I have such tender memories about the "Mitten" book. I read a similar story when I was little, and now, I am so excited to share this beautiful book ~ The Mitten by Jan Brett (buy here) with you!
This plot exists in many cultures, but it originated in 🇺🇦 Ukrainian folklore.
This edition is our favorite as Jan Brett brings animals to life with much warmth and appeal.
Jan Brett's illustrations are full of visual delights and intricate details faithful to the Ukrainian tradition.
Every time we read The Mitten book (at least once a day during Christmas season and weekly during the snowy cold winter months), we feel like we are transported to a snowed-in Ukrainian village where we embark on this beautiful adventure of Nicki.
We love snow, and we love creating fairy-tale settings for our children to play out their imagination. (I wrote about the importance of imaginary play in child's development here.) So, here, we created Nicki's Ukrainian village, and let our children role-play the characters, with forest animals and this doll family.
Grandmother knits snow-white mittens for Nicki, one of which he loses.
Nicki then, walking through the woods and unaware of what he is doing, disturbs forest animals, who in turn find a home in his lost mitten, making room for each newcomer.
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.
The little mouse's tail tickles the bear's nose … And guess what happens next?
This is a Russian version of "The Mitten" Book which I used to read when I was little.
What is your favorite ❄️Winter book?
For holiday-inspired reading, see here "🎄Christmas 🎅🏻 Inspired Holiday 📚Books."
1 Comment
How beautiful!