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The Mitten

Book Synopsis

When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing.

One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax.

As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki in the borders of each page, walking through the woods unaware of what is going on.

In her distinctive style, Jan Brett brings the animals to life with warmth and humor, and her illustrations are full of visual delights and details faithful to the Ukrainian tradition from which the story comes.

Jan Brett is also the creator of such wintery classics as The Hat, The Snowy Nap, The Three Snow Bears, The Animals’ Santa, and The Night Before Christmas.

Our Review Panel says...

Perfect for those looking for a festive story that does not explicitly mention Christmas, Jan Brett’s The Mitten is a Ukrainian folktale that celebrates finding hospitality and warmth amid the harshness of winter time. When Nicki asks his Baba (grandmother) to knit him mittens as white as snow, she reluctantly agrees, warning him that he will not see them if he drops them in the snow. As Baba predicts, Nicki drops his mitten in the snow and one by one the woodland animals find it and make themselves a cosy home, finding comfort from the bitter cold. We also suggest The Wild Christmas Reindeer by the same author.

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