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Mittens
What's That, Mittens?: A Fun Kitten Book with Read-Aloud Sounds for Children (Ages 4-8)
Mittens the kitten is looking for some fun, but he's all alone! When Mittens hears a scratching noise behind the fence, he digs and digs until he is face to face, eye to eye, and nose to nose with the big dog who lives next door, Max. With fun read-aloud sounds, What’s That, Mittens? is a fun introduction to reading for the youngest readers. This My First I Can Read Book is perfect for shared reading with toddlers and very young children. Basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations make this book just right for the emergent reader.
32 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2008
3 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Lola M. Schaefer
316 books43 followersLola M. Schaefer is an educator, writer, and gardener, and the author of many acclaimed books for children about math, art, science, technology, animals, and nature. She uses shovels, hoes, rakes, and scissors when she works in her garden. Lola M. Shaefer grew up in Indiana, and now lives in northern Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 4, 2026
it was bad
November 24, 2017
I read this to my Granddaughter, several times, and we both had fun discovering what was on the other side of the big fence.
Read
August 9, 2021Aww.... Very simple, but with the hook that a child knows something the character does not, which is always a hit.
March 13, 2024
I liked the dog, Max, and how Mittens found him.
August 10, 2024
3.5/5⭐️
May 16, 2022
A little kitten is lonely for a friend to play with. One day he hears a scratching behind the fence and just has to find out who is there. Cute story in few easy-to-read words and great illustrations.
June 29, 2015
Synopsis: "A big yard can be a lonely place for a little kitten. So when Mittens hears a scratching noise behind the fence, he has to see what is on the other side. It may just be a new friend to play with!
The playful kitten's tale is sure to appeal to beginning readers who like to explore new things and make new friends, just like Mittens!"
My Review: This is a great beginning reader book. It has simple words and sentences but it is still part of a story. Of course Munchkin was very excited that he knew what that noise was and was thrilled when Mittens found out too. It is definitely a story and characters little ones can come to enjoy.
The playful kitten's tale is sure to appeal to beginning readers who like to explore new things and make new friends, just like Mittens!"
My Review: This is a great beginning reader book. It has simple words and sentences but it is still part of a story. Of course Munchkin was very excited that he knew what that noise was and was thrilled when Mittens found out too. It is definitely a story and characters little ones can come to enjoy.
February 15, 2016
What's That, Mittens?
A big yard can be a lonely place for a little kitten. So when Mittens hears a scratching noise behind the fence, he has to see what is on the other side. It may just be a new friend to play with!
The playful kitten's tale is sure to appeal to beginning readers who like to explore new things and make new friends, just like Mittens!
I love animals, especially cats so these books with cats will always be one of my favorites. This is about Mittens who is just exploring her normal day and discovers a dog behind her fence. She digs under the fence to get to the dog, Max and they become friends! This is just a fun cute book to read to my students on any normal day.
A big yard can be a lonely place for a little kitten. So when Mittens hears a scratching noise behind the fence, he has to see what is on the other side. It may just be a new friend to play with!
The playful kitten's tale is sure to appeal to beginning readers who like to explore new things and make new friends, just like Mittens!
I love animals, especially cats so these books with cats will always be one of my favorites. This is about Mittens who is just exploring her normal day and discovers a dog behind her fence. She digs under the fence to get to the dog, Max and they become friends! This is just a fun cute book to read to my students on any normal day.
April 1, 2011
Mittens has no one to play with so when he hears a bark, he goes to investigate by digging a whole beneath the fence separating his yard from the next. This very beginning reader may appeal to Biscuit readers who like cats. The story and words are simple, with animal sounds and some repetition throughout. Excitement is added through actions and exclamation points. This would be book to use in helping students read with fluency and expression. There are several other books with Mittens that should appeal to some children's love for series and recurring characters.
July 7, 2008
Mittens the cat explores his yard, digs under the fence, and finds a new friend in this beginning reader. Watercolors of the playful tabby provide plenty of context clues to aid comprehension. This new title holds plenty of appeal for the Kindergarten-1st grade set just beginning to read with independence.
October 22, 2012
Susan Kathleen Hartung- illustrated
definitely a beginning reader.
definitely a beginning reader.
May 4, 2013
Cute story about a cat and dog becoming friends. They find away to find each other. With the gentle underlying message that new friends come in all sizes.
October 22, 2013
I think this book would be a great book to read about friendship. The book shows children that friends can come in all shapes and sizes.
Read
September 1, 2014This is my first grade collection. The children enjoy reading familiar text.
November 4, 2014
My oldest LOVES this series, and he lights up when we read them. The stories entertain and are easy enough for him to read on his own AND make sound effects!
Want to read
June 20, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13137451
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13137451
December 16, 2016
This was as sweet as all the Mittens books! I love this series and have recommended it on many occasions to new readers. Wonderful story, great illustrations!
Read
April 4, 2017Book title and author/illustrator
What’s That Mittens? by Lola M. Schaefer illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung
Opening line or sentence
Mittens sits alone in the grass.
Professional recommendation
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 8))
In the third entry in this series for the newest readers, an inquisitive, gray-striped kitten named Mittens meets his next-door neighbor, a dog named Max. Using a minimal text in a large font, the simple story introduces Mittens, who plays alone in his fenced-in backyard. Mysterious scratching and barking noises from the other side of the white picket fence ensue, with plenty of leading questions and broad hints that prompt the new reader to predict what will happen to Mittens next. Soon the kitten and the unseen critter are both digging away on their respective sides of the fence to mutually beneficial effect, leading to a budding friendship. The author skillfully integrates short exclamations and animal sounds into the text, moving the story along and adding sensory details within the early-reader format. Hartung's soft-focus watercolor illustrations imbue the appealing kitten and the big (but friendly) dog with a perky sweetness that will charm the youngest readers. 2008, HarperCollins, 32p, $16.99. Category: Early reader. Ages 4 to 7. © 2008 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Professional recommendation
Sara Lorimer (Children's Literature )
Mittens, an adorable gray kitten, sits in the grass. He is all alone. He is looking for some fun. He plays with a ball, sniffs at a worm and practices flipping his tail back and forth. Then what s that? he hears, Scratch! Scratch! There s a sound coming from the other side of the white picket fence. He scratches in the dirt and meows at the fence, and someone barks back at him. Something digs under the fence from the other side. Mittens digs from his side. Soon there s a big hole and Max! Mittens crawls under the fence and is face to face with Max, a huge puppy (a St. Bernard, perhaps). Mittens has found a friend! This gentle, cheerful book will be perfect for little children in their babies/puppies/kittens/cuteness phase. The full-color illustrations are cute without being saccharine. Get this for your kids, and expect to read it over and over and over.
A brief book summary (2-3 sentences in your own words)
Mittens the cat, is trying to figure out what to do and plays around the back yard by herself. Soon she hears something behind the fence and digs until she finds a new dog friend named Max.
Personal response to professional recommendations
I agreed with both of the professional recommendations. The watercolor illustrations create a calm atmosphere that appeals to children. The use of many exclamations and short phrases make it so that the reader can easily understand the plot as well as become aware of the repetitive words throughout the book.
Thoughtful consideration of literary merit and picture book analysis using course vocabulary
I thought that this book did a good job of keeping a basic plot relatively fun to read. It engages the reader and its use of illustrations enhances the overall plot.
Description of possible instructional application.
This book could be used to show children how to different punctuation can be utilized to show different emotion as well as inflection within the writing. An activity that could be used as an extension to this book could be learning about a cat’s life and the similarities and differences between cats and dogs.
What’s That Mittens? by Lola M. Schaefer illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung
Opening line or sentence
Mittens sits alone in the grass.
Professional recommendation
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 8))
In the third entry in this series for the newest readers, an inquisitive, gray-striped kitten named Mittens meets his next-door neighbor, a dog named Max. Using a minimal text in a large font, the simple story introduces Mittens, who plays alone in his fenced-in backyard. Mysterious scratching and barking noises from the other side of the white picket fence ensue, with plenty of leading questions and broad hints that prompt the new reader to predict what will happen to Mittens next. Soon the kitten and the unseen critter are both digging away on their respective sides of the fence to mutually beneficial effect, leading to a budding friendship. The author skillfully integrates short exclamations and animal sounds into the text, moving the story along and adding sensory details within the early-reader format. Hartung's soft-focus watercolor illustrations imbue the appealing kitten and the big (but friendly) dog with a perky sweetness that will charm the youngest readers. 2008, HarperCollins, 32p, $16.99. Category: Early reader. Ages 4 to 7. © 2008 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Professional recommendation
Sara Lorimer (Children's Literature )
Mittens, an adorable gray kitten, sits in the grass. He is all alone. He is looking for some fun. He plays with a ball, sniffs at a worm and practices flipping his tail back and forth. Then what s that? he hears, Scratch! Scratch! There s a sound coming from the other side of the white picket fence. He scratches in the dirt and meows at the fence, and someone barks back at him. Something digs under the fence from the other side. Mittens digs from his side. Soon there s a big hole and Max! Mittens crawls under the fence and is face to face with Max, a huge puppy (a St. Bernard, perhaps). Mittens has found a friend! This gentle, cheerful book will be perfect for little children in their babies/puppies/kittens/cuteness phase. The full-color illustrations are cute without being saccharine. Get this for your kids, and expect to read it over and over and over.
A brief book summary (2-3 sentences in your own words)
Mittens the cat, is trying to figure out what to do and plays around the back yard by herself. Soon she hears something behind the fence and digs until she finds a new dog friend named Max.
Personal response to professional recommendations
I agreed with both of the professional recommendations. The watercolor illustrations create a calm atmosphere that appeals to children. The use of many exclamations and short phrases make it so that the reader can easily understand the plot as well as become aware of the repetitive words throughout the book.
Thoughtful consideration of literary merit and picture book analysis using course vocabulary
I thought that this book did a good job of keeping a basic plot relatively fun to read. It engages the reader and its use of illustrations enhances the overall plot.
Description of possible instructional application.
This book could be used to show children how to different punctuation can be utilized to show different emotion as well as inflection within the writing. An activity that could be used as an extension to this book could be learning about a cat’s life and the similarities and differences between cats and dogs.
March 29, 2018
Nice beginner reading book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews