Book Review of KITTEN'S FIRST FULL MOON

Bibliography:

Henkes, Kevin. 2004. Kitten’s First Full Moon. Ill. by Kevin Henkes. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0060588284


Plot Summary:

In Kitten’s First Full Moon, kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk and makes several unsuccessful attempts to reach the bowl. After eating a bug, chasing the moon, climbing a tall tree, and falling into a pond, kitten gives up and returns home to find a large bowl of milk waiting for her.


Critical Analysis:

Kevin Henke’s Kitten’s First Full Moon is sure to become a classic. The simple, sweet story of a kitten determined to drink from the bowl of milk in the sky is written in a “musical” style similar to a song with its verses and refrain. Henkes’ “verses” involve the description of kitten’s various attempts to reach the milk and the resulting failures. Each incident is followed by the refrain, “Poor kitten! Still, there was the little bowl of milk, just waiting.” The timing of the writing creates a rhythm, and the repetition of these two phrases allows readers to actively participate in the story. Given the fact that young children can relate to kitten’s quest for the object she desire, Henkes’ use of rhythmic, action-filled writing and his accompanying illustrations draws readers in to the story to discover for themselves whether or not kitten succeeds.

Despite the musical quality of the writing, Henke’s illustrations are integral to the story, depicting the struggles that kitten faces as she attempts to reach the bowl. Each of the pictures focuses on the kitten in the moon-filled night, so the reader is aware of exactly what kitten is feeling and doing throughout the story. For instance, when kitten “ran to the tallest tree she could find, and she climbed and climbed and climbed to the very top”, Henke’s artwork shows how hard kitten is working to the climb the tree. Throughout the story, the reader can easily see kitten’s excitement, intensity, fear, disappointment, and ultimate satisfaction accurately in a manner that does not overpower the observer with details, but provides just the right amount of information to create a loveable character.

At first glance the illustrations appear to be black and white, but the title page reveals that the artwork was created using gouache and colored pencil. The use of this artistic media creates the perfect setting for the story. Instead of a black as night background, the gouache leads a subtle mixture of gray and white which would be evident on a night lit by a full moon. This allows readers to experience the night for themselves while, at the same time, keeping the focus on the two main players in the story – the kitten and the moon. Henke’s use of the long, horizontal strips to depict kitten’s chasing the moon and vertical columns to show kitten’s climb up a tree add to development of the story. The reader is taken along on the chase and the climb and is caught up in kitten’s ultimate goal, hoping for success but knowing that it is not possible. Thus, when a dejected kitten returns home to find a real bowl of milk awaiting her, the reader feels a sense of joy for this loveable feline. It is no wonder that this book received the Caldecott Award in 2005 for the simple, expressive artwork introduces a story that will become a favorite with children everywhere.


Review Excerpts:

Horn Book Guide (October 2004) - “The black-and-white forms in this sweet story about a kitten who thinks the full moon is a bowl of milk are larger and more solid-looking than Henkes' usual work. The kitten, whose white fur glows against the charcoal-gray sky, is sprightly and expressive as she fails repeatedly ("Poor Kitten!") to get at that milk. The rhythmic, action-oriented text is just right for small children.”

School Library Journal (April 2004) – “An irresistible offering from the multifaceted Henkes. . . Done in a charcoal and cream-colored palette, the understated illustrations feature thick black outlines, pleasing curves, and swiftly changing expressions that are full of nuance. The rhythmic text and delightful artwork ensure storytime success. Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit.”

Booklist (February 2004) – “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. . . 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. . .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.”

Awards Received:

Winner, Caldecott Medal, 2005
Winner, American Library Association Notable Books for Children, 2005
Winner, Charlotte Zolotow Award, 2005
Winner, Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award 2005


Connections:

Read Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle (ISBN 0887081770). Discuss the phases of the moon. Have children keep a chart for a month to study the different phases.

Create a felt board for this story. Have the children manipulate the felt pieces to tell the story as you read it. Then have the children use the pieces to retell the story.

Read If You Decide to Go to the Moon. Have children plan for a trip to the moon, deciding on what they would pack, what they would do, who they would bring along, etc. Write a story about this adventure.

Read other books about the moon:

Moongame by Frank Asch (ISBN 0689835183)

Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch (ISBN 0689835442)

I Took the Moon for a Walk by Carolyn Curtis (ISBN 0887081770)

If You Decide to go to the Moon by Faith Mcnulty (ISBN 0590483595)