Katie Loves the Kittens

by John Himmelman, John Himmelman (Illustrator)

Overview

The acclaimed author and illustrator of Chickens to the Rescue has created a sweet, funny, and entirely irresistible new character—a little dog just bursting with good intentions.

Katie is so excited when Sara Ann brings home three little kittens that she can't stop herself from howling "AROOOOO!" and trying to run after them. She loves them so much!

But Katie's enthusiasm frightens the kitties, and she's sad when they run away from her. Don't they know that she just wants to play?

Katie Loves the Kittens is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805086829
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	09/16/2008
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD330L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

JOHN HIMMELMAN is the author and illustrator of more than sixty books for children, including Chickens to the Rescue. He lives in Connecticut with his family.

Read an Excerpt

Katie Loves the Kittens

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By John Himmelman

Henry Holt and Company

Copyright © 2008 John Himmelman
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-250-13406-6

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CHAPTER 1

Today was the most exciting day in Katie's whole life! Sara Ann had brought home three little kittens.

Katie loved those kittens so much. As soon as she saw them, she howled "AROOOOOO! AROOOOOO!" She always howled like that when she was very happy.

But Katie's howling frightened the kittens.

They ran in all directions. Katie chased them around the house. "AROOOOO! AROOOOO!" she howled.

"No, no, no, Katie," said Sara Ann. "You are scaring the kittens! You stay away from them until they get used to you."

Katie felt sad. She did not want to scare the kittens.

Later that day, Sara Ann was playing with her new pets. Katie watched from around a corner. She wanted to play with the kittens too. She just loved them so much.

She tried to control herself.

She tried and tried and tried.

But Katie couldn't stop herself any longer.

She burst into the room. The kittens scattered.

"AROOOOO! AROOOOO!" she howled as she chased them around the room.

"No, Katie, no!" said Sara Ann. "You scared them again!"

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Katie Loves the Kittens by John Himmelman. Copyright © 2008 John Himmelman. Excerpted by permission of Henry Holt and Company.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Title Page,
Copyright Notice,
Dedication,
Begin Reading,
About the Author,
Copyright,

Editorial Reviews

"The pencil and ink drawings evince the same combination of craft and tenderness. Katie is the very picture of openheartedness, confusion and contrition, and readers will root for her from the very first page." - Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Katie the dog feels it is "the most exciting day in her whole life" when her owner Sara Ann brings home three tiny kittens. Unfortunately, her excitement causes Katie to howl ... which causes the kittens to be scared ... which causes them to run ... which causes Katie to run after them ... which causes the kittens to be even more scared. It is a terrible feeling to be chastised by Sara Ann; she feels sad for having scared the kittens. But she just cannot contain herself. The cycle repeats later, as Sara Ann is playing with the kittens. Then again it repeats at bedtime. At breakfast, Katie has a different kind of mishap when she mistakes the kitten's bowls of food for her own. More words from Sara Ann leave Katie feeling "sadder than ever." Katie heads for bed—and finds some unexpectedly cozy slumbermates alongside when she awakens. As excited as ever, Katie nevertheless manages to tone down her response, pleasing all members of the canine-feline-human family. The DVD version of this "Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year" clocks in at nine minutes, long enough to satisfy but not so long that youngsters would disengage from the tale. Includes an interview with author John Himmelman about the storytelling and illustration processes, as well as a lesson guide for teachers. This title is recommended for preschool through second grade. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green

Children's Literature - Heidi Hauser Green

PreS-Gr 3—Poor Katie! All she wants to do is play with Sara Ann's new kittens, but they are petrified of the white-and-brown spotted pup. "As soon as she saw them, she howled "AROOOOOO! AROOOOOO! She always howled like that when she was very happy." Katie's excitement only results in the three frightened felines fleeing in alarm, clinging to the drapes and lampshade. When her owner admonishes her and insists that she leave them alone until they grow accustomed to her, Katie tries her best to stay away—but how can she resist them? At night, Sara Ann takes the creatures to bed with her, closing the door on Katie. The clever canine goes outside, jumps up to the bedroom window, and gazes longingly. Bedlam ensues as she pounces through the window onto the slumbering pets. In the morning, the eager pooch unwittingly eats their food, incurring her owner's wrath. Ashamed and dejected, Katie takes to her bed and falls asleep. Imagine her surprise and delight when she finally awakens to find the tiny threesome cuddled up on top of her. The endearing little dog is irresistible in this animated rendering of John Himmelman's book (Holt, 2008). The lively, empathetic narration captures Katie's exuberance and remorse, and the hilarious colored pencil-and-watercolor cartoons come to life on the screen. An engaging bonus interview with the author includes childhood photos and reminiscences. A winning package for dog lovers and aspiring young writers and artists.—Barbara Auerbach, P.S. 217, Brooklyn, NY

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