Mittens

by Lola M. ScKaefer* pictures by Susan Kathleen. Hartung

■i 4



.■/ '
.

• 'X

Dear Parent:
Your child’s love of reading starts here!

Every child learns to read in a different way and at his or her own
speed. Some go back and forth between reading levels and read
favorite books again and again. Others read through each level in
order. You can help your young reader improve and become more
confident by encouraging his or her own interests and abilities. From
books your child reads with you to the first books he or she reads
alone, there are I Can Read Books for every stage of reading:

SHARED READING

Basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations,
ideal for sharing with your emergent reader

BEGINNING READING

Short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts
for children eager to read on their own

READING WITH HELP

Engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play
for developing readers

READING ALONE

Complex plots, challenging vocabulary, and high-interest topics

for the independent reader •

ADVANCED READING

Short paragraphs, chapters, and exciting themes
for the perfect bridge to chapter books

I Can Read Books have introduced children to the joy of reading

since 1957. Featuring award-winning authors and illustrators and a
fabulous cast of beloved characters, I Can Read Books set the
standard for beginning readers.

A lifetime of discovery begins with the magical words “I Can Read!”

Visit www.icanread.com for information
on enriching your child’s reading experience.

V

/

In memory of our cat Dickens
—L.M.S.

To Rob and Cyndi
—S.K.H.

HarperCollins®, and I Can Read Book® are trademarks of HarperCollins Publishers.

Mittens Text copyright © 2006 by Lola M. Schaefer Illustrations copyright © 2006 by Susan Kathleen Hartung All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations
embodied in critical articles and reviews. Printed in the United States of America. For information address HarperCollins Children’s Books,
a division of HarperCollins Publishers, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022. www.harpercollinschildrens.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data 2005019485
Schaefer, Lola M., date Mittens / story by Lola M. Schaefer ; pictures by Susan Kathleen Hartung.— 1st ed.

p. cm. — (My first I can read book)
Summary: Nick helps Mittens the kitten adjust to life in a new home.
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-054659-5 (trade bdg.) ISBN-10: 0-06-054659-X (trade bdg.)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-054660-1 (lib. bdg.) ISBN-10: 0-06-054660-3 (lib. bdg.)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-054661-8 (pbk.) ISBN-10: 0-06-054661-1 (pbk.)
[1. Cats—Fiction. 2. Animals—Infancy—Fiction.] I. Hartung, Susan Kathleen, ill. II. Title. III. Series.
PZ7.S33233Mit 2006
[E]—dc22

11 12 13 LP/WOR 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

story by Lola M. Schaefer
pictures by Susan Kathleen Hartung

W^v^trCoWmsPublishers

Mhi

Nick has a new kitten.
His name is Mittens.
“Mittens, this is
your new home,” says Nick.

3

Mittens looks around.
Everything is new and big!
Mittens is scared.

4



Mittens wants a hiding place.
He wants a small place
just for him.

6

Zoom! /

Mittens runs out of the room.

7

t

Zoom!
Mittens runs behind the T.V.

8

It is too loud.

9

Zoom!
Mittens runs under the sofa.

10

It is too dark

Zoom!

12

Mittens runs down the hall
and under a bed.

13





But everything is still new.
Mittens is still scared!
Mittens cries, “Meow!”

16

“Mittens, where are you?”
calls Nick.

»wfi

'vS? SpSsfcfs

altp &*4$£

&&2g38i

“Meow! Meow! Meow!”

18

IKail

V-.’’ •

• $7 W" ■W.

fi fe

There you are. ..., .:'■ • lEsWro’wS
Don’t cry, Mittens,
says Nick. " • • V}r-:\,t 3QHrij$ta$E

19

Nick lies down.
“You are safe now,” says Nick.
“I will take care of you.”

20



if

Mittens moves toward Nick.
“I will be your friend,”
says Nick.

Mittens comes closer.

/

Nick waits.

Mittens curls up next to Nick.
“Welcome home, Mittens,”
says Nick.

Purrrrrr.

25

t



4





BCPL

Baltimore County
Public Library

l_.

NOVEMBER 2011

l r.an Readi

Mittens is a small,
shy kitten in a big,
new house. Will he
find a place just
for him?

Ideal for sharing with emergent readers I
Simple sentences for eager new readers
High-interest stories for developing readers
Complex plots for confident readers
The perfect bridge to chapter books

FollkttBound' III ISBN 978-1-428-75384-6
yffnfinunt
9781428753846 Nil UNI Illlllll till II11||| H

2016-02-1710:21 22

V