Kitten's First Full Moon
illustrated and written by Kevin Henkes, and published by Greenwillow Books/HarperCollinsPublishers
About
91´«Ã½
Henkes employs boldly outlined organic shapes and shades of black, white and gray with rose undertones on creamy paper to tell a simple story of a kitten who mistakes the moon for a bowl of milk. The moon, the flowers, the fireflies' lights and the kitten's eyes create a comforting circle motif. The gouache and colored pencil illustrations project a varied page design that rhythmically paces the spare text.
"Thoughtful design, from the front jacket with reflective silver letters to the final image, sustains a completely satisfying read-aloud experience," said Caldecott Award Chair Betsy Hearne. "Kitten's frustration and eventual triumph--emotions familiar to young children--find artistic expression in a meticulously crafted book with classic appeal."