When a little boy loses a mitten in the snow, a passing squirrel finds it's the perfect place to warm his icy toes. So he sqe-e-e-e-zes inside. Bu...
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Dec 01, 2010
Abigail
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Exactly how many versions of this old Ukrainian folktale, in which a lost mitten provides temporary shelter to an assortment of wild creatures, have I read? Well, let's see... there Jan Brett's The Mitten, currently in print, and probably the best known adaptation of this story in the United States. There's Alvin Tresselt's classic retelling from the 1960s, recently made available again; Irina Zheleznova's The Old Man's Mitten, printed in the former USSR for the English-language audience; and (o
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Dec 09, 2010
Lisa
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Ooh, I am so glad I read this. I’m a huge fan of McClintock's illustrations and I have been wanting to read all of her books. Over at the Children's Books group, the December theme for the Picture Books Club is winter, and the Jan Brett version of this folk tale is one of the selected books, but some members are reading other versions in addition to or instead of that one. I loved the Jan Brett version and I think I love this one even more.
I can understand why there are so many ver More...
I can understand why there are so many ver More...
5 comments
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Sep 05, 2010
Eva
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I'm not sure why I can't find it but we read another story, very similiar to this, only a few weeks ago. I've checked my books on here, I've checked other reviewers links on here, I've looked through the actual books here, and nothing. I'm so annoyed right now I can barely see straight.
We also both liked this far more. I'm not sure if that's because we read them so close together or because they're so similiar that it wouldn't have mattered when each was read or what. But either way this More...
We also both liked this far more. I'm not sure if that's because we read them so close together or because they're so similiar that it wouldn't have mattered when each was read or what. But either way this More...
Apr 06, 2011
Kelley
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I picked this book when I saw it because when I worked in Denver Public Schools it was my favorite book to read to the children. I did not yet have my own children so was so excited when I got to read to the little ones. I love this book because it shows great sharing skills. It shows kids that everyone can work together, no matter what kind of ANIMAL you are. They are animals in the story but can easily be told to little kids as them working together. I love the pictures in this book and how s
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Nov 18, 2010
Janessa
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My new favorite book. It is a rendition of a classic story: a boy accidently leaves a mitten in the woods, and several woodland animals snuggle inside the mitten to get warm, stretching the knitted fibers farther than they are intended to go. What makes it stand apart are the priceless expressions on each animal's face as they plead for a spot inside the mitten, and the sweet relationship between the boy who loses his mitten and his loving, patient grandmother. She knits him mittens and scarv
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Apr 22, 2010
Jess
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I really enjoyed The Mitten. When the boy loses his mitten, he has no idea that a whole bunch of different animals (from the large to the small: a bear to a mouse) has decided to stay warm inside his mitten. When he and his grandmother go out to retrieve it, the mitten has exploded into a bunch of bits as the animals were just too much for it to hold. I liked the repetition in the story, and the fact that all of the animals continued to make room for more and more animals. The grandmother's love
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Feb 18, 2011
Lisa
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I enjoyed this version of the classic folktale as well. The story was retold in a classic, rhytmic way that is easy for children to pay attention to. The pictures were bright and full of detail that captured the readers attention. I loved how the red mitten popped against the background of the pure white snow. Reading this book makes you want to jump in the snow and play and it also makes children wonder what the animals are doing in the snow when we're not around. This was a charming versi
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Feb 22, 2011
Jackie
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We all know this tale of the lost mitten that gets put to better use by the forest animals, but what makes this version so spectacular is the delightful, giggle-inducing illustrations that capture the expressions of the delightful animals exquisitely.
A little boy loved by his grandmother lost a red mitten that was so tenderly knitted by her. During the night, many creatures of the forest find the mitten and decide to make it their cozy home. When one too many crawls into the little More...
A little boy loved by his grandmother lost a red mitten that was so tenderly knitted by her. During the night, many creatures of the forest find the mitten and decide to make it their cozy home. When one too many crawls into the little More...
Jan 23, 2012
Vivian
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The version by Jim Aylesworth is the best for performing to an audience. First, it has only five animals. Second, it has repetitive text told in verse. Each time an animal is introduced it says “Brrrr” (which you can invite the children to say with you as you hug yourself and shiver). Invite the children to repeat with you the phrases, “No Room!”, “Go away!”, “Please!”, “Oh, okay!” Invite the children to all take a deep breath with you at the point in the story where all the animals do this at o
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Dec 07, 2010
Kathryn
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Loved it! This is the story of a little boy who loves winter and loves to play outside and his grandmother, who loves him very much, always knits him wonderfully warm hats and sweaters and mittens for him to bundle up in when he goes outside. One day, though, he loses a mitten; but it becomes a warm place for various woodland creatures to warm their toes. It all gets over-exaggerated and a bit absurd as so many creatures (and big ones, at that!) cram into the tiny mitten, but that just adds to
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Feb 04, 2010
Diana
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After a little boy loses a mitten while playing on a cold winter day, five animals find the mitten and use it to warm their "cold toes". Everyone is warm and cozy until the last occupant, the mouse attempts to fill one small spot left in the cozy mitten. As the other four let out their breath to fall asleep, the mitten gives way and breaks into thousands of pieces. An inventive and fun way to look at a classic folktale, this is a book you will want to add to your "mitten collec
Nov 29, 2011
Jennifer
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Loved the repetitious elements of the story, particularly that they didn't go overboard. The kids really liked this one - I'd say it's good for Preschool up through grades 1 or 2. Barbara McClintock illustrates in ink, gouache, and watercolor. McClintock uses a muted palette (except for the bright red mitten) and detailed linework that gives the illustrations an old-fashioned feel, but also includes plenty of humor, particularly in the animal faces and the squeezing into the mitten bits. The il
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Oct 25, 2009
Youth Services
rated it:
This is another version of the classic Ukrainian folktale about one animal after another fitting into a boy's lost mitten, and draws its inspiration from other picture books -- versions by Jan Brett and Alvin Tresselt come to mind. But this one has plenty of its own charm -- nice illustrations, and repetition make this a great story for young kids -- they'll definitely laugh at the yarn explosion!
Lisle Library Call #: E AYL
Lisle Library Call #: E AYL
Dec 05, 2010
Jenny
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This is a slightly different version of The Mitten than the Jan Brett one. This was my first time reading this version. I really liked the cumulative tale aspect of this retelling. It was fun to compare which animals came and squeezed into the mitten in each story and to compare the different endings. My 7 yo really liked the pictures on the first page that looked like little frames around each picture.
Jan 30, 2010
Ramarie
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While I don't particularly care for McClintock's old-fashioned-type illustrations, I enjoyed the new telling of this story...and the double-page spreads, especially when the mitten completely splits and pieces go everywhere, have a lot of energy to them.
It made me want to gather all the picture books with this theme--Mushroom in the Rain came to mind--and do a themed storytime for elementary kids.
It made me want to gather all the picture books with this theme--Mushroom in the Rain came to mind--and do a themed storytime for elementary kids.
Dec 20, 2011
Susie
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I agree with the reviewer who said this version is the best for a performance; I witnessed this with 2nd and 3rd graders taking the parts in a semi-readers' theatre production. The students applauded at the end. The students are a bit surprised by the end, but I also agree that the grandmother's love is an important facet. The illustrations do a great job of moving the story forward as well.
Feb 06, 2011
Janet
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Yes, another book of the motif of the overstuffed lost mitten. I did like the more present Grandmother in this version, making for a more homelike story that might actually happen. Highlight were the illustrations of the overstuffed mitten bursting into tiny pieces of yarn and the final one of the Grandmother knitting a new mitten while the boy and his cat play on the floor with a ball of yarn.
Nov 03, 2011
Amanda
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An excellent drama activity goes along with this book. Children all choose animals they want to be and they practice walking and acting like that animal. Read the story and have each 'animal' join in at the appropriate time. (Note: students can choose animals not in the story and there can be more than one; the teacher just has to adjust the story slightly.) Use a large blanket as the 'mitten' and everyone can jump out at the end. Lots of fun!
Mar 10, 2011
10-11 Adrian
rated it:
This book is about a boy who gets mittens from his grandma.When he goes outside to play he loses one but doesn't notice.When he goes back inside and finds out he doesn't have one he tells his grandma.His grandma says they will look for it tomorow.What they don't know is that The mitten is about to go through some changes.
Jan 12, 2011
10-11Randall
rated it:
My librarian read this and the other version to our class to compare and contrast the simalarities and differences,in this veresion the mitten was white and it blended in with the snow, and some of the animals were different and in both versions the bear fitts but the mouse makes it ekolode or fly away.
Dec 07, 2009
Chandra
rated it:
Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock are a fabulous picture book team! In my mind McClintock has very little competition in the realm of illustration and Aylesworth is just a fantastic storyteller. His work is made for reading aloud and this one is no exception.
This story of a lost and repurposed mitten is told through gentle and humorous repetition and accompanied by delightful old fashioned looking illustrations. Aylesworth and McClintock's other collaborations - (The Gingerb More...
This story of a lost and repurposed mitten is told through gentle and humorous repetition and accompanied by delightful old fashioned looking illustrations. Aylesworth and McClintock's other collaborations - (The Gingerb More...
3 comments
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Jan 25, 2011
Gracellyn
rated it:
I just read this book when I was babysitting last week, and I thought it was too cute! I usually don't add younger books like this on Goodreads, but the illustrations were amazing, and whenever I babysit a certain little two year old, I always want to read this adorable book. :)
May 19, 2011
Very much like the one by Jan Brett without the amazing detail in the illustrations. It's still a good and interesting retelling. It was funny when the animals tried to squeeze into the mitten because the other animals made goofy faces.
Apr 27, 2011
Angela
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I really like this story! Although, it has been around for awhile, this is my first time reading it. I like how a variety of animals find shelter in the little boy's lost mitten. This is a fun tale for kids of all ages.
Feb 23, 2011
Sara
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Such a charming tale! A little silly, very sweet and wonderful to read on a snow day. The hot chocolate recipe on the back cover demonstrates how much care went into making this book an experience instead of just a story.
Jan 20, 2010
Tricia
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Brand new rendition of a classic winter story. Repetition makes for a fun readaloud--illustrations are warm and fun. This would be a fun puppet play if the mitten part could be figured out.
Mar 13, 2010
Themes: winter, mittens, snow, animals, fox, squirrel, rabbit, bear, mouse,
Notes: small illustrations (hard for storytimes) but well done! Cute version to recommend.
Notes: small illustrations (hard for storytimes) but well done! Cute version to recommend.
Jan 12, 2010
An adaptaton of the Ukranian folktale 'Teremok'. For us Americans, it is a retelling of 'Thudwick the big hearted Moose' by Dr. Suess. Sounds adorable in this retelling.
Jul 14, 2011
Becky
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This would be great to use to have the children compare Jan Brett's version and this version. You could use it to work on or teach compare and contrast.
Jan 07, 2010
Anne
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Shared this with kids at wcns yesterday
they hung on every word
nice to read in companion with Jan Brett's version for noticing similarities and differences
they hung on every word
nice to read in companion with Jan Brett's version for noticing similarities and differences
