Kevin Hawkes, an illustrator of more than 40 acclaimed picture books, including “Library Lion,” “Chicken Cheeks,” “The Wicked Big Toddlah” and “Weslandia,” will speak at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library's December Literary Luncheon at 11:45 a.m., Friday, Dec. 14. 

Growing up, Hawkes never thought he would be an artist. He just loved to draw and paint. He drew just about everything he could think of: ships, castles, race-cars, monsters and sharks. 

Hawkes’ mother and father loved books. Some of Kevin’s favorite books were “James and the Giant Peach,” “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “The Secret Garden,” and all of the “Freddy the Pig” books.

In college, Hawkes signed up for history and science. He took a few art classes, too, but nothing seemed to grab his attention. Then a friend suggested he take an illustration course. When he saw the art of N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, Maxfield Parrish and many other great illustrators, he knew he was hooked. Although his work was often described as off-beat and quirky, he also had a love for traditional painting. 

After college, Hawkes' first art job was working as an assistant animator producing cartoons for Saturday-morning television. After three months he got a new job as a photographic retoucher. It was a good job because he learned how to do fine details in a realistic way. 

When Hawkes and his wife Karen moved to Boston, he ended up working in the children’s section of a book store. For two years he read picture books on every lunch break, studying the artwork. One day, with a portfolio filled with his favorite pieces, he set off on a train to New York to see a publisher about doing his own books. After a few tries, he got the contract for his first book “Then the Troll Heard the Squeak” and he has been illustrating picture books ever since. 

The cost of the lunch, provided by Red Cup, is $10. Register early at the library, as Hawkes is a popular speaker and space is limited. For more information, call the library at 207-633-3112 or email Barb House at barbh@bmpl.lib.me.us.