The Mitten

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

The Mitten            Adapted and illustrated by:  Jan Brett

Ages:  Preschool through Second Grade

Jan Brett is an amazing story teller and illustrator, as can be seen in this amazing tale of the white mitten that got lost in the snow.  The lost mitten becomes a refuse for a number of animals trying to stay warm, but it eventually makes its way back to its owner.  Ms. Brett always provides side pictures in her books to help the readers predict what is coming next.  The Mitten provides opportunities for vocabulary development and sequencing.  It is just a beautiful winter experience that children will love.

 

 

Tips for Reading:

• As you read through the story, ask the child to look at the side pictures to make predictions about what might be happening next.
• As you are reading the story, discuss with the child some of the vocabulary that may not be familiar to them such as Baba, burrowed, commotion, etc.
• After reading the story, ask the child to recall the animals that went into the mitten.
• After reading, ask the child to recall why each animal allowed the next animal to enter the mitten.
• After reading, ask the child to recall the last animal that snuggled into the mitten and what happened.
• After reading the story, ask the child to look at the last picture in the book and tell why Baba seemed so puzzled.

Additional Books by Jan Brett:

• The Hat            
• The Gingerbread Baby
• Gingerbread Friends
• Hedgie’s Surprise
• The Umbrella
• Daisy Comes Home

 

Cooking Time:

Snowmen Stew

Since we are reading a book about winter time, it only seems appropriate to have some comfort food.  This hearty stew is made special by adding the mashed potato snowmen to the top.  Children can help by adding the ingredients, decorating the snowmen and kitchen clean-up.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

1 pound lean ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped potatoes

1/2 cup green beans cut into bite-sized pieces

1 cup frozen peas

1 jar (12 ounces) beef gravy

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 package pre-made mashed potatoes (24 ounces)

16 peppercorns

24 additional frozen peas, thawed

Carrot pieces for the noses

Ketchup

• In a skillet, cook the ground beef and onions until no pink is showing and the onions are translucent. Drain.
• Place the chopped carrots, potatoes and green beans in a bowl and microwave for 6 minutes or until near tender.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef mixture and vegetable mixture.
• Add the frozen peas, gravy, salt and pepper and mix.
• Pour beef and vegetable mixture into a 9 inch deep dish pie pan.
• To make the snowmen, use 3 tablespoons of mashed potatoes for the body and 1 tablespoon for the head.
• Make 8 snowmen to cover the stew.
• Bake the stew, uncovered for 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
• Remove the stew and finish decorating the snowmen.
• Place the additional peas on the body for buttons.
• Use the peppercorns for eyes.
• Use the small carrot slices for the noses.
• Use Ketchup to form the scarves around the snowmen’s necks.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

 

Mitten Chocolate Chip Cookies

Since our story is about a mitten, it seems fitting to make mitten cookies.  This recipe is a variation of chocolate chip cookies that can be formed into mittens using a cookie cutter.  If you don’t have a cookie cutter, they can be made into regular chocolate chip cookies.  Children can help by cracking the eggs, adding the ingredients and decorating the mittens.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup softened butter

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 large eggs

2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Frosting in a tube with decorating tips

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.
• Using a mixer, cream the butter, shortening, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy.  (3 to 5 minutes)
• Add the vanilla and mix.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
• Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until well blended.
• Stir in the mini chocolate chips by hand.
• Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 4 balls.
• On a lightly floured board or counter, using your hands, press a ball of dough until it is flat, about 1/8 inch thick.
• Press the mitten cookie cutter into the dough.
• Using a spatula, place the mitten onto the baking sheet.
• Continue until all of the dough is used.
• Bake the cookies in a 375 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until they are light brown in color.
• Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
• Remove the cookies from the baking sheets and return them to the wire rack to finish cooling.
• Once cooled, attach a decorating tip to the tube of frosting and have fun decorating each mitten.

Makes approximately 20 large mitten cookies or 4 dozen drop cookies.