In Memoriam...Katey Howes

Like so many, the Rhyme Doctors were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of children's author and amazing human being, Katey Howes. Michelle Schaub and I initially met Katey through a picture book debut group, Picture the Books (PTB). Thirty-one members strong, PTB gelled in 2017 as a tight-knit, supportive group with the common purpose of enthusiastically promoting each other's first books. That bond and spirit continued beyond 2017, with a Highlights retreat, many Zoom calls, and shared book events. It even spurred a follow-up group, Seen in '19, which brought Eileen Meyer into the fold with those members who had additional picture books premiering in 2019. And we all found it easy to keep up with Katey through her strong social media presence.

Patricia, Katey, and Michelle at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, IL, celebrating Katey's book BE A MAKER.

Katey was clever, organized, generous, and joyful. She also shared our love of poetry. The first two of Katey's books, GRANDMOTHER THORN (illustrated by Rebecca Hahn) and MAGNOLIA MUDD AND THE SUPER JUMPTASTIC LAUNCHER DELUXE (illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti) were not written in rhyme.

In fact, Katey was not, at first, confident writing in rhyme. But she believed that, through reading, studying, and practicing, she could become adept at it. And she did!

Her next two books were written in rhyme. BE A MAKER (illustrated by Elizabet Vuković) is a celebration of STEAM, makerspaces, and creativity in children. Readers cannot only imagine the things they can make, but also reflect on the impact they might have in the world.

RISSY, NO KISSIES! (illustrated by Jess Engle) tackles the topics of consent and body autonomy in a child-friendly way. Rissy, a lovebird, is reassured that she can find a way to express affection that is best for her. In addition to the adorable rhyming text, the story employs two refrains that encourage readers to join in the reading. 

Katey's next book, A POEM GROWS INSIDE YOU (illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee), is a winner of a book -- literally! It was the picture book winner of the 2023 Northern Lights Book Award and recipient of the 2023 Lee Bennett Hopkins Award honor award. It also represented Pennsylvania at the 2023 National Book Festival. Katey joined us on the House Calls blog for a special guest post about using extended metaphor in a poem. To revisit that post, click here.

WOVEN OF THE WORLD (illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova) is written from the viewpoint of a young weaver. Katey's poetry in the book reflects the rhythm of the loom, as she explores the history and practice of weaving in cultures worldwide. Weaving also serves as a metaphor for lives intwined with others. 

Sadly, Katey's untimely death came just a few weeks before her latest book is to be released. THE REINDEER REMAINDERS is a clever book about reindeer and math -- and what happens when a group of 13 reindeer are divided in many ways into subgroups, always leaving one reindeer out. What is a "remainder" reindeer to do? Is there a solution to the problem? It's a wonderful book to be shared any time of the year. 

Pre-orders of THE REINDEER REMAINDERS are available now online and through local booksellers. The Rhyme Doctors and Picture the Books crew plan to celebrate Katey's newest book when it is released on July 9, 2024. Won't you join us?

Katey is survived by her loving family. Our hearts are with them during this difficult time. 

[For anyone who may wish to make a donation in Katey's memory, her family suggests these charities:

• HomeFront NJ, a charity to which the Howes family has been close for several years;
• Gift of Life, who helped ensure that Katey's tragic passing became a moment of hope for others; and
• The Katey Howes Fund at the Highlights Foundation scholarships, which will use this to endeavor to help support authors trying to bring their voice into the world to have the opportunity to do so.] 

~ Patricia Toht