The Mitten
What’s inside...
In this bestselling modern classic, a young boy named Nicki loses his white mitten in the snow, unaware that it is missing. As he continues his snowy outing, various woodland animals, including a mole, rabbit, badger, and bear, discover the mitten and crawl inside, each one larger than the last. The climax occurs when a tiny brown mouse squeezes in, causing a comical sneeze that sends all the animals sprawling. Jan Brett's retelling of this Ukrainian folktale is brought to life with her distinctive and detailed illustrations, making it a family favorite and a wonderful gift for young readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think each animal felt when they crawled into the mitten?
Why do you think the mitten was able to stretch so much?
How do you think the boy felt when he found his mitten at the end of the story?
If you were an animal in the story, which one would you want to be and why?
What lesson can we learn about sharing from the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine the sensations, like how the animals might feel being snug inside the mitten.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at several points during the story to build anticipation and engagement.
Relate the story to your child's experiences with losing an item and discuss the feelings associated with it.
After reading, involve your child in a fun activity like drawing their favorite scene or character from the book.
Discuss the importance of sharing and kindness with your child, using examples from the book and connecting them to real-life scenarios.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sharing and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'The Mitten', various animals share a single mitten for warmth, demonstrating the power of cooperation and sharing even in cramped conditions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share toys and space with their siblings or classmates, understanding that working together can lead to beneficial outcomes for everyone involved.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: As more animals squeeze into the mitten, they must figure out how to fit without breaking the mitten. This showcases their problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively and collaboratively to solve problems, whether it's figuring out how to share limited resources or coming up with a game everyone can play.
Example Lesson: Respect for Others' Belongings
Explanation: The story revolves around a lost mitten that becomes a temporary home for the animals, highlighting the need to respect and take care of others' property.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of respecting others' belongings and understanding that what belongs to someone else needs to be treated with care.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The animals in the story adapt to an unexpected situation by finding shelter in the mitten. This highlights the importance of being flexible and adapting to new situations.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to be adaptable in their own lives, such as adjusting to changes at school or home with a positive attitude.