Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten’s First Full Moon

Bibliography

Henkes, Kevin. 2004. KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON Ill. by Kevin Henkes New York, NY: Harper Collins Publisher. ISBN 006588284

Plot Summary

Kitten, of Kitten’s First Full Moon, is confused. The moon looks like a bowl of milk, but as she attempts to reach it through a game of chase and batting at it with no avail. The kitten spots a reflection in a pond, and quickly finds out that it is not a bowl of milk. However the story has a happy ending when the kitten returns home and finds a bowl of milk on the front porch.

The moral of this story is to never give up.

Critical Analysis

Kevin Henkes uses a kitten to express ingenuity and curiosity that is not only found in children, but all young animals. He quickly establishes a target that has been the subject of interest for centuries, what is the moon made of, what does the moon taste like, why can you only see it at night. This book is a creative way to teach children about the moon and how to explore their curiosities.

The author is also the illustrator of this book and uses simple black and white illustrations to convey the story and message.

Review Excerpts

Caldecott Medal Winners

New York Times: Children’s Books: Cat and Mouse Games

School Library Journal:  “Kitten has clawed her way up the charts”

Top 100 Picture books- School Library Journal

Connections

-          Does a kangaroo have a mother, too? By Eric Carle. ISBN: 0060287675

-          One pup’s up. By Marsha Wilson Chall. ISBN: 9781416979609 

-          Books about the moon

-          Books about baby animals

-          Other Caldecott Medal Winner

o   The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader

o   If I ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss

-          Other books by Kevin Henkes

o   Lily’s Purple Purse. ISBN: 0688128971

o   Chrysanthemum. ISBN: 0688096999