Book Review: Kitten’s First Full Moon

Module 1

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Henkes, Kevin. Kitten’s First Full Moon. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2004.

ISBN 978-0-06-058828-1

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In this picture book, Kevin Henkes tells the story of Kitten seeing a full moon for the very first time. Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk in the sky and desperately tries to reach the bowl. After failing attempts at reaching the milk end with bugs in the mouth, tumbling off of the porch, and being drenched in the pond, Kitten returns home to find a bowl of milk on the porch, waiting just for her.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Henkes evokes sympathy for Kitten through her mishaps and the repetition of the phrase “Poor Kitten!” The reader develops empathy for Kitten as she perseveres after a goal that the reader knows cannot be reached. Readers feel compassion for Kitten while also finding her plight humorous. Although Kitten fails to reach her goal, Henkes does not leave with an unhappy ending and in the end, Kitten is no longer “Poor Kitten!” but “Lucky Kitten!”

The text is very simple and is supported with the illustrations. Henkes created the black and white illustrations with gouache and colored pencils. The illustrations range in format from full page, half page, quarter page, and fifth of a page. On many pages, the illustrations are presented in sequences, and allow the reader to view the various steps that Kitten may take in reaching her goal. The lack of color in the illustrations allows the reader to focus on the Kitten’s movements and emotions and support the message of the text. The use of black and white also helps to emphasize the fact that the story takes place at night.

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

The Caldecott Medal

The New York Times: “His writing has a concise wit that is rare in children’s books….”

Booklist: “Kitten's frustration and eventual triumph—emotions familiar to young children—find artistic expression in a meticulously crafted book with classic appeal.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Related Books containing characters that persevere through difficulties:

Bruel, Nick. POOR PUPPY. ISBN 9781596432703

Henkes, Kevin. A GOOD DAY. ISBN 9780061140181

*Lead a discussion with the students about a particular goal that they had, but found it very difficult to reach. Discuss reasons why they should persevere and how they should know whether to continue pressing on or modifying their goal.

*Allow students to research the following topic: What is a full moon, what creates it, and how long does it last?