This winter has been so weird. The kids have been wishing for snow for months, and then, just when we’re ready for spring playdates at the park–it snows?
I can’t complain too much since it’s melted quickly and made for a fun morning activity. But after attending college in Idaho and walking to class (uphill, both ways–of course) on the red lava rock-stained sidewalks, in frigid wind, with frozen nostril hairs from September to April–I don’t get terribly excited about the white fluffies.
Obviously my kids differ.
Even if I’m ready for warmer weather, a cold day is a fun excuse to pop a big bowl of popcorn and cozy in with the kids and a good book. And this snow day inspired us to dig out one of my childhood favorites: The Mitten.
Although there are other more colorful versions, (Jan Brett’s being the most popular), my grandma used to read aloud this 1964 edition, and I still love the way the simple black-line illustrations tell the timeless story.
The Ukranian folk tale begins with a boy who goes to gather firewood on the coldest day of winter and loses one of his mittens.
The lone mitten lying in the snow looks so cozy-warm to a passing mouse who decides to crawl in, get comfy, and stay a while.
But the mouse is soon joined by other friends (frog, owl, rabbit, fox, wolf, boar, and bear) also seeking shelter from the winter chill and so they all settle in–stretching the mitten’s capacity.
Until, the cricket tries to squeeze in . . . .
After reading the book, it’s fun to reinforce comprehension by retelling the story with printable felt story props. Younger kids can also practice sequencing by putting the woodland animals in order from smallest to largest as shown in the story.
The Three Little Kittens activities would be also be a fun followup. Kids can match mittens, compare the similar experiences in the stories (losing a mitten), and relate the text to a time they’ve also lost something.
{Find “The Mitten” story printables, digital felt art files, and Three Little Kitten mitten activities here.}
What book or story-related activities have YOU been up to?
We have a christmas version on this story I am sure… Wish I have been doing some fun activities but no just reading books to the boys. They incorporate the story lines into their dramatic play which is fun to watch.
@libbywilko, Don’t feel guilty :). “Just” reading to them is awesome!!