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| Artwork by Kevin Henkes. Image from www.kevinhenkes.com |
by Kevin Henkes
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Henkes, Kevin. 2004. KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON. Ill. by the author. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0060588284
PLOT SUMMARY
In his thirty-fourth children’s book, Kevin Henkes tells the tale of hungry and inquisitive Kitten who, one night, witnesses her first full moon. Mistaking it for a large bowl of milk, Kitten is determined to reach it. Poor Kitten! After several attempts, resulting in eating a bug, tumbling down some stairs, chasing it down, climbing a tree, and finally jumping into a pond, Kitten decides to go back home in defeat, still hungry. But just as she’s reaching her home, her night gets unexpectedly better. Lucky kitten!
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Henke’s simple writing and bold text make the book easy to follow for early readers. The use of repetition of phrases like “Poor Kitten!” and “Still, there was a bowl of milk, just waiting,” gave the story a nice rhythm, and kept the plot moving along at a nice pace. I sat down with my 6 year old to have him read it out loud. He was able to get through it pretty easily, struggling with only a handful of words. When asked if he enjoyed the book he responded, “Yes, because the silly kitten thought the moon was milk and she kept trying to get it.” I asked him what his favorite part was and he said, “When the kitten ate a bug, and when she fell in the water. Those were the funniest pictures.”
Henkes’ own drawings serve as the book’s illustrations. His simple black images on the creamy white of the book’s pages really make Kitten’s ordeals come alive for young readers and non-readers alike. Each action and pose clearly depicts the movements of real cats. Often described as “thick lined,” the book’s drawings are reminiscent of earlier book classics such as Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, or Marshmallow by Clare Turley Newberry.
Recommended for children ages 2 and up, Kitten’s First Full Moon, is sure to delight its readers from the simple, interest-grabbing beginning to the satisfyingly happy ending. It is also available in Spanish.
REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS
“Simply charming.” (Kirkus Starred Review, Feb. 2004)
“Kitten's First Full Moon shares the flavor of many children's books from those faraway days.” (The New York Times, May 2004)
“Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit.” (School Library Journal Starred Review, 2004)
Caldecott Medal (2005)
Charlotte Zolotow Award (2005)
ALA Notable Children’s Book for Young Readers (2002)
Starred Review in Booklist (2004)
No. 25 in School Library Journal’s Top 100 Picture Books (June 2012)
CONNECTIONS
Use this book in a lesson for young children on shapes – circles!
Use this book for a lesson on comparing day and night.
Use on the 100th day of school. The inside front and back covers have 100 moons!
Other books for children about viewing and enjoying the moon
--Peter and the Moon by Alice Briere-Haquet
--La Luna by Enrico Casarosa
--Moonlight by Helen V. Griffith
--Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Other books for children about curious and interesting cats
--Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
--The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
--Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
Visit http://www.kevinhenkes.com/
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