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The Mitten (20th Anniversary Edition)

Book Summary

Reviewed byPatricia Tauzer

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. 

Is It Any Good?

5
This kind of accumulating story is always entertaining, especially when such large animals squeeze into a very small space ... and somehow there is room for them! But the classic Jan Brett illustrations of this book make an entertaining story so much better. First published in 1989, this book was considered a treasure then; now, a generation later, it comes back to us in a slightly oversized volume, but with the same beautiful animal drawings and the addition of a personal note from the author. It is a treasure, and one of those books that should be shared with every child, especially if grandmother can do the reading!
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