Module 3, Book1: Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten's First Full Moon

by Kevin Henkes

Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten's first full moon. Greenwillow Books.

Will Kitten get milk?

Summary:

Henkes's adorable story is about a little kitten who mistakes the moon for a bowl of milk.  She tries to reach the elusive bowl throughout the story with a satisfying resolution.   

Impressions:

The cover of this book is eye-catchingly adorable.  My first thought before even opening this book was that children would gravitate to it because kids love puppies and kittens.  upon closer inspection, the simple, fluid language, charming black and white illustrations, and cute kitten antics make this book a winner.  It brings to mind books about the moon, sky, and stars and their fanciful feel.  

Reviews:

From Booklist (starred review):

PreS. Henkes creates another winner in this simple, charming story about a naive little kitten who mistakes a round, shining moon for a bowl of milk. Kitten laps at the sky's creamy circle, but she is surprised when she tastes bugs instead of milk. Then she chases the milk-bowl moon through the garden and field to the pond, where she climbs a tree, discovers another milk bowl shining in the water, and dives in after it. Finally, "wet and sad and tired and hungry,"she returns home to find, at last, a true bowl of milk, out of the sky and on the porch, waiting for her. 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. Working in bold black lines and the silvery palette of moonlight, he creates a lovable, expressive character in the determined kitten, and his dramatic contrasts of light and dark capture the excitement of a nighttime adventure. Wise preschoolers may chuckle at the kitten's folly, but they'll also recognize the mysterious power of moonlight to transform the familiar world of daytime into something altogether new.

Citation: Engberg, G. (2004). Kitten's first full moon. Booklist, 100(12), 1056. 

From Horn Book:

Henkes takes a break from his signature mice — and from illustrating in color — to tell this sweet story about a kitten who thinks the full moon is a bowl of milk. The black-and-white forms, with subtle gradations of gray, are larger and more solid-looking than Henkes's usual work, with less interior line. Nevertheless, the kitten, whose white fur glows against the charcoal-gray sky like the moon she desires, is sprightly and expressive as she fails repeatedly ("Poor Kitten!") to get at that milk. Small children, for whom the rhythmic, action-oriented text is just right, will appreciate the gentle slapstick of thekitten getting a firefly on her tongue when she tries to lick the moon and getting drenched in the pond when she tries to drink the moon's reflection. Anyone who has ever watched a cat spasmodically pounce and chase for no apparent reason will enjoy the imaginative, unpretentiously poetic method Henkes reads into this madness.

Citation: Heppermann, C. (2004). Kitten's first full moon. Horn Book, 80(3), 1056. 314-315. 

Library Activity:

There are several avenues to take to connect young children to this story.  Beginning a temporary collection of realia for display in the library of cat/kitten statues, toys, and stuffed animals on loan from students is one way to connect them to the power of a likable character.  

Writers often use the moon to create a certain mood in a story, whether it be playful, mysterious, or somber.  Sharing other books with an moon theme, such as Owl Moon, will expose young children to universal ideas and themes that all people share.