Too Many Mittens

Because the whole neighborhood knows the twin boys have lost a red mitten, whenever one is found it is taken to their house, until soon the twins must start a service to return surplus red mittens to their proper owners.

Three previously-published stories of a missing mitten that seems to multiply, a girl who tries to hide from her brothers, and a mermaid whose foghorn-like voice proves useful.

Because the whole neighborhood knows the twin boys have lost a red mitten, whenever one is found it is taken to their house, until soon the twins must start a service to return surplus red mittens to their proper owners.

Molly's parents try various methods to help her remember her mittens but nothing seems to work.

For years, students have asked knitting instructor Mary Scott Huff for a book on their favorite topic--knitting mittens--but one that empowers them to create their own mittens their own way. This is that book. The Mitten Handbook is much more than an instruction book--it provides a list of mitten ingredients (thumbs, cuffs, tops, edgings, and different constructions), then outlines the best tools and techniques for readers to combine them to knit their own unique creations. The book is organized into three sections. The first presents mitten elements, with a menu of choices that makes get­ting custom results easy. The second section covers the key aspects of construction, including how to measure for the perfect fit, yarn and gauge considerations, and which direction to knit. And the final section provides 20 complete mitten patterns.

When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax. As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki in the boarders of each page, walking through the woods unaware of what is going on. Once again Jan Brett has created a dramatic and beautiful picture book in her distinctive style. She brings the animals to life with warmth and humor, and her illustrations are full of visual delights and details faithful to the Ukrainian tradition from which the story comes.

One snowy day an elderly woman, Sarah, watches children gathering at the bus stop. While they never seem to notice her, she notices them, especially one little boy who has no mittens. That night, Sarah knits the boy a pair of cozy mittens and places them on the blue spruce tree for him to discover. It soon becomes a game, with the children looking for new mittens on the mysterious tree every morning, and Sarah joyfully knitting new ones each night. With its touching message and delightful illustrations, adults and children will enjoy this intergenerational tale for years to come.

One mitten can do many things, but when the second mitten is found, it is time to go outside and have fun.