Kitten's First Full Moon

A. Bibliography

Henkes, Kevin. 2004. KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON. USA: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0-06-058829-2

B.Summary

When Kitten first sees the full moon she mistakes it for a bowl of milk. Going on an adventure trying to reach it, she ends up tired, wet, sad, and hungry. Luckily when she returns home there is a great big bowl of milk on the porch waiting for her.

C.Critical Analysis

Henkes uses simple but descriptive sentences to lead readers on an adventure with Kitten. Using predictive text such as the line, “Still, there was the little bowl of milk, just waiting.” and the phrase, “Poor Kitten!”, students will be able to join in a choral read easily if desired. As kitten goes over hurdle after hurdle trying to get to the bowl of milk, she teaches students to never give up, even if something seems out of reach. When Kitten finally arrives home wet, sad, tired, and hungry to find a bowl of milk waiting just for her, it show students that persistence pays off.

Henkes uses black and white illustrations framed in a square trim and bold sans serif font. This differs from Henkes normal style which uses lots of color and thin lines. The black and white illustrations allowed for the main characters, Kitten and the Moon, to stand out against the black night.


D.Awards and Review Excerpts


- AWARDS -

*Book Sense Book of the Year Award, 2005 Honor Book Children's Illustrated United States

*Books of the Year, 2004 Winner Ages 2 to 4 United States

*Borders Original Voices Award, 2004 Finalist Picture Books United States

*Charlotte Zolotow Award, 2005 Winner United States

*Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award, 2005 Winner United States

*New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, 2004 Winner United States

*Parents' Choice Award, 2004 Gold Picture Books United States

*Randolph Caldecott Medal, 2005 Winner United States

*White Ravens Award, 2005 Winner United States International

- REVIEW EXCERPTS -

BOOKLIST review: “Henkes' text, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's work in the elemental words, rhythms, and appealing sounds, tells a warm, humorous story that's beautifully extended in his shimmering, gray-toned artwork.”

KIRKUS review: “The coarse but masterfully controlled line with heavy black outlines contains vigor and exuberance, creating a spontaneous feeling.”

E.Connections

*Students can write their own adventure story that involves the main character chasing after an object that cannot be reached (ex: a dog chasing the sun which he thinks is a ball; a bird chasing a plane which he thinks is another bird).

*Author study on Kevin Henkes where students can compare and contrast other books by Henkes such as Chrysanthemum, Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse, A Good Day, My Garden, and Bird Lake Moon (depending on the age of the students).

*Connect to science by talking about the moon and other objects found in the sky, both at night and during the day.