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Three Little Kittens
Make way for the three little kittens who lost their mittens -- as you've never seen them before! "McClintock's feline portraits pack plenty of personality.... A sprightly and charming modern take on a traditional rhyme." -- Kirkus Reviews Who will be able to resist wailing along with the naughty little kittens as they lose their mittens? And who won't relish rejoicing with the good little kittens as they find and wash their mittens -- and earn their pie -- as well as a loving hug from their mama?Barbara McClintock, a master of visual storytelling, presents this classic favorite in a comic-book style that encourages full reader participation. And her original twist to the ending is a warm embrace of kindness and empathy to strangers.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2020
About the author
Barbara McClintock
62 books90 followersBarbara McClintock is the author and illustrator of books for children.
Her books have won 4 New York Times Best Books awards, a New York Times Notable Book citation, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor award, numerous other awards, recommended/best book lists, and starred reviews. Her books have been made into children's videos, a ballet/opera, and a recorded books on tape.
Barbara drew constantly as a child. By the time she was seven, she knew she would be an artist when she grew up. Her older sister recommended she be a childrens' book illustrator, and this proved to be a rare instance when she followed her sister's advice. Barbara also wanted to be a cat when she grew up, and is glad she had art as a back up plan.
The first part of Barbara's growing up was in Clinton, NJ. Her early influences were her photographer father, seamstress/teacher mother, and the cartoon character Top Cat.
Barbara moved to North Dakota when she was 9 with her mother and sister after her parents divorced. She continued to draw through middle and high school, frequently in the margins of her tests and homework.
Barbara attended Jamestown College in North Dakota, where she refined her drawing skills by copying pictures in artbooks she checked out of her college library.
Two weeks after her 20th birthday, Barbara moved to New York City to begin her career on the recommendation of Maurice Sendak, whon she called from North Dakota for advice about how to become a children's book illustrator.
Barbara studied for two months at the Art Student's League in New York City. She continued to copy from art books she checked out of libraries, and sketched paintings and drawings in museums in New York City. Barbara is essentially self-taught as an artist/illustrator.
After illustrating books written by other authors, Barbara began writing as well as producing the artwork for her own books.
She currently lives in rural Connectucut with the illustrator David A. Johnson, their cats Pip and Emma, and David's truly gorgeous rose garden.
Her books have won 4 New York Times Best Books awards, a New York Times Notable Book citation, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor award, numerous other awards, recommended/best book lists, and starred reviews. Her books have been made into children's videos, a ballet/opera, and a recorded books on tape.
Barbara drew constantly as a child. By the time she was seven, she knew she would be an artist when she grew up. Her older sister recommended she be a childrens' book illustrator, and this proved to be a rare instance when she followed her sister's advice. Barbara also wanted to be a cat when she grew up, and is glad she had art as a back up plan.
The first part of Barbara's growing up was in Clinton, NJ. Her early influences were her photographer father, seamstress/teacher mother, and the cartoon character Top Cat.
Barbara moved to North Dakota when she was 9 with her mother and sister after her parents divorced. She continued to draw through middle and high school, frequently in the margins of her tests and homework.
Barbara attended Jamestown College in North Dakota, where she refined her drawing skills by copying pictures in artbooks she checked out of her college library.
Two weeks after her 20th birthday, Barbara moved to New York City to begin her career on the recommendation of Maurice Sendak, whon she called from North Dakota for advice about how to become a children's book illustrator.
Barbara studied for two months at the Art Student's League in New York City. She continued to copy from art books she checked out of libraries, and sketched paintings and drawings in museums in New York City. Barbara is essentially self-taught as an artist/illustrator.
After illustrating books written by other authors, Barbara began writing as well as producing the artwork for her own books.
She currently lives in rural Connectucut with the illustrator David A. Johnson, their cats Pip and Emma, and David's truly gorgeous rose garden.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 4, 2020
Reviewed for School Library Journal on 3/1/2020. Full Review found there.
VERDICT: A fun, energetic read that will make new Mother Goose fans of little ones. Recommended for purchase
VERDICT: A fun, energetic read that will make new Mother Goose fans of little ones. Recommended for purchase
February 28, 2020
Three Little Kittens by Barbara McClintock. PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic Press, APRIL 2020. $19. 9781338125870
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
The three little kittens want pie, but they’ve lost their mittens.
McClintock has taken the original nursery rhyme and added backstory and dialogue. Unfortunately the nursery rhyme is mixed in with other dialogue and actions, so while sometimes you have the rhymes, they are interrupted by the other dialogue. Had all of the original been set apart so that is was recognizable, that might have helped, instead, it is a bit of a mess.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
The three little kittens want pie, but they’ve lost their mittens.
McClintock has taken the original nursery rhyme and added backstory and dialogue. Unfortunately the nursery rhyme is mixed in with other dialogue and actions, so while sometimes you have the rhymes, they are interrupted by the other dialogue. Had all of the original been set apart so that is was recognizable, that might have helped, instead, it is a bit of a mess.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
June 30, 2022
With funny little twists to the classic story, this is sure to elicit some smiles and giggles. It's written in a comic-strip style and is fun to read aloud.
E and I are working through nursery rhymes and stories and this is one we both enjoyed. To be fair, she likes nearly all of the books we've read, but this is one of the elite that I feel like I could read multiple times without losing my mind. 😂 The plain version of the rhyme gets old fast but between the speech bubbles and the lively illustrations in this version, it's easier to like it. But we'll see if it holds up - she will likely ask for it a dozen more times before it goes back to the library!
E and I are working through nursery rhymes and stories and this is one we both enjoyed. To be fair, she likes nearly all of the books we've read, but this is one of the elite that I feel like I could read multiple times without losing my mind. 😂 The plain version of the rhyme gets old fast but between the speech bubbles and the lively illustrations in this version, it's easier to like it. But we'll see if it holds up - she will likely ask for it a dozen more times before it goes back to the library!
Read
March 5, 2025Barbara McClintock's "The Three Little Kittens" brings a delightful twist to the classic nursery rhyme, offering a cozy, charming experience that both children and adults can enjoy. What stands out is McClintock’s ability to infuse personality into each kitten, from their playful antics to their tiny moments of mischief. The warm, watercolor like illustrations are soothing and bring the story to life in such a comforting way and it feels like a cuddle in book form.
June 22, 2021
I grew up reading Little Golden Books and Three Little Kittens was one of my absolute favorites. This was a fun updated version of a classic story. Apparently I've always been a bit of a cat lady.
March 20, 2020
A more modern take on the classic rhyme. Little dialogue boxes will occasionally have bits from the rhyme, and sometimes just other character reactions entirely, so sometimes it's tricky to keep with the cadence.
December 4, 2020
A new adaptation of the classic nursery rhyme. I truly enjoyed the additional dialogue and the illustrations; with the exception of the mother cat's face when her kittens lost and soiled their mittens. She looked incredibly angry. Hopefully mothers out there don't respond this way.
Read
November 14, 2021This classic story gets an amazing new version that the kids at library story time loved. This was their first introduction to the Three Little Kittens and it made them want to decorate mittens and try to talk library workers into bringing pie to the next story time!
December 14, 2021
This fun, embellished and well-illustrated version of the classic "Three Little Kittens" rhyme would make a good bedtime story. It is also a good lesson on the importance of using forks when eating.
April 6, 2022
Probably Stella's favorite of the books I got for the nursery rhymes unit for playing preschool. Doesn't really read as the traditional nursery rhyme even though I think the normal text is there because there are speech bubbles for the cat and kittens.
December 28, 2019
Bright and fun comic-book style version of the old nursery rhyme.
Read in galley.
Read in galley.
Read
February 1, 2020Cute adaptation of the nursery rhyme. Humorous. Modern.
February 4, 2020
4 stars for this retelling with beautiful illustrations
I received this ARC at ALA Midwinter
I received this ARC at ALA Midwinter
February 19, 2020
Hmm. Will see how the TK class likes it on Monday.
February 26, 2020
A cute retelling of the classic rhyme. The kitten's dialogue and beautiful illustrations give it new life.
March 3, 2020
Loved it!
March 19, 2020
I love this nursery rhyme but the integrated conversation bubbles made the story not as easy to follow.
March 29, 2020
A little repetitive, but the pictures are cute and the twist ending is fun. Their Mom runs hot and cold.
April 11, 2020
Cute story. Children will love that it's in a graphic novel format.
June 15, 2020
What a cute update of a classic rhyme. I particularly love Mother Cat :).
June 30, 2020
The story was cute and enjoyable, with a nice ending. However, the mixed-in dialogue was a distraction for me.
July 16, 2020
Three Little Kittens learn to take of their mittens and share their pie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2020
Such a cute update of a favorite nursery rhyme
September 24, 2020
Love that it includes the original nursery rhyme
October 7, 2020
Based on the class "Three Little Kittens" rhythm, this retelling adds some dialogue while keeping most of the original verses. This was a sweet before bed read.
January 19, 2021
Very cute and funny reimagining of the Three Little Kittens!
April 30, 2021
Adorable adaptation of the classic nursery rhyme.
October 18, 2021
Benny: 5 stars
Mom: 4 stars
A fun twist on the three little kittens. I thought the dialogue on the page was a little too much, but we loved the mouse.
Mom: 4 stars
A fun twist on the three little kittens. I thought the dialogue on the page was a little too much, but we loved the mouse.
March 17, 2022
This fun adaptation of the old nursery rhyme throws in graphic novel word bubbles for a fun spin on the old text. Cute!
January 25, 2023
The added dialogue disrupts the flow of the nursery rhyme, and isn't creative or interesting enough to justify its presence. The illustrations are cute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews