Saturday, September 20, 2008

A Kitten Tale - Eric Rohmann

For: Very young kids
Published: 2008
Rating: 4,5/5
Read: September 13, 2008
Endpapers: Happy yellow
THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING!!

If I were not reading picture books that have gotten starred reviews, anticipating the Caldecott Award in January, I would never have picked this book up. It was a pleasant surprise, but I guess it shouldn't have been.

Simple, simple, simple -- but wonderful. Three of four kittens were dreading the arrival of snow - afraid of the unknown. But the fourth kitten could't wait. Through summer rains and falling autumn leaves they wait, three dreading, one anticipating. And then, one winter morning, they awaken to snow.....and we see a wonderful, two-page wordless illustration of three of the kittens, paws to the window glass, watching the snow come down. I'd love to frame that illustration. They go outside to join the already frolicking fourth kitten, finding their months of dread have been for no reason at all.

Thick black-lined framed illustrations, with the major items outlined in the same black, the color is added using watercolors.

Simple repetition. Simple story. Simple paintings. Simply lovely.

No comments: