The Mitten (20th Anniversary Edition) (by Jan Brett)

Adapted from a Ukrainian folktale, this is the story of a lost mitten and the succession of animals that find shelter in its warmth. One by one, the animals move in. First mole, then rabbit, followed by hedgehog, owl, badger, fox, and even a bear. The mitten stretches and stretches to accomodate them all, until in the end a tiny mouse squeezes in, up near the bear's nose ... the bear sneezes ... and, well, that is the end of the cozy home in the snow. 

Painted with nearly dry watercolors, animal characters are sensitively textured and almost looking like woodcuts, but softer, and more expressive. They are set against the billowing blue-toned snow, and  whole scenes are framed by birch bark panels highlighted here and there with  rich colors of embroidered flowers. Details denoting Ukrainian tradition, such as embroidered clothing, painted dishware, fireplace decoration, thatched cottage roof with a stork's nest near the chimney, pitchers on the posts outside, all give a beautifully honest tone to the tale.