When Nicki drops one of his white mittens in the snow, he does not notice and keeps walking home. One by one, woodland animals find the mitten and crawl in to get warm. The mitten stretches to hold a growing parade of animals until a surprising visitor arrives and the mitten can no longer contain everyone.
The narrator’s soothing voice coupled with the visual details in Jan Brett’s expressive pictures make this read aloud the prefect winter treat (goes especially well with a hot cup of cocoa).
📚 Reading Age & Level
- Lexile Measure: 700L
- Grade Level: PreK–2
- Reading Age: 3–7 years
🎓 Why Parents & Teachers Love It
- Uses Jan Brett’s detailed border art to promote careful observation and vocabulary talk.
- Combines gentle humor with a classic folktale structure that supports comprehension and memory.
- Offers a predictable, building sequence that helps children practise retelling and sequencing.
- Introduces readers to classic folk literature from Eastern Europe, providing an excellent segue for introducing cultural activities and/or geographical concepts.
Want to extend your learning? Check out the hands-on resources below for activities that go along with the story.