Some reviewers have called you a genius. Describe yourself.

“I would say I was shy. I’m a worrier. You can say, ‘He loves to be home.’ ”

Hobbies

“Weed the garden. My wife is the gardener, but I like to weed. It clears one’s mind. I like to cut the grass. I think that’s good for writing.”

Weakness

— “I worry. I am Wemberly (a character in one of his books who worries). I worry about the environment, education, our president: big-picture things.”

Favorite color

The blue of a well-worn pair of jeans.

Food he hates

Circus peanuts.

Essential tool

“When I’m painting watercolors for illustrated books, I have an Imperial margarine container I’ve had since the fourth grade. It’s red. I have one backup. It’s blue.”

Favorite Henkes book

“The next one.”