Mittens (My First I Can Read) [Paperback]

Lola M. Schaefer (Author), Susan Kathleen Hartung (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: My First I Can Read

Mittens is a small, shy kitten in a big, new house. Will he find a place just for him?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Mittens spends most of the book looking for a safe, quiet place to hide in his new home. Frightened, the kitten cries, bringing Nick, his owner, to his rescue. The controlled vocabulary in this gentle, unassuming story is made up primarily of one-syllable words, and the sentence structure is very basic. The soft pastel illustrations are simple and uncluttered and enhance the quiet tone of the text. This title would be good for easy-reader collections and could be used in toddler storytimes.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

PreS-K. The beautiful physical immediacy of the new pet story will draw emergent readers to this small My First title in the I Can Read series. Simple words in big, clear type and the cozy pictures tell the story from the viewpoint of the small, furry kitten, Mittens, fearful in his new home, searching for a safe place just for him. Everything is new and big and scary. He looks for a place behind the television (too loud), and under the sofa (too dark). Finally, he hides under a bed, where Nick finds him and slowly coaxes him out to curl up in his arms. Preschoolers will appreciate the realism of the kitten's story, as they recognize from their own experience how it feels to be a small creature in a giant world. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060546611
• ISBN-13: 978-0060546618
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Cats > Fiction
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > New Experiences
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > New Experiences

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deceptively Simple; Well-Told and Illustrated, November 17, 2007

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mittens (My First I Can Read) (Paperback)

This is a deceptively simply story about Nick's new kitten, "Mittens." Deceptive because there are some big themes behind the scenes of Mittens' arrival: Trying new things, adaptation, coping, fears, and reassurance. However, Schaefer places it all within the context of Mittens' initial reactions to his new h ome.

Nick is ready for friendship, "MIttens, this is your new home," but Mittens isn't ready yet. THe unfamiliar things look "new and big!" and Mittens just "wants a hiding place..a small place just for him." He runs to the television (but it is too loud), under the couch (but it is too dark, and under Nick's bed. "BUt everything is stillnew. MIttens is still scared!" FOrtunately, Nick has been looking for MIttens, and when hefind him, he las down on the floor, at Mitten's level. "YOu are safe now." MIttens creeps forward, slowly, looking right into Nick's eyes, while NIch waits patiently. Everything is OK now, and MItten feels safe and trusting enough for Nick to encircle him in his arms. Mittens purrs....

THe books does an excellent job within the confines of its 25 pages. It captures the appropriate emotions and, although the cat's eventual acceptance of Nick is not completely explained (other than the implication that Nick's patience and empathy in getting down to the kitten's level helped), it's a plausible and well-developed story. Children might be asked how MIttens felt, or whether they have ever helped a newcomer--animal or human. Veteran illustrator Susan K. Hartung adds a soothing touch to the story with her soft, uncluttered watercolors. They're warm and welcoming, and don't overwhelm. A great book for small groups on one-on-one, and perhaps even bedtime, once you know that Mitten finds a happy new home with Nick.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A few words and a big story, May 18, 2008

By 

Backroads "Scatter-brained book fan" (Cache Valley, Utah) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mittens (My First I Can Read) (Paperback)

Maybe it's because I'm a cat person, but this was pretty much the most adorable little easy-reader book I have ever seen. It's simple enough to be enjoyed by an emergent reader and possibly read by, but it speaks emotional volumes of this cute little kitty terrified by his new home. The basic illustrations are surprisingly sweet, and it's a great first reader.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy read for beginners & a cute story as well..., October 29, 2009

By 

ThisThatNEverything "thisthatneverything" (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mittens (My First I Can Read) (Paperback)

My son is 6 years old & he really enjoys reading this book. He can read about half of it himself which is pretty good for beginning readers. The story itself is very life-like. Mittens is new to the house & he's very scared & immediately sets out to find himself a hiding spot. This is how it is for most cats in the real world so I think it's nice for kids to understand that it's normal & they just need to be patient. The illustrations in this book are great as well. I'd highly recommend this for beginning readers who enjoy cats. My age recommendation would be 4-7.