Mittens [Hardcover]

Clare Turlay Newberry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1998

Richard achieves his lifelong desire to have a kitten, only to have it become lost.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Richard, who's almost 6-years-old and wears "size seven suits" has finally convinced his mother that he's big enough to have a kitten. But after an over-zealous squeeze from visiting baby Norine, his new kitten, Mittens, sneaks off and disappears. Richard's father posts a notice in the morning paper: "Lost: black-and-gray tabby kitten. Child's pet. REWARD." The telephone begins to ring, and the doorbell repeatedly chimes, and an absurd array of pussycats is paraded by Richard's family. Not one of them is a gray and white tabby, and consequently, not one of them is Mittens. By day's end, Richard's hopes are dashed. But don't despair! Richard learns the importance of patience and perseverance, and baby Mittens is at last returned to his rightful owner.

Originally published in 1937, Mittens is a nostalgic tale that transcends the decades to charm a whole new generation of readers. It launched Caldecott Honor author/illustrator Clare Turlay Newberry's worldwide reputation as an illustrator of cats. And indeed, her kitten pictures are adorable, as are the other simple illustrations that accompany this irresistible story.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: Smithmark Pub; 1 edition (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765190591
• ISBN-13: 978-0765190598
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 11 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE VERY BEST CAT PICTURES EVER MADE--New York Times, November 13, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Santa Fe, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mittens (Hardcover)

My Mother's most famous classic, MITTENS, has been re-issued keeping all the original illustrations and hand-set type. Even fellow artists were amazed that all the illustrations were done Japanese style on wet paper in a matter of moments, without any corrections. This technique gives the "furry" quality and also allowed my Mom to finish the watercolor before the kitties jumped on her lap. Mittens was a real family kitten and my brother, Steven, and our Grandmother Daisy all appear in the book, as well as all the different kinds of cats that add to the plot.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book as a child, August 1, 2007

By 

Book Lovin' Mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mittens (Hardcover)

This was my very favorite book as a child. I checked it out from the library over and over again, and it was my obsession with this book that finally convinced my parents that 5 years of asking for a cat wasn't a phase. The artwork is beautiful, and the story is dear. "Mittens" is the best!

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely illustrations and a charming story., June 16, 2007

By 

R. Shure (Glendale, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This is a gem of a vintage storybook. The illustrations of the kitten really capture the mannerisms of kittens without being overly precious. While the story is obviously dated, it's filled with details that many children will relate to, as well as a simple story about a boy who loses his kitten after a visiting toddler scares it away.