Knitty Kitty

by David Elliott, Christopher Denise (Illustrator)

An ever-patient kitty knits away with one watchful eye on three impish kittens in a charming tale that's purr-fect for bedtime — or anytime.

"Clickety-click.
Tickety-tick.
Knitty Kitty sits and knits."

What could Knitty Kitty be knitting? Something to keep three mischievous kittens toasty and comfy, of course. But after the snow falls and the moon comes up and it's bedtime for kittens everywhere, what will keep them all warm and snug? Knitty Kitty has the answers! With a fun, rhythmic text and delightfully detailed illustrations, the storybook team of David Elliott and Christopher Denise knit together a read-aloud that little ones will cozy right up to.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Animals, Childrens, Knitting, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 2008

About the author

David Elliott is the author of THE COOL CRAZY CRICKETS and THE TRANSMOGRIFICATION OF ROSCOE WIZZLE. He says of AND HERE'S TO YOU!, "My neighbor’s rooster and I were having a disagreement. I wanted to sleep in the morning; he wanted to crow. The rooster won, of course. The first verse of AND HERE'S TO YOU! is a tribute to his victory and to the joys found in simply following your nature."

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and sweet, like all of the anthropomorphic picture books I love. Knitty Kitty makes beautiful knitted garments for the three kittens, but they take them outside and put them on the snowman. Then, when it's bedtime, they wonder how they will stay warm. Beautiful nighttime and outdoor wintry scenes, done in acrylic and ink on paper. My favorite panel is the one that accompanies "It's bedtime for kittens everywhere," with a kitten leaning up against Knitty Kitty's skirt as she takes a candlestick to lead them to bed. You can almost hear the little tabby purring!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knitty Kitty knits some mittens, hats and scarves for the little kittens in her care, but those playful felines decide that these winter accoutrements should be given to the snowman they build. Fortunately for them, when bedtime comes Knitty Kitty has another way of keeping them warm...

I will confess that I sought out Knitty Kitty predominately because the title tickled my fancy, although it helps that I enjoy picture-books featuring cats and/or winter-time vistas. This has both, and pairs a simple, poetic text with charming illustrations. Definitely a cozy little book, perfect for young cat lovers at bedtime.

[Melissa Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've decided to do a spotlight on David Elliot because I loved his YA poetry re-tellings so much. What did I think about this picture book? So, so cute! Loved the illustrations by Christopher Denise, they remind me of colored pencil drawings. Very detailed and lovely. This is just a cute story about a mom cat who likes to knit. She has 3 kittens and they play. At the end of the day they say good-night. Very simple, but so cute. I could see a small kid about 3 or 4 wanting to read this over and over. Especially at bedtime so they can say all the goodnights. It's snowing in the book so maybe good for around the holidays. I think a first grader would be able to read this one, maybe with only a little help.

On to the next book....

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story of a mommy kitty knitting clothing for her babies. I had a hard time finding the rhythm of the text. Some of it rhymed, but some of it didn't.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute book, but I do not believe that I would read it to Preschoolers again. They became a bit antsy at the slow-paced nature of it. Not a bad book, just not one that I would read again.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the kittens in her charge put the hat, mittens, and scarf that she knitted for them on the snowman, Knitty Kitty finds a different way to keep them cozy, comfy, and toasty.

Knitty Kitty sits by the fire and knits while her three kittens play. She gives one kitten a hat, one kitten a pair of mittens, and one kitten a scarf to keep them cozy, comfy, and toasty. The kittens promptly take these items outside and use them to dress the snowman. Then at bedtime when her kittens are unable to sleep because they aren't cozy, comfy, or toasty, Knitty Kitty curls up with them to keep them warm.

This is a very, very tender and gentle book about domestic happiness and a loving caregiver. Knitty Kitty spends a winter day with her kittens, knitting while they play. Then as night falls, they all curl up together and go to sleep. The repeated phrases add to the soothing tone of the story. This would be an excellent book with which to reassure young children that they are safe and loved.

[Tayler K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankly I didn't really enjoy the text, but this was still a cute story.

I'm generally really much more into illustrations for children's books anyway, and that's what really shone for me here. The cat mannerisms were captured well but somehow perfectly blended with the child/grandma vibes. The kittens creeping out one by one to put their knitted goodies on the snowman just melted my heart.
And the sleepy snowman. <3
Also that little house is too cute!! I want it!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a two-year old, this delightful book might count as a suspenseful mystery.

What, exactly what, is Knitty Kitty (the mom) constantly working on one with her knitting needles?

Best of all is the fine plot twist at the end.

Trust David Elliott to supply excellent creativity. For this book, Christopher Denise has supplied warm-hearted, comforting, clever illustrations.

FIVE STARS, for sure.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clickety-click. Tickety-tick. Knitty Kitty sits and knits.

The things she knits for her kittens keep them cozy, toasty, and comfy. 🐈🐈🐈

Three little kittens go out to play in the snow. When they share their knitted hat, scarf, and mittens with the snowman, how will they stay warm at night?⛄

Knitty Kitty has it covered.😻

Night-night.

[Alecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so sweet. It just has this cozy, classic childen's bedtime story feel to me - kind of like Goodnight Moon. I loved the illustrations. Perfect for a wintery bedtime story with little ones, especially after a day of playing in the snow or building a snow man.

[Beth Bauman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aw, another super cute book about kittens whose aunt (or some fond maternal figure not called "mother") knits them articles of clothing and they put them on a snowman, and then cuddle INSTEAD with the aunt to keep warm at night. Sweet.

[Lila Diller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this might be better for girls, but my youngest picked this up at the library. When we read it together, I was saying, "Aw!" for the sweet mother kitten. But he didn't really get into it. :)

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and cozy.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozy yarn with comforting repetition about a grandmotherly kitty who helps keep kittens warm with her creations. Simple, sweet, and with wintery illustrations, a snuggly story.

[Miss Leinbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clickety clack... Onomat examples
Use for finding short i sound
use to compare silent k

[Amity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contractually obligated to like basically any book with kittens. Lovely illustrations, but the rhythm of the text is a bit clunky when doing a read-aloud.

Still: kittens.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

cozy and precious

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book. Very sweet story of a cat who knits warm accessories for her kittens, who find another use for them. My sister gave me this book since I knit and love cats.

[Sushie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smacks of Aesop.

Iggi's Storytime Criteria
Age group: Preschool+
Content: caring guardians, knitting, winter prep
Plot: classic fable, 3 gifts
Wordiness: High
Length: Medium
Illustrations: Cute, detailed, full
Other: knitting/crochet craft?, dress a kitten?,

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grandmothers are so typically described as sitting in rocking chairs, wearing shawls and knitting as they rock even though the grandmothers my generation had in our families weren't like that and my children's grandmothers are certainly not like that. Yet, the trope is alive and well, especially in children's books such as Knitty Kitty by David Elliott.

The grandmother here is a matronly calico who sits in a pink and green polka dotted armchair, knitting as she watches three rambunctious kittens. As they play she knits a hat, a scarf and some mittens, presumably to keep them warm.

Mittens don't stay on kittens, no matter how lovingly they were made. These kittens have other ideas for the clothing knitted for them. How grandma reacts to their creative use of her gifts highlights for me and my children that bond that families share.

However on a whole my two didn't relate to most of the book. They liked the illustrations and the rhyming text but a knitting grandmother wasn't something they could relate to. Their grandmothers walk dogs, teach school, volunteer in libraries; they are athletic and energetic. In this way the book failed to connect.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knitty Kitty, you guessed it, is about a cat that knits. What does she knit, you ask? Why she knits things to keep her three little kittens warm and cozy.

Clickety-click.
Tickety-tick.
Knitty Kitty sits and knits.

First comes a hat, then comes some mittens, and last but not least a scarf. But what happens when these three little kittens give away their presents--give them to the snowman in their yard? How will three little kittens stay all warm and cozy now? Knitty Kitty has a solution! Read and see for yourself.

I enjoyed this one. What I loved about it--however--was the detail of the illustrations. How observant are YOU? Do you see the story going on behind-the-scenes? Did you catch on about what these playful little kittens were up to before the text does the big reveal? If you didn't catch it the first time, go back and read it a second time. It adds a whole new layer to this book perfect for winter time reading.

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kitty knits hats, mittens, and scarves to keep her kittens warm and cozy. . They promptly give her creations to the snowman they made. At night, they realize the only thing they need to be cozy is their mother.

What I thought: This is a cute book. The kittens behave just like kids--giving their knitwear to a snowman. This will appeal to lovers of the story of three little kittens who loose their mittens.

[Rosa Cline]

The illustrations were wonderful in this storybook-picture book; the text was basic only a few words per page but was still a special little book. A Mama cat starts off knitting something special for each of her babies; and they each take tem outside to the snowman because he needs to be warm too. But when it's bedtime they are cold and worries about what they will do to stay warm. But Mama cat says not to worry that SHE will warm them and they all lay together to go to bed.

[Joenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute book! Knitty Kitty sits and knits hats, mittens, and scarves for her three cats. But the cats think the snowman is cold so they give them to him. When they go to bed, they have nothing to keep them comfy...except their mama! Lots of repitition and rhyming. Great for babies and toddlers.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Homosassa Bedtime Stories on 11/10/2009. Theme: Cats. Paired with "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (closing song.)

This is a sweet book, better for winter months. Could be paired with "Three Little Kittens" rhyme. Requires some pointing out of action but is otherwise a good storytime book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Annie's favorite bedtime/naptime reads right now. I love it, too. I think I like everything this illustrator has contributed to (see: Oliver Finds His way. And the author is local.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte LOVED this book. She really likes books about cats, and she loved the simple format of this book. Very few lines per page, great illustrations, and knitting! Knitting is something that Charlotte sees a lot of, and she was really thrilled to see it in a picture book. Not a lot of analysis here - she just really likes this book.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a cat-lover and a knitter, we knew I'd like this one. (It even comes with a website for the simple knitting patterns!) The knitty kitty in question is the motherly/grandmotherly figure of a calico looking after three kittens. This is a sweet read, particularly for those kids who love kittens, and it would make an ideal read-along on a winter's night.

[Library Quine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice pictures, but a lack-lustre text about a mother cat who knits cosy items for her kittens; hat, mittens and scarf. The mischievous kittens think that the cold snowman needs them more than they do, so place them on him, while going to bed feeling cold. Knitting Kitty has a solution to please them all.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, it is about cats AND knitting so I had to read it!
This book is great for recognizing rhyming words and identifying silent letters in words like "knit" and "click" as well as blends. It could be used inside a unit on the seasons, identifying clothing that the kittens put on their snowman as "winter-wear" and why they wanted to be comfy, toasty, and warm.