Mama Cat has three kittens

Title: Mama Cat has three kittens

Author and Illustrator: Denise Fleming

Publisher and date of Publication: Henry Holt and Company, 1998

Genre: Picture Book, Fiction

Age Range: K-2nd Grade

Summary: This book is a cute story of Mama Cat and her three kittens. Everything that Mama Cat does, Fluffy and Skinny copy her...and Boris naps. At the end of the story Mama Cat and two kittens start to nap and Boris wakes up and pounces on Mama Cat then naps.

Response: I think that this book is such a cute picture book for beginner readers. Young children who are animal lovers will love this story. A teacher may also read this story to the whole class. Children may identify with one kitten. They may be the Boris, or the Mama Cat of their family. I love how Fleming makes the illustrations for her picture books. I have always loved cats and still have a couple at home. Many children also love cats and the different personalities that each cat has. On one page, Fleming tells what Mama Cat did, then the next page tells what the three kittens did. If this book was read aloud in class, young children could guess what the kittens are going to do after hearing what Mama Cat has done.

Teaching Ideas: Picture books by Denise Fleming are great to read aloud in class. I think with this book, students could describe a time when they have felt like Boris; when they have been the outcast and finally decided to come in and do what everyone else is doing and suddenly, they have started following you. They could also rewrite their own version of this story with their favorite animal.