Kitten's First Full Moon

Bibliographic Data:
Henkes, Kevin. 2004. Kitten's First Full Moon. New York: Greenwillow Books.
ISBN 0060588292

Summary:
Kitten is young and naive about the world surrounding her.  After seeing her first full moon, which she mistakes as a large bowl of milk, she sets off to get a sip.  She encounters many obstacles along the way.  After each problem there is the phrase, "There was the little bowl of milk, just waiting."  Finally Kitten makes her way home tired and defeated, only to find a bowl of milk "just waiting for her."

Critical Analysis:
Kevin Henkes' journey of a little kitten could serve as inspiration to younger children.  The world can be a big place filled with scary things, but you can not be afraid to explore and go after what you want.  Mr. Henkes also shows that there will be a safe place to come to at the end of a hard day.  The simple pictures help younger children to process the story and does not overload the senses with color and busy pictures. 

Awards and Review Excerpt:
2005 Caldecott Medal
Notable Children's Books: 2005
Booklist Editor's Choice: Books for Youth, 2004
BOOKLIST review: "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."

Connections:
Teacher could have students think of a different animal and rewrite the story.
Students could write about something they desire and the steps they would go through to get that object.