KITTEN'S FIRST FULL MOON by Kevin Henkes

1. Bibliography

Henkes, Kevin. 2004. Kitten's First Full Moon. New York, New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 9780060588298

2. Plot Summary

It is Kitten's first full moon and she mistakes the unfamiliar round moon for a yummy bowl of milk. In pursuit of this giant bowl of milk Kitten tries several humorous schemes and adventures to reach the ever out of reach moon.  After a final soggy failure, a sad and hungry Kitten returns home to discover a nice bowl of milk waiting for her on the porch. Kitten returns home to learn what we all must learn, sometimes what we long for is under our nose all along.

3. Critical Analysis

Henkes uses simple language and engaging art work to capture the imagination of young readers and teach them the valuable lesson that we don't always need to roam far from home to find what we need. The text of the story reflects the voice of an understanding narrator sharing with the audience Kitten's perception of her experience. The text is clearly sympathetic to Kitten's plight, often repeating the refrain, “Poor Kitten!” However, Henkes' delightful illustrations aren't as biased.

Henkes' monochromatic illustrations show the humorous reality of Kitten's ill fated pursuit. These simple and honest illustrations add depth and humor to the text, helping readers to gain insight into the reality of Kitten's experience. One such example is the telling visual revelation about the true nature of Kitten's marvelous discovery of a second, bigger bowl of milk. While Kitten is convinced she has found another bowl of milk and the narrator rejoices in her discover, the reader can plainly see in the adjacent illustration that her discovery is really a reflection of the moon in the pond. Tongue in cheek pairings of text and illustration such as this are found throughout the book, creating a marvelously humorous tone to Kitten's tale. 

Henkes' skill as a storyteller is beautifully displayed in this simple story of Kitten as she learns about longing, disappointment, and home during her first full moon.

4. Awards Won and Review Excerpt(s)

2005 Caldecott Medal for Illustrations

School Library Journal Best Book

New York Times Best Illustrated Book

Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books)

ALA Notable Children's Book

Texas 2X2 Reading List

Charlotte Zolotow Award

Book Sense Pick

School Library Journal: “An irresistible offering from the multifaceted Henkes.”

Starred Review in Booklist: “Henkes creates another winner in this simple, charming, story about a naive little kitten...”

Kirkus Reviews: “...artful in its gracelessness and naivete, just like kitten. Simply charming.”

5. Connections

*Just as Kitten saw something familiar in the world of nature when she mistook the full moon for a bowl of milk, other things in nature can resemble common objects we use in our daily lives. Take a walk outside and look at the objects around you. Use your imagination and try to see what else objects in nature could be, for example, shortly mowed grass could look like carpet, or a flower flipped upside-down could look like a beautiful doll skirt. See how many imaginative connections you can make. Record your discoveries in a journal or on a piece of paper.

*Have a discussion about longing. Talk about how your experience relates to Kitten's experience of wanting a big bowl of milk. What does it feel like to really want a thing?  What have you done to gain it?  Was the effort worth the reward?

*Other books by Kevin Henkes:

Owen. ISBN 0439686180

A Good Day. ISBN 006114018X

Little White Rabbit. ISBN 0062006428

Chrysanthemum. ISBN 0061119741

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. ISBN 1591123488

*Other books about mistaken identity:

Eastman, P.D. Are You My Mother?. ISBN 0375984437

Newman, Jeff. Hippo! No, Rhino!. ISBN 9780316155731