Genre 1- Caldecott Award

Kevin Henkes, Kitten’s First Full Moon (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2004) 1-40

ISBN 13: 978-0060588281

PLOT SUMMARY

Henkes describes to the reader a comedic story of a little kitten who desperately wants the illusive bowl of milk which readers come to understand is really the moon. The kitten finds itself in silly situations like eating a bug while trying to enjoy that big bowl of milk, or pinching its tail! After many sticky situations, the kitten returns home to find that while searching for that big bowl of ‘milk’ in the sky, there was a bowl of milk left for the kitten at home.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kevin Henkes blows the reader away with his simplistic and very intricate black and white illustrations. The reader can easily place itself in the story because the illustrations are so beautiful. There isn’t a question in the readers mind that the story takes place at night and that there is a beautiful moonlit glow on each page. This story keeps the reader guessing and entertain and is a very good example of a well thought out and wonderfully illustrated picture book.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

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

* Booklist: “Henkes creates another winner in this simple, charming story…’

* Awards Include:Publishers Weekly Best Book, New York Times Best Illustrated Book, Caldecott Medal, School Library Journal Best Book, New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing", ALA Notable Children’s Book

CONNECTIONS

* Other books to supplement: Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert

Shapes Shapes Shapes by Tana Hoban

Mooncake by Frank Asch

Happy Birthday Moon by Frank Asch

Papa, Please Get Me the Moon by Eric Carle

Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! I’m Off to the Moon by Dan Yaccarino

*Kiiten’s First Full Moon is a fun resource for writing or journaling. Students could document a time when they were fooled by something or when the found there way home. The teacher could use a graphic organizer to help students organize their work.