Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Mitten by Jim Aylesworth


Book Jacket

One day, while sledding in the snow, a little boy loses his red woolen mitten.

Meanwhile, a passing squirrel finds that the cozy mitten is the perfect place to warm his icy toes.  So he sque-e-e-ezes inside.  But the squirrel is not the only animal with that idea.  How many animals can fit inside the little boy's mitten?

Jim Aylesworth's fresh, spirited rendition of this favorite classic begs to be read aloud.  And Barbara McClintock's delightfully expressive animals bring the story to its rousing climax.  The youngest readers and listeners will be surprised and enchanted by this tale that is as heartwarming and delicious as a mug of hot cocoa.

Review

I am usually quite willing and able to suspend disbelief while engaging with stories.  But for some reason, The Mitten was too ridiculous for me to handle.  My brain works in weird ways.

But really.  What kid loses a mitten and doesn't even realize it until he gets home?  Did he not feel that one hand was much colder than the other?  Does he have a rule about never looking at his hands while outdoors? 

And a squirrel, rabbit, fox, AND BEAR can fit in a child's mitten?  Ahem.  Let's say I accept that ludicrous premise.  But to then say that a tiny mouse is too much for the mitten to handle without exploding into yarny smithereens?  Nope, I don't like it.

Finally, those poor animals!  Their toes were cold, so they found a nice warm place to cuddle up with their friends and then....they just go their separate ways?  How will they stay warm now!?

This is a tragic story.  Nevermind the boy and his grandma who loves him.

Two out of five squirrel expressions.

Release Date: October 2009
Reading Level: Grade PreK+
Where In Dunlap Public Library's Collection: MONARCH

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