Customer Reviews

A Kitten Tale

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Caldecott Medal Winner (My Friend Rabbit), Eric Rohmann, has created another charming picture book that shows respect for a child's fear of the unknown, while also illustrating the power of a positive attitude.

There are four little kittens who have never seen snow. Three of them spend Spring, Summer and Fall worrying about how cold and wet snow will make everything. The fourth kitten just keeps saying, "I can't wait." The fourth kitten's attitude is so wonderful...

Read the rest of this and other reviews on my site.

It isn't often that I find a children's book through the "Wall Street Journal". Last January, this delightful book was described amidst the stock prices and financial news.

"Once there were four kittens who had never heard of snow." Eric Rohmann's lovely illustration shows three kittens looking at a fourth deep in a mailbox. Only his butt is showing, and the mail is falling like snow.

One kitten is an adventurer who embraces the new; the other three are cautious and apprehensive.

Falling postcards show winter scenes:

"Snow scares me!"
"When winter comes, the snow will fall and fall and we'll be cold!"
"Cold to the tips of our tails!"
The contrarian kitten says: "I can't wait."

The seasons pass, three kittens fret about snow. The fourth lives in happy anticipation.

Snow arrives. Three kittens hide beneath carpets and furniture; one kitten frolics. The story ends happily for all four: "I can't wait!"

The pictures enhance this charmer; kids between three and five will be enchanted. I suspect a few hard headed traders will be too. I sure was.

Robert C. Ross 2008

As with his previous books, the author/illustrator has put a strong visual signature on this work, which is simple without being simplistic.

I had the pleasure of meeting him before this was published during a workshop, and he shared his sketches and the storyline...He was very gracious, and has a genuine appreciation for the worldview of children.

My 3 year-old, by the way, loved reading this book...she especially enjoyed finding all the kittens on each page.

Two-time Caldecott winner Eric Rohmann is a rising star in children's literature. Yet somehow, we haven't read his other books. (My Friend Rabbit is first on the list.)

Initially, I was cool to A Kitten Tale. The illustrations still don't totally hit the sweet spot for me. But, as with Bonny Becker's A Visitor for Bear (coincidentally published the same year: 2008), this story grew on me. I am particularly enamored of the star--that fourth kitten--and his sustained excitement through the seasons, despite 3-to-1 detractors.

This is a case of youngsters knowing better than their elders, since my kids liked this from the start. It's a commendable tale which offers useful lessons in anticipation as well as peer (if feline) pressure, and is best enjoyed with spirited, out-loud reading.

I bought this book after my little one received "My friend Rabbit" as a gift. LOVED it. Story is simple and easy to understand for little kids. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. My baby loves this book - I can tell by the look on her face and very vocal expressions that something in these 2 books interest her much more than other books I read to her. I can only guess that the contrast, line quality, composition and colors all make up for a very exciting visual. She doesn't understand the story yet - but I find it to be quite cute. I hope to read this book with her for many years to come.

This is a great story about a little kitten who can't wait for it to snow, even though its siblings all worry about getting cold and wet... Eric Rohmann celebrates the value of curiosity and adventuresome, positive thinking... and plus, it has lots of pictures of cute little kittens. Graphically strong, with a nice, positive message. Recommended! (ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)