the same time comforting them, like a cool hand on a hot forehead.
To read the review in full, click here.

From Shelf Awareness:
Wild Honey from the Moon is a mother's love story... and an adventure to linger happily over. Put this one on the shelf next to Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram's Guess How Much I Love You and Maurice Sendak's Little Bear.
To read the review in full, click here.

From School Library Journal:
From the charming tree house community where Mother Shrew lives to the mesmerizing patterns of the Queen Bee’s garden, readers of all ages will delight in studying the intricate world Kraegel evokes.
To read the review in full, click here.

From Readings (Australia):
This gorgeous, full-colour chapter book is an utter delight.
To read the full review, click here.

Plus, Wild Honey from the Moon is an Amazon Best Book of the Month!

Japanese Edition of King Arthur's Very Great Grandson

10/17/2019

The Japanese edition of King Arthur's Very Great Grandson is now on sale! It is pretty cool to see the Japanese script on the cover. I am looking forward to seeing a copy myself!

Here is a link to the publisher Zuiunsya's website.

Sitting On My Brains

10/7/2019

study for Wild Honey from the Moon, table of contents

Here is an essay I wrote for the Nerdy Book Club, a wonderful, sincere blog about reading, books and how those two things come together. My essay is about a middle school teacher of mine and something he told me that I haven't forgotten. It is also about how much I appreciate educators. Enjoy!

I'll be at the Heartland Fall Forum in Cleveland

9/23/2019

study from Wild Honey from the Moon

If you are a bookseller attending the Heartland Fall Forum in Cleveland, I'll be at the opening reception on Wednesday, October 2, come over and say hi!

Two More Reviews for Wild Honey from the Moon

9/12/2019

study for Wild Honey from the Moon

Recommended by the School Library Connection:
The rich and luscious illustrations are what make this book so special; readers will want to examine every detail on every page. Even the text boxes are like small jewel boxes.
If you are a member of the SLC you can read the full interview here.

Five stars from the YA Books Central:
Final verdict: Lovely and colorful, WILD HONEY FROM THE MOON is a gorgeous book about the depth of parental love and a fantastic journey. Recommend for children who are between picture and chapter books as it is fairly wordy but full of beautiful illustrations (or to be read in parts). Mother Shrew's journey is incredible, and it's delightful to follow her in this lovely book.
The full, very nice, review is here.

I have a number of fun events coming up related to Wild Honey from the Moon, I'll be posting updated information on those soon.

A Couple of Reviews of Wild Honey from the Moon

8/12/2019

study for Wild Honey from the Moon

A star from Kirkus:
Divided into seven heavily illustrated chapters, the story is one that will captivate contemplative and creative young readers. Caregivers may find this to be their next weeklong bedtime story and one that fanciful children will want to hear again and again.
click here to read the full review

and a nice review from Publishers Weekly:
Reassuring and warmhearted, the story celebrates a brave and loving guardian who will do anything for her child.
click here to read the full review

Events for Wild Honey from the Moon

6/27/2019

color study from Wild Honey from the Moon

A few dates to put on your calendar:

Oct 2        I'll be signing books for the intrepid independent booksellers, 5PM at the Heartland Fall Forum in Cleveland, OH.
Nov. 5    Wild Honey from the Moon hits the bookshelves!
Nov 9      Wild Honey from the Moon book launch, 11 AM at Schuler Books (28th Street) in Grand Rapids, MI.
Nov 13      Book talk, reading and signing, 4:30 PM at The Book Stall, in Winnetka, IL.
Nov 16      Book talk, reading and signing, 11 AM at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, IL.

Favorite Tool - C Thru Ruler

6/20/2019

Above is a ruler I bought at a college bookstore for a dollar or two and it has become one of my favorite tools. Since you can see through it, it is easy to draw a line and then draw another parallel line using one the lines on the ruler as a guide. To the left is part of the cover for Wild Honey from the Moon. I used the ruler to create all the boxes and corridors on the cover. It was one of my favorite parts of the book to illustrate. I later learned that rulers are made for just this kind of thing (see below).

Bird Feeder Kit

4/25/2019

Earlier this year I had the privilege to work with a local non-profit, Next Step of West Michigan, to create a story-page, coloring sheets, and coloring post-cards for the nifty Log House Bird Feeder Kit that they invented. The feeder is made from scraps of cedar from other products that they make. The kit goes together without any nails or glue and makes for a nice project to do with a child. In one small box, there are quite a few activities for kids to work on - assembling the feeder, coloring the pages, coloring the postcard, and writing and mailing the postcard. At this point it is available locally, but they hope to find a nationwide outlet soon. Nice work Next Step!

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