Title: Kitten’s First Full Moon
Author & Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publisher & Year of Publication: Greenwillow Books, 2004
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Recommended Audience: Ages 3-8
Summary: A little baby kitten loves milk, and she believes what she sees in the sky is a huge bowl of milk. After several of attempts of leaping from the front porch, climbing a tree, and jumping into a poodle, she decides to give up and head home. Luckily upon arriving home she finds exactly what she is looking for.
Evaluation/Reflection: This book captures the mind and spirit of young children, that nothing is impossible. This book could also be cross-referenced when students are studying phases of the moon or learning about reflections.
Memorable Literary Element: The plot in this story would be easy to find and discuss with younger or struggling readers. The same conflicts occurs over and over, therefore students should be able to easily recall situations to discuss.
Illustrations: The illustrations in the book are bold with contrasting black and white pictures.
Review: In a surprisingly new guise, Henkes turns his hand for his 34th book to a retro look, with rough-hewn, black-and-white illustrations that pair perfectly with this deceptively simply story. When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, she ends up tired, wet, and hungry trying to reach it. The coarse but masterfully controlled line with heavy black outlines contains vigor and exuberance, creating a spontaneous feeling. A keen sense of design uses double spreads and panels to depict the action and Kitten’s puzzlement. Some spreads are almost all white space with dark shadows outlining Kitten and the moon. The style is reminiscent of Clare Newberry (Marshmallow, April’s Kittens) without soft, fuzzy shapes, but artful in its gracelessness and naïveté, just like a kitten. Simply charming. (Kirkus Reviews)
Promotion Idea: Kevin Henkes is a well-known and highly accredited children’s book author. Patrons may enjoy reading a brochure or flier about his other works. A display featuring Henkes’
Acquisition: Public library or currently available on Amazon for $13.97 (hardcover).
Author & Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publisher & Year of Publication: Greenwillow Books, 2004
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Recommended Audience: Ages 3-8
Summary: A little baby kitten loves milk, and she believes what she sees in the sky is a huge bowl of milk. After several of attempts of leaping from the front porch, climbing a tree, and jumping into a poodle, she decides to give up and head home. Luckily upon arriving home she finds exactly what she is looking for.
Evaluation/Reflection: This book captures the mind and spirit of young children, that nothing is impossible. This book could also be cross-referenced when students are studying phases of the moon or learning about reflections.
Memorable Literary Element: The plot in this story would be easy to find and discuss with younger or struggling readers. The same conflicts occurs over and over, therefore students should be able to easily recall situations to discuss.
Illustrations: The illustrations in the book are bold with contrasting black and white pictures.
Review: In a surprisingly new guise, Henkes turns his hand for his 34th book to a retro look, with rough-hewn, black-and-white illustrations that pair perfectly with this deceptively simply story. When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, she ends up tired, wet, and hungry trying to reach it. The coarse but masterfully controlled line with heavy black outlines contains vigor and exuberance, creating a spontaneous feeling. A keen sense of design uses double spreads and panels to depict the action and Kitten’s puzzlement. Some spreads are almost all white space with dark shadows outlining Kitten and the moon. The style is reminiscent of Clare Newberry (Marshmallow, April’s Kittens) without soft, fuzzy shapes, but artful in its gracelessness and naïveté, just like a kitten. Simply charming. (Kirkus Reviews)
Promotion Idea: Kevin Henkes is a well-known and highly accredited children’s book author. Patrons may enjoy reading a brochure or flier about his other works. A display featuring Henkes’
Acquisition: Public library or currently available on Amazon for $13.97 (hardcover).