Mittens

Mittens

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

Mittens is a small kitten in a big, new house. Everything seems loud and unfamiliar and scary. The little kitten wants a special place all his own. Can a new friend help him find one?

The satisfying story of an adorable kitten's search for security and his discovery of a new friend is perfect for children who, like Mittens, are ready to take their first steps on a new journey: reading.

Mittens is a My First I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child. "The beautiful physical immediacy of the new pet story will draw emergent readers," commented Booklist.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Cats, Fiction, Animals, Teaching, Kids

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2006

About the author

Lola M. Schaefer is an educator, writer, and gardener, and the author of many acclaimed books for children about math, art, science, technology, animals, and nature. She uses shovels, hoes, rakes, and scissors when she works in her garden. Lola M. Shaefer grew up in Indiana, and now lives in northern Georgia.

Reviews

[Lillith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it was pretty good. I would probably read it again, but it was really short! I like when Mittens tries to hide places. She tried to hide behind the TV but it was too noisy! It was funny. It was a pretty funny book. Its cute. Someone who likes kittens or hiding would like this book.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

[Jennifer]

This is an easy-to-read book. My preschool children like to follow along when I read. I have several copies of it, so when we are in a small group each child can point to the words as I read. They like having their own book to "read."

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text in this book is a bit more engaging than most beginning readers. It is nice for my 6 and 7 year olds who want more of a story and their reading level.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

We now have a cat named Mittens. What a coincidence.

[Megan McKenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Reaction: This is a cute book for beginning readers. The story is cute and simple. Children will likely enjoy this book as they too will find the story and the kitten cute. Children will also thrive on their success as they will be able to read this book on their own.

Purpose: As a beginning reader book, this would be used as an independent read. Late kindergarteners and early first graders would likely be able to read this book on their own. The characters (mittens the kitten and Nick) would appeal to both young boys and girls. The text of this book is easy to follow and understand clearly with the help of pictures in some cases. The space between the words and large font on the white space of the pages will help beginning readers. There are few unfamiliar words to new readers, such as "zoom" and "meow", but they are decodable and can be recognized in context. The short, simple sentences are also good for early readers. The story structure is simple with no excess information to differ from the story. This helps new readers learn the flow of story structure and leaves little room for confusion. The only thing that may be difficult or at least unfamiliar in this book to beginning readers is its placement of words in white text on dark pages in a few cases. This will likely not be beyond beginning readers ability, but may be new to them.

[Luis Reynoso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mittens is a children’s book about a boy who buys a kitten and names it mittens. Throughout the book the kitten is looking for a small place for it to hide. The kitten is very picky. Places are too loud, dark, or just scary. Mittens cries out feeling afraid and out of place. This is where the owner comes and comforts the kitten and Mittens seems to be content from this and curls up and cuddles with it’s new owner.
The text in the book is very big and easy to read. I could tell that this was a book written for very young children who are beginning to learn how to read. The text is also very simple and fun. “Zoom!” the author uses this alliteration to show the kitten is running from place to place. This could make reading fun for young children, making the noises while reading the book.
The pictures are also very simple. There isn’t much detail in the pictures. They emphasize the kitten being very small by placing it next to the boys shoe and appearing to be the same size. They always have the kitten on the ground emphasizing the size of the kitten. When the illustrations also show the boys face, it is as if he is a giant.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took this book to read to my 3 year old cousin at his request. We saw it advertised in the back of another book that we read last week. I liked that it had fairly detailed illustrations. My cousin immediately spotted the electrical outlet and was on the look out for a heating vent as those are two things that fascinate him. (He does know that they are dangerous and he mustn't ever touch them.) As far as the story goes he only started to pay attention after it was mentioned that "Mittens was scared". We've been working on the difference between the words "scared" and "upset" as he uses "scared" for both feelings. I ended up adding, "Mittens was still scared" or "Mittens became upset by..." whenever it was appropriate to reinforce the difference between the two feelings.

[Kimberlee Gutterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part of the I Can Read collection which is great for young readers or children who have no experience with reading. These books are considered transitional because they are extremely easy to understand and aren't overwhelming the reader with a lot of text. 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 story times. 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.

[Jessica Vu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story for the developing, beginning reader. Read story and have students figure out the "who" and the "what" of the story.

Predicting - Where will the kitten hid next? Will the kitten stay there or find a new place to hid? Why?

Sequencing- basic sequencing for the major events of the story

First day of school book - may help students with the anxiety of a new big school/classroom.
Self-to-text connection

Write about where you hid when you're scared/what you do to feel better.

[Amanda Kolar]

Schaefer (2006) tells a story about a boy named Nick who gets a new kitten named Mittens. Mittens is scared and try to find a hiding place in his new home. Mitten does under Nick’s bed. Nick finally finds Mittens and tells him everything is ok and that he will be his friend. I would use this in my classroom. It would help me teach my students how to be nice to new animals when they get one. Animals have feelings just like us humans.

[Monalisa Johnson-brown]

This is about a boy who named Nick who got a cat named Mitten. Mitten was in a new and big place. He wanted a small place where he could call his own. He went behind the television but it was too loud, under the sofa it was too dark, under the bed was just right. Mitten found his home and Nick was happy that he found a place that was comfortable for him. Nick told him that everything will be okay.

[Heather B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is pretty close to what it is like bring home a new kitten. At first the kitten is scared and running around it's new home because it is scared and wants to find a safe hiding place; which is actually happens sometimes. But, evenually the kitten calms down and becomes comfortable with it's new surroundings. Once again it is a cute book and fairly accurate on kittens' behavior. I would recommend for early readers K to 2nd grade. Published 2007.

[Slayermel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story about a kitten who has just been adopted and is scared of his new surroundings, and the little boy who is ready to take care of the kitten and make him feel safe.

My daughter picked this book from the library as it reminded her of when we adopted our cats. How scared they were when they first arrived and how it took time to build those relationships.
This book generated a lot of conversation and caused her to reflect back.

[Ashley Correll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a little kitten named Mittens. Nick brought a new kitten, Mittens home and Mittens is scared because its a new place and everything is soo big. So, Mittens runs from room to room trying to find a safe place. In the end, Mittens realizes that Nick will take care of him and keep him safe so there is nothing to worry about. Great book for beginning readers!

[Yates Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a cat that has just come to a new home. The kitten is scared and tries to find a hiding place for just him. Once he finds a hiding place he is still scared. Then he returns to his new owner/friend and becomes comfortable to with. This would be a good book for new students to help tell them that things will be alright.

[A.C. Bauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book, not only because I once had a cat named Mittens. I love the way the book informs children of what it can be like to get a new kitten, by relating one boy's story with his kitten, Mittens. Our kitty was very similar when we brought her home, and I think this book is a great choice for parents to read to children before bringing home a new kitty (or any pet really).

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this would be cute anyway, but having recently adopted a young tabby who found a hiding place right away and still zooms around the house, it's accurate. I think this would be very fun for kids with new kittens.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great easy read for young students. This book is about a kitten that is frightened and can't find a place to feel safe. His new owner offers him a safe place...in his arms.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My four-year-old son loves this book. There is no more important requirement than that for an early reader. The pictures are nice.

[Shelly Koressel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitten is in a new home and he is scared. He has to learn how to deal with his insecurities. Cute book, preschool and kindergarten would love it. First readers level.

[Cindy Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked when Mittens hid under the bed and was scared of all of the noises

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like when Mittens runs behind the T.V.. It is to loud.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book my daughter really "learned" to read with. Mittens is an adorable little cat who wants to find his own space in a new house.

[Jayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A.R. 1.2

[Hannah Sheffield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be good for reading with emergent readers. They would be able to read most of the words.

[Ashlyn Barker-Salyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little story for emerging readers about a child who has a new kitten. I would not use this as a read aloud, but it would be useful for independent reading time for K-1st grade.

[Edward Creter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mittens is a cute kitty cat in need of a home--and a friend. Wonderfully illustrated and a balm for those in need of a cute story.

[Nick Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute book. Pretty easy read for younger grades. Great for children to understand who have pets.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nick's new kitten Mittens is trying to find a good place in his new home. Mittens tries many spots, but finally finds the best cozy place.

A cute story about a new pet with adorable illustrations.