The Three Little Mittens

Ages 3 to 7, Grades P to 2

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!

About the Author

LINDA BAILEY has written nearly forty books for children. Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein was recently cited as a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, the Globe and Mail, Booklist, the New York Public Library and the CBC, among others. Linda has also been honored with awards that include the Vicky Metcalf Award for her exceptional body of work in children’s literature, the Ontario Blue Spruce and Silver Birch Awards, the California Young Reader Medal, the Georgia Children's Book Award and the U.K. School Library Association Information Book Award. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Author Residence: Vancouver, British Columbia

Author Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba

NATALIA SHALOSHVILI began her creative career as a fashion and editorial illustrator, working with a number of international magazines and creative agencies, including Grazia, Women's Health and Gala. Later, she found her true passion in children's books and paintings. Her original work can be found in private galleries and homes around the globe. Natalia lives in London, England, with her family.

Illustrator Residence:London, England