Kitten’s First Full Moon
by Kevin Henkes
2005 Caldecott Medal winner
2005 Caldecott Medal winner
Published by Greenwillow Books (2005)
ISBN 9780060588281
Audience: PreSchool-K
ISBN 9780060588281
Audience: PreSchool-K
Tale
Kitten seems hungry as she views the full moon in the sky to be a big bowl full of delicious milk. She goes through a lot trying to reach the big bowl; can she get it?
Thoughts
This 2005 Caldecott Medal winner presents a simple tale, easily followed by the youngest readers. The black and white drawings are very detailed, done with clean lines. Each illustration focuses only on the main event, which makes them very supportive of the plot, character, and setting.
About the author
He always enjoyed drawing, and became a published author and illustrator at nineteen years old. His first published work was 1981’s All Alone. That was just the beginning of a great career writing picture books and novels.
To find out more about his work go to http://www.kevinhenkes.com/default.asp
Review
SLJ Reviews 2004 April
Website: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
"PreS-K-An irresistible offering from the multifaceted Henkes. The spare and suspense-filled story concerns a kitten that mistakes the moon for a bowl of milk. When she opens her mouth to lick the treat, she ends up with a bug on her tongue. Next, she launches herself into the air, paws reaching out for the object of her desire, only to tumble down the stairs, "bumping her nose and banging her ear and pinching her tail. Poor Kitten." Again and again, the feline's persistent attempts to reach her goal lead to pain, frustration, and exhaustion. Repetitive phrases introduce each sequence of desire, action, and consequence, until the animal's instincts lead her home to a satisfying resolution. Done in a charcoal and cream-colored palette, the understated illustrations feature thick black outlines, pleasing curves, and swiftly changing expressions that are full of nuance. The rhythmic text and delightful artwork ensure storytime success. Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit. Pair this tale with Frank Asch's classic Moongame (S & S, 1987) and Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's The Sun, the Moon and the Stars (Houghton, 2003) for nocturnal celebrations.-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information."
Website: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
"PreS-K-An irresistible offering from the multifaceted Henkes. The spare and suspense-filled story concerns a kitten that mistakes the moon for a bowl of milk. When she opens her mouth to lick the treat, she ends up with a bug on her tongue. Next, she launches herself into the air, paws reaching out for the object of her desire, only to tumble down the stairs, "bumping her nose and banging her ear and pinching her tail. Poor Kitten." Again and again, the feline's persistent attempts to reach her goal lead to pain, frustration, and exhaustion. Repetitive phrases introduce each sequence of desire, action, and consequence, until the animal's instincts lead her home to a satisfying resolution. Done in a charcoal and cream-colored palette, the understated illustrations feature thick black outlines, pleasing curves, and swiftly changing expressions that are full of nuance. The rhythmic text and delightful artwork ensure storytime success. Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit. Pair this tale with Frank Asch's classic Moongame (S & S, 1987) and Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's The Sun, the Moon and the Stars (Houghton, 2003) for nocturnal celebrations.-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information."
Activities
Ask the children about the shapes of the moon. Showing them paper cutouts with these shapes, ask the children what they think the shapes look like. Ask them if they can think about other things that can be related to the moon’s shape.
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