The Tale of Tom Kitten by Beatrix Potter

First published 1907
60 pages, 28 color illustrations

Keeping clean and dressed for a tea party is more that Tom Kitten and his sisters Mittens and Moppet can manage. Playing soon rids them of their clothes. The clothes are adopted by three puddle-ducks: Jemima, Rebeccah, and Drake. Needless to say, their mother isn't pleased with them.

The History Behind the Tale (Linder 185-187):
Beatrix Potter began planning The Tale of Tom Kitten in the summer of 1906 when she was overhauling the garden at Hilltop Farm. The garden illustrations in the book feature Hilltop Farm's garden. Beatrix Potter did not have a pet cat named Tom so she borrowed one to sketch. Interestingly, the ducks were sketched in London. A cousin owned some and Beatrix went to visit and sketch them.

Miniature Letters (Linder 83-84):
Sally Henny Penny to Tom Kitten
Tom Kitten to Sally Henny Penny
Sally Henny Penny to Puddle-duck family
Puddle-ducks to Sally Henny Penny
Rebeccah Puddle-duck to Ribby
Ribby to Rebeccah

All about a party and a sore throat.

My thoughts: I think Tom Kitten is going to be one of my favorites. I was glad to see some familiar faces and names: Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit from The Tale of the Pie and the Patty Pan and Sally Henny Penny from The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. I wonder if Tom's sister Moppet is the same as Miss Moppet from The Story of Miss Moppet? The illustrations are beautiful especially the garden ones. I think Tom, Mittens, and Moppet will really appeal to children--they get up to the same mischief.

Favorite Illustrations: Tabitha washing Moppet's face )12), Tom in his too little suit (20), Playing the garden, or Tom with butterfly (24), the ducks in the kittens' clothes (44), the ducks looking for the clothes

Activities:
-Pin the coat on Tom
-Button Hunt
-Kitten, Kitten, Puddle-duck

Favorite Words: pinafore, tuckers, difficulties, affronted, dignity, repose

I hope you've enjoyed this week's post. I'll be back next Thursday to discuss The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck.