Read The Shy Little Kitten free for 7 days. £7.99/month after - less than a paperback.

The Shy Little Kitten

byKristen L. Depken

Kristen L. Depken's The Shy Little Kitten is a gentle first story for 5 year olds about the quietest kitten in a litter of six.

What happens

It's a very short retelling of the classic Little Golden Book by Cathleen Schurr, with just two or three words on most lines.

Mama cat has six kittens. One has stripes, and she's very shy. They all tumble down a ladder and roll about in the grass. Then, pop! Up comes a chubby mole.

Off go the mole and the kitten for a walk. They meet a big-mouthed frog, a shaggy puppy and a chattering red squirrel. The puppy knows exactly where mama cat has gone (handy!).

Down the hill, across the brook and onto the farm, where there's a picnic for everyone. Carrots for the rabbits, mash for the pigs, and berries and milk for the kittens.

And then... uh-oh. PLOP! SPLASH! You'll have to see what all the splashing is about.

There are woofs and squirrel chatter to join in with. It's a sweet pick for a little one who takes a while to warm up to new faces.

What to read next

If they enjoy this, The Poky Little Puppy is another classic retold with very few words, as five puppies dig under a fence and one keeps wandering off on his own.

Get the app

Read The Shy Little Kitten and 3,000+ more, free for 7 days.

A library hand-picked by an English teacher, delivered through a calm, ad-free app. If your child already loves reading, we keep up.

£7.99 / month after trial
Less than a single paperback. Cancel anytime.

7-day free trial. Then £7.99/month.