My First Kitten (My First...)
Young Hippo Series
on Goodreads (18)
What’s inside...
Holly is desperate for a kitten to love and care for, but her mum keeps refusing her request. Holly is determined to find a way to persuade her mum to change her mind and allow her to have a kitten.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you like most about the kitten in the story?
How do you think the kitten felt when it arrived at its new home?
What are some ways we could make a new pet feel welcome in our house?
Why is it important to take care of pets?
If you had a kitten, what would you name it and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the story to life, altering your voice for different characters or emotions.
Pause after significant moments in the story to ask your child how they think the characters are feeling.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences, such as a time when they met a new friend or got a new toy.
Discuss the responsibilities of owning a pet and what daily life with a pet might look like.
Encourage empathy by asking your child to consider things from the kitten's perspective.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story follows a child learning to take care of a new kitten, emphasizing the daily duties involved in pet care.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on small responsibilities at home, such as feeding a pet or tidying their room, fostering a sense of accountability.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Through interactions with the kitten, the child learns to recognize and respond to the kitten’s needs and emotions.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of considering other people’s feelings in their daily interactions, promoting kindness and understanding.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The child learns that training and bonding with the kitten takes time and persistence.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to practice patience in achieving personal goals or while interacting with others, improving their emotional resilience.