Recent Reads: The Three Little Mittens by Linda Bailey

Source: From LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Three Little Mittens by Linda Bailey 

Publisher: Tundra Books
Publication Date:  October 24, 2023

 

Format: Hardback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A single mitten is excluded by a matching pair in this endearing picture book about friendship, belonging and the pressure to "match." For fans of The Day the Crayons Quit .

Dotty and Other Dotty are a matching set of mittens. When another mitten, Stripes, loses her partner and becomes a single mitten, they don't feel the need to include her. She doesn't "match" them, so she is banished to the dark, lonely pocket of the Little Girl who owns them. Before long, however, Dotty loses her partner, and now she doesn't match the reunited pair of Stripes and Other Stripes, who in turn banish her to the pocket. "YOU don't match!" they tell her.

When the Little Girl, who has been listening to their conversations, weighs in with a huge question ("Why do you have to match?"), the mittens are shocked. Then comes their realization that "matching" often means leaving someone out. This prompts the Little Girl to break a fundamental rule of fashion so that individual mittens (and maybe even socks! or shoes!) can be themselves — and everyone can belong.

A warm and fuzzy story with lots of laughs, this latest picture book from Linda Bailey explores what it feels like to be excluded and included and celebrates one-of-a-kindness!

Review: 

This is a picture book about mittens, Dotty and Other Dotty, they are a pair and they get very snarky at Stripes, who is missing their match. Tables turn with Other Dotty is left, and now Dotty has to be worn with Stripes, they become friends along the way. Until Other Stripes is found. When the Stripes start to tell Dotty that she is on her own, the little girl chimes in that they could always be mis-matched and that is fine, and then everyone would get a chance, and pull out a bin of other lost matches. The mittens are all thrilled to be out playing again and teh socks and shoes tag along too. 

This was a fun book about getting creative. I liked the sustainability aspect of it, mismatched mittens are still fine. The illustration was whimsical and 'puffy' which was good for the illustration of the mittens and gloves. I think kids will love it and want to mis-match all their things too. 

Overall, adorable, fun story perfect for the winter season.