Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Henkes, Kevin. 2004. Kitten’s First Full Moon. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

ISBN 0060588284

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The kitten sees her first full moon but thinks it is a bowl of milk.  Throughout the book, the kitten tries many ways to get the bowl of milk in the sky but fails since the moon is not a bowl of milk.   In the end, the tired, hungry kitten goes back home and finds a large bowl of milk for her on the porch. 

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kevin Henkes’ descriptive writing creates a picture of a curious, playful kitten on an adventure in the night.   The excellent use of simple descriptive words helps you imagine the kitten discovering the night world for the first time.  The text print is dark and bold which makes it easy for a child to read.    The repetition of the phrase, “Poor Kitten” and the repetition of “Still, there was the little bowl of milk, just waiting” make the writing have almost a poetic rhythm.  The repetition is not consistent through the book so that there is a nice balance of repetition and surprise.   This almost seems to mirror the Kitten’s playful adventures with the moon.   The book cleverly ends with “Lucky Kitten” which is the opposite of the “Poor Kitten” repeated through the book.  

The illustrations by Kevin Henkes are in black and white to make it look like night and maximize the contrast of the white moon.   He used gouache and colored pencils to make the illustrations.  Most notable are the many expressions of the kitten throughout the book.  In almost every picture, the kitten has a different expression on her face which makes her personality come to life.   The layout of the illustrations changes throughout the book from print on one side to print and picture on the same page to even comic strip like boxes depicting the actions of the kitten.   I highly recommend that you read this book.  Both young and old will enjoy reading it! 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Kirkus Review “Simply charming.”

Caldecott Medal Winner (2005) "Kitten's frustration and eventual triumph--emotions familiar to young children--find artistic expression in a meticulously crafted book with classic appeal." -Caldecott Award Chair Betsy Hearne.

Children’s Notable Book (2005)

School Library Journal Review (April 2, 2005)

5. CONNECTIONS

*Have students come up with descriptive words to describe the facial expressions of the kitten throughout the book.    

 *Other books for children about cats:
O'Hair, Margaret.  My Kitten.  ISBN 0761458115
Mora, Pat.  Here, Kitty, Kitty! Ven, Gatita, Ven!. ISBN 0761458115
Gág, Wanda.  Millions of Cats. ISBN 0399233156

0761458115