Kitten’s First Full Moon, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes was published on March 2, 2004. In 2005, the book became a Caldecott Medal winner for the astonishing illustrations. The Caldecott Award Chair Betsy Hearne mentions that the “thoughtful design, from the front jacket with reflective silver letters to the final image, sustains a completely satisfying read- aloud experience” (Caldecott Medal and Honor Books). A little persistence can make those who are small conquer big things. This is what happens in Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. The author supports the idea of persevering through illustrations, tone, and settings. The reader flips each page, as they follow the kitten who believes the full moon is a bowl of milk.
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The kitten then climbs a tree in the next scene in order to reach the bowl of milk (moon). The author widens the kittens eyes to show a fear of height once she reaches the top of the tree. But then, the kitten notices that in the pond there was “another bowl of milk, and it was bigger” (). So, the kitten darts down the tree and jumps with “all her might,” but the kitten does not get any milk. The illustrator creates movement through the ripples of water and the water dripping down the kitten’s ear. The emotion on this page is also emphasized by the direction of the kitten’s eyebrows, nose, and paws --- each example displays defeat. This defeat sent kitten walking back home, and “there was a big great bowl of milk on the porch.” The illustrator uses a sequence of illustrations to demonstrate the direction and journey the kitten took to arrive home. The movement in the illustration continue as the kitten smiles in the direction of the bowl of milk. The author blends the use of simplistic colors and direction to strengthen a persistent …show more content…
The author’s focus is primarily on the kitten and the actions the kitten takes to achieve her goal. The background illustrations are simplistic, but indicate a sense of emptiness and fear. Through the lit porch light, fireflies, and moon there is a sense of security. The author uses the setting to his advantage by placing the moon in the landscape, showing distance through the field. The chase for milk is depicted as a difficult journey for a small kitten. Through each scene the author places the kitten in a new dark settings to show that through failure, persistence is key. The kitten is finding new ways to get to the bowl of milk in the sky each time. After each failed attempt, the author places the kitten and the moon, as the kitten expresses frustration. The kitten continues to chase the bowl of the milk until she is wet, cold, tired and hungry. And at the end the kitten walks back home where there is a lit porch, moon, and bowl of milk waiting just for
The kitten then climbs a tree in the next scene in order to reach the bowl of milk (moon). The author widens the kittens eyes to show a fear of height once she reaches the top of the tree. But then, the kitten notices that in the pond there was “another bowl of milk, and it was bigger” (). So, the kitten darts down the tree and jumps with “all her might,” but the kitten does not get any milk. The illustrator creates movement through the ripples of water and the water dripping down the kitten’s ear. The emotion on this page is also emphasized by the direction of the kitten’s eyebrows, nose, and paws --- each example displays defeat. This defeat sent kitten walking back home, and “there was a big great bowl of milk on the porch.” The illustrator uses a sequence of illustrations to demonstrate the direction and journey the kitten took to arrive home. The movement in the illustration continue as the kitten smiles in the direction of the bowl of milk. The author blends the use of simplistic colors and direction to strengthen a persistent …show more content…
The author’s focus is primarily on the kitten and the actions the kitten takes to achieve her goal. The background illustrations are simplistic, but indicate a sense of emptiness and fear. Through the lit porch light, fireflies, and moon there is a sense of security. The author uses the setting to his advantage by placing the moon in the landscape, showing distance through the field. The chase for milk is depicted as a difficult journey for a small kitten. Through each scene the author places the kitten in a new dark settings to show that through failure, persistence is key. The kitten is finding new ways to get to the bowl of milk in the sky each time. After each failed attempt, the author places the kitten and the moon, as the kitten expresses frustration. The kitten continues to chase the bowl of the milk until she is wet, cold, tired and hungry. And at the end the kitten walks back home where there is a lit porch, moon, and bowl of milk waiting just for