The Mitten - Winter Picture Books

The Mitten
Retold By Alvin Tresselt
Illustrated by Yaroslava
(Lothrop, Lee & Shepherd Co., Inc., 1964)

I do love old books. This edition of The Mitten is almost as old as I am.

The tone of The Mitten by Tresselt and Yaroslava is set by the choice to use a minimal color palette. Blue, white, and black create cold winter scenes, while on alternating pages limited color additions keep the tone cold yet vibrant. The illustrations are simple, uncluttered, and adorable.

The story of The Mitten is familiar to many. In this version, a boy, unnamed, is collecting wood for his grandmother. He drops a mitten, and continues on his task, unaware of the story that unfolds behind his back. As with most retellings of The Mitten, this one introduces animals that come one-by-one to snuggle together in the warmth of the mitten. With disastrous results.


KID KANDY:

~ Check out as many versions of The Mitten that you can find. Look at the library, bookstore, or online.

~ Read and compare the different versions. There are a surprising number of variations. This is a great way to point out different techniques in illustrating and storytelling. The language and word choices used by different storytellers is fascinating.

~ Make your own version for retelling fun.

1. Cut 2 large mitten shapes from a file folder. Punch holes and use yarn to sew the edges (not the top) together.

2. Cut out a child and animals from magazines. Glue to cardstock and trim off extra edges.

3. Arrange in order - child, animals from smallest to largest, and the animal that breaks the mitten at the end.

4. Retell. Use funny voices. Let your child be as silly, scary, or adventurous as she wants. Have fun interacting with books.


Feel free to share the ideas found in this blog. I would love to hear how your KID KANDY escapades work out.


KID KANDY is a book extension feature for kids and their families. If a child has a fun activity to do after reading a book (or before reading a book), the ideas and information in the book are more likely to stick. We know that the more kids love books, the more they read. And the more they read, the more they internalize things like story structure, character development, language, conflict, and creativity. And the love of both reading and exploring is encouraged to grow deep and rich in the life of kids.


Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.