The story of The Mitten is set in the forest in Ukraine and told from a child’s perspective. This certainly allows for the magical idea that a mitten might expand to accommodate a collection of animals well beyond its own size. In both versions, the illustrations show the life and culture of the young boy and his grandmother through objects in their home, the clothing they each wear, and even the costumes worn by the animals. Both books provide clear images of different aspects of authentic Ukrainian folk culture. These areas of material culture are dominant in the storytelling and they are among the most accessible forms of material culture for young students. The richness of this information will enhance the students’ knowledge of the story, the region, and the culture.
