Mittens (I Can Read!)

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.

Mittens the kitten is new to the house. Everything is big and scary. Zoom! Mittens runs out of the room. After a series of wrong turns, mittens has found a "small hiding place just for him." But he is still scared. Using love and patience, his new owner -- a boy named Nick -- gets Mittens to feel comfortable. This is a great book for kids who are just begging to read, or even younger ones. The repeated "Zooms" and "Meows" are fun to say and there's a great opportunity to use tone when Nick asks "Mittens, where are you?" At the same time, the book has several nice messages: it is normal to be scared in new situations, and it is important to treat animals gently and with great patience. This is a great little book that your child will want to read again and again.

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.

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.