Kitten's Summer

June 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 1-As rain begins to fall, Kitten dashes for home, but the journey is more important than the destination. Using rhyming couplets, the text tracks her progress and the critters she passes by. For example, "Robin shelters, /Squirrel scrambles./Chipmunk skitters, Raccoon ambles." and "Loon paddles, Baby rides./Fox huddles, Mouse hides." But it's the illustrations that really tell the story. Fernandes's clay, acrylic paint, and mixed-media collage artwork creates a unique look for the forest and its denizens. There is a tremendous amount of detail and charm in these realistic vignettes. In many of the pictures, all that is visible is the feline's tail as she races for home. This makes for a fun "spot-the-kitten" game to incorporate into the reading. The variety of animals and scenes from forest to farm will be greatly appreciated as Kitten makes her way to the cozy warmth of her own bed. Perfect for one-on-one or small-group sharing.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2011
"Rain falls, / Kitten dashes. / Rabbit races, / Turtle splashes." As Kitten runs home, she passes by various forest animals also seeking shelter from the rain. The double-page mixed-media collages featuring clay and acrylic paint are impressive. Readers will enjoy seeing their animal friends in their natural habitats; the simple rhyming text would work well with both preschoolers and beginning readers.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)