Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Greenwillow Books, New York, 2004.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-06-058828-4.

Poor little kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk. Her persistent attempts to reach it result in a taste of firefly, an ouchy tumble, an fruitless exhausting run, a scary tree perch and a dunk in the pond. After each failed exertion, "Still, there was the little bowl of milk, just waiting." Kitten finally ambles home, "wet and sad and tired and hungry," to find a real bowl of milk on the porch.

Henkes uses black pencils and goache to recreate the nighttime setting with heavy outlines delineating the gray, shadowed forms illuminated by the moon. Reminiscent of Frank Asch's Moonbear series.

Perfect for toddler / preschool story hour. The format is large and the illustrations clearly outlined with large black text. Predictably repetitive and simple enough vocabulary for use as an early reader.

• Caldecott Medal Winner
• Bulletin Blue Ribbon
• Charlotte Zolotow Award
• ALA Notable Children’s Book
• Texas 2X2 Reading List
• Book Sense Pick

The Cat Barked? by Lydia Monks

Dial Books for Young Readers, New York, 1999.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-8037-2338-5.

Longing to be something you're not is a common theme among humans, and evidently, among cats as well, according to Monks. When a marmalade cat observes her housemate, a Scottie, living the good life, the cat jealously recounts a list of the wonderful things about dogdom. Her spiky-haired owner reminds it of the serious liabilities of being a dog and conversely, of the great advantages of being feline. Mischievous watercolors interspersed with photo collage create a perky background to Monks' simply rhyme.

Cute addition to any toddler storytime about cats and dogs. Take a vote on who would like to be a cat or a dog.

Learning to consider and list attributes of an animal, object, or situation in order to make judgments about them. Early reader with simple, well-spaced text.

Mama Cat Has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming

Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1998.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-8050-5745-5

Mama Cat has three kittens. Fluffy and Skinny carefully copy everything that Mama does. Boris naps. When Mama Cat finally curls up to nap with Fluffy and Skinny, Boris casually "stretches, yawns, washes his paws, and POUNCES on Fluffy, Skinny, and Mama Cat. Then Boris naps."

Fleming once again utilizes her unique textile and stencil technique to create brightly-colored, textured highlights of the cats outside in the natural world. Varying trios of insects and bugs adorn each page, as well as a curious mouse who peeks out from numerous hiding places along the way.

A lovely, whimsical read for toddler storytime about cats. The short refrain, "Boris naps", at the end of each kitty activity is easily picked up by the audience. Searching for the mouse and other creatures makes a good one-on-one time with a parent or caregiver.

Short sentences and very large text assist with print awareness and letter knowledge.

The Best Children's Books of the Year, 1999
Books to Read Aloud to Children of All Ages, 2003
Capitol Choices, 1998
Parenting Magazine's Reading Magic Awards, 1998
School Library Journal Starred Book Review, 1998
Charlotte Zolotow Award, Highly Commended, 1999
Great Lakes' Great Books Award Winner 2001
Michigan Reader's Choice Award, Nominee, 2001

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea by Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated by Arthur Howard. Harcourt Children's Books, San Diego, 1994.
Hardcover edition, 44 pages, ISBN 978-0152562557.

Stories for small children about elderly people other than their grandparents are somewhat lacking in number, but are essential in forming an understanding of social relationships. Rylant's wry observations about old age bring a gentle humor and poignant quality to this first in a series story about the meeting of new friends, countering prevailing cultural preferences for youth and beauty, and celebrating the value of true friendship.

Mr. Putter is lonely. He has much to offer, but no one to share it with. He wants a cat. Not a kitten, but a cat. " 'No one wants cats, sir,' said the pet store lady. 'They are not cute. They are not peppy.' Mr. Putter himself had not been cute and peppy for a very long time." He meets an old yellow cat at the animal shelter. "Its bones creaked, its fur was thinning, and it seemed a little deaf. Mr Putter creaked, his hair was thinning, and he was a little deaf, too.... And that is how their life began." Mr. Putter and Tabby become inseparable friends, sharing all the best things in life together and enjoying "the most perfect company of all--each other."

The book is a transitional reader divided into three short chapters with lots of white space around Howard's relaxed, slightly rumpled drawings highlighted with watercolor. Although the reading level is clearly for primary grades, the story can be shared with preschoolers in a smaller group. On an individual level, it makes for excellent discussion about older people and the roles which they play in our lives.

Good for practicing narrative skills.

Have You Seen My Cat? by Eric Carle

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Children, New York, 1991.
Hardcover edition, 28 pages, ISBN 978-0887080548.

Carle's signature watercolor collages serve as the focal point of a small boy's search for his missing cat. The end papers depict eight types of cats from the most familiar lion to exotic subspecies such as puma and jaguar. On each double page spread, the boy repeats his simple query, "Have you seen my cat?". The responder, in a unique cultural setting and dressed in appropriate garb, merely points into the distance. On the following page, is a cat indigenous to that setting. The boy replies, "That is not my cat!" After ostensibly traveling around the world, the boy finally locates his cat with a tumble of kittens around her, the unspoken reason for her disappearance being giving birth. "This is my cat!"

This makes a fun read at a toddler storytime about cats or animals. Paint brightly colored exotic cat pictures a la Carle.

Aids in vocabulary building by identifying different types of cats, and promotes discussion of the geographical and cultural settings where they live. Narrative skills can be enhanced by having a child tell the "untold" story hinted at by the pictures. Due to the limited, repetitive nature of the text, beginning readers can easily memorize and develop sight word knowledge, and "read" the entire book themselves.

Grand Prix des Treize selection, 1973.