Three Little Kittens by Jerry Pinkney
Caldecott medalist, Pinkney, has created a picture book version of the beloved nursery rhyme. Pinkney stays true to the original version of the rhyme. His illustrations offer a realistic and detailed depiction of the rhyme, offering a jaunty tone that works very well here. The mother cat is fully clothed in a dress while the kittens romp in collars only, allowing them to act more like cats while they play. The small details in the illustrations are delightful. The kittens play with a mouse jack-in-the-box and a mouse doll. Meanwhile real mice peek around a corner. The birds outside also have scarves and hats, echoing the anthropomorphized cats nicely.
Pinkney has made this a great autumn book by having the cats frolic in fallen leaves. In fact, the leaves are what hide the mittens from view when they lose them. When the cats head back to find their mittens, they find them just where they left them, as young readers will enjoy remembering. The playful kittens have detailed fur that is lush, fuzzy and fine. All three having different colored coats make for dynamic and appealing pictures.
A lovely take on a classic rhyme, this book will be welcomed to library and classroom shelves as another great picture book by a master. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Reviewed from copy received from Dial Books.
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You can also check out this video of Jerry Pinkney talking about creating the book:
Waking Brain Cells 