My Words on Children's Literature

Genre 1 INTRO AND PICTURE BOOKS

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Henkes, Kevin. 2004. KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON. Greenwillow Books.

ISBN 0060588284

2. PLOT SUMMARY

A naïve little kitten mistakes a full moon for a bowl of milk. As she tries to get to the “milk”, she meets various obstacles. She tries to lick the milk and is surprised by a bug in her mouth instead. She chases the “bowl of milk” up into a tree and sees a reflection in the pond below and jumps in after it. The poor, wet bedraggled kitten drags herself home and discovers a real bowl of milk on the porch waiting for her.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a book for very young children. The simple black and white drawings are basic, clear, and uncluttered to the young child’s eye. The text reminds us of Margaret Wise Brown’s simple words, rhythms, and appealing sounds. These drawings of the determined kitten are so very expressive that the small child can see how the kitten feels by looking at her face. While I appreciate the simple drawings and realize that young children would appreciate them, I was surprised that this book won the 2005 Caldecott Award because the drawings are so very simple.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in Booklist: “Henkes creates another winner in this simple, charming story about a naive little kitten who mistakes a round, shining moon for a bowl of milk. Wise preschoolers may chuckle at the kitten's folly, but they'll also recognize the mysterious power of moonlight to transform the familiar world of daytime into something altogether new.”

School Library Journal: “The rhythmic text and delightful artwork ensure storytime success. Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Lead a discussion about determination. Share examples of trying to do something.

*Brainstorm things that happen at night.

*Read as a fun book to go along with a unit on the moon.

*Other related books:

Asch, Frank. Moongame. ISBN 0689835183

Wallace, Nancy Elizabeth. The Sun, the Moon and the Stars. ISBN 0618263535

// posted by catalogblog @ 1:04 PM