The Mitten String

by Jennifer Rosner, Jennifer Rosner

An original Jewish folktale about a girl who knits, a deaf woman, and a piece of blue yarn. When her family invites a deaf woman and her baby to stay, Ruthie, a talented knitter of mittens, wonders how the mother will know if her child wakes in the night. The surprising answer inspires Ruthie to knit a special gift that offers great comfort to mother and baby—and to Ruthie herself. With language and imagery reminiscent of stories told long ago, this modern Jewish folktale will resonate with those who love crafts, anyone who’s encountered someone who is physically challenged—and with everyone who has ever lost a mitten in the depths of winter.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Jewish, Historical, Family, Disability

Paperback

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

Librarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR

Reviews

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that most children's books strive to teach while being entertaining and fun to read at the same time, but every now and them a book comes along that is so beautiful, so moving and meaningful, it really warms your heart and earns a permanent spot on your child's bookshelf. The Mitten String is such a book. This Jewish folktale about a little girl who tries to help others by knitting warm mittens is truly remarkable and worth introducing to your little ones.

"You are both clever and kind," her mother praises. "You make our world a bit better with every stitch."

Compassion, kindness, sensitivity, acceptance - these are some of the important messages and lessons conveyed by this beautiful story. Little Ruthie is a smart and resourceful girl. Her family is famous for their talent for knitting. Ruthie's mittens keep their fellow villagers warm and happy, and she's always looking for ways to improve them. When her family gives shelter to a deaf woman whose wagon has broken down and her baby, Ruthie observes the way Bayla communicates with her child in sign language and admires the mother's resourcefulness and dedication. She wonders how Bayla knows when her baby needs her at night. Curious, she watches the woman and her baby as they sleep and she learns that the woman ties a string to her wrist and her baby's tiny wrist, and when the baby wakes up and tosses around, the string pulls on the mother's hand, waking her up. This gives Ruthie a very interesting idea...

Jennifer Rosner approaches the subject of deafness and disability with amazing sensitivity and understanding. It isn't an easy thing to accomplish, especially in picture books for children. Bayla's character is based on the author's great-great-aunt and she feels very authentic and portrayed in a respectful way. The thoughtful and meaningful text is further enhanced by Kristina Swarner's gorgeous and unique watercolor illustrations.

The Mitten String is heartfelt and gentle, full of meaning and reflection. This is a story worth reading to your child, for many reasons. A fantastic idea for a gift, and not only for Christmas but all year round.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened upon this while looking for a copy of Jan Brett's The Mitten and the promise of a story about knitting lured me in. Ruthie's family keeps sheep, and they sell their yarn and wool. Ruthie knits mittens for local children. They happen upon a deaf mother and Ruthie comes up with a creative way to improve her quality of life.

I loved, loved, loved this story. The illustrations were as precious as the tale, and there's a knitting and sign language glossary at the end. Bayla, the deaf woman, is not portrayed as weak or needy, but Ruthie provides help when she sees an issue with an easy fix. Bayla, in turn, shows her how to make a dye Ruthie admires. The author got her idea for the tale from her great-great aunt, who lived in Austria in the 19th century.

A wonderful story about helping others, hospitality, and handicrafts.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endearing children's book about a little Jewish girl trying to spread cheer into others' lives with her knitted mittens.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about a Jewish girl, knitting, and deaf adults.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle story with lots going for it -- process from sheep to mitten, young mother who is deaf, thinking of others, having a purpose in life, sign language, and an introduction to the Jewish faith (love your neighbor as yourself).

[Mary Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet story about knitting connections between mother and child, past and present, love and kindness. Beautifully illustrated. Bravo.

[Hailli]

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction. Tells a story that has been made up
Audience: Elementary (2nd-4th)
Text to Text: I am reminded of the book The Mitten when I saw and read this book. Both books are about mittens but also keeping as many characters warm as they can. The two could almost be connecting books if we think about it. The Mitten starts with a grandma knitting mittens and reminds the grandson not to loose a mitten and in The Mitten Strings the little girl knits mittens because many little kids always loose them.
Text to Self: I see myself somewhat in this book. When I see certain things I always want to do more or think of ways I could possibly change or help them.
Text to World: I think this book shows a how small kindness can be but how much it mean is 10 times that amount. It small things someone may see in passing that makes them want to do more for someone.

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

L (5) checked this out of the library as part of a book bundle with the theme "knitting". This ended up being her favorite book from the bundle, and she had me read it to her two nights in a row. It's a sweet story about a young girl who helps her family with their wool and knitting business and her encounter with a young deaf mother. L was fascinated by the whole thing: sheep shearing, how the deaf woman communicated with a slate (this book is seemingly set sometime in the 19th century), the string tying the deaf mother's wrist to her little baby's so she can tell when he's crying at night...S (7) liked this book, too, as evidenced by the fact that he didn't complain about having to listen to it two nights in a row.
I liked the color scheme of the book. I also liked that the characters were Jewish (something my kids didn't even seem to notice, though).

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruthie lives in a family that raises sheep for their wool. Much of the wool is knitted into mittens. The whole process of shearing, carding, dyeing and spinning is mentioned. Then the family meets a deaf woman and her baby. Ruthie comes up with a solution for missing mittens for kids and also a way for the deaf woman to know her baby is awake at night.

This would go very well with a problem solving unit, a farm unit, a communication unit. I would pair it with a video of how yarn gets made.

[Libbie Huhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it incorporated diversity, disabilities, and selflessness all in one. It discusses deafness and sign language and how their communication is different than that of the main character's. She then goes out of her way to make a pair of mittens for the deaf mother and son. This was a heartwarming story and it goes to show that diversity and disabilities are not bad things.

[Betty Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children's picture book was very sweet and inspiring. The beautiful pictures complimented the beautiful story. As a knitter myself, I loved Rutie's mothers compliment "You make our world a bit better with every stitch." It left me with a warmed heart. I enjoyed learning the sign language terms for some knitting terms at the end of the book.

[PJ Hatfield Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knitting as mitzvah!

This little book is beautiful in both illustration and story. I am a knitter who loves signing, as it breaks down barriers between people who experience both typical and unique developmental paths. My heart is singing after finishing this book. I will Be sharing it often with my grandchildren and my Infant Learning families.

[Penny lurkykitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about a young girl called Ruthie whose family owns a sheep farm. Ruthie knits mittens. Her family comes across a deaf woman and her baby who are in need of help. Ruthie and the woman end up learning from each other. I liked the book's emphasis on helping others and the inclusion of a deaf character. Beautifully illustrated.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely picture book is about a young Jewish girl who makes mittens with her family to sell, and who makes a special mitten for a deaf mother and baby whom her family briefly hosts. The illustrations are soft and sweet, and the story conveys great messages about disability, kindness, and the Jewish faith, all without seeming preachy.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It started slow, but ended with a powerful message of kindness. A great addition to the classroom. Exposure to sign language, but not a powerful reference text. The illustrations were far from my favorite, but they matched the text and showed emotion.

[Tinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a young girl showing compassion and understanding towards someone who is different than she. And her parents praise her for it! A good story to read to the young ones of our future.

[Chelsea Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old fashion story with a cute plot and meaning behind it.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely heartfelt children's book that brings to life making yarn, knitting mittens, helping others and learning a new way to communicate! I will be giving this book to loved ones :)

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because of the author. Beautiful story and colorful illustrations.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and simple story about a girl who weaves mittens with her mother and eventually for a deaf woman and her child.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice story that helps children understand a bit about Judaism, being deaf, and working with wool.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

story that included community/caring and also a character who is deaf.

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It was said that Ruthie Tober's family warmed the hands of the entire village."

Gentle story about using our talents to be kind.

One of my teens found it and checked it out to read with me. ❤️ #momwin

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruthie’s family was known for their wool and the mittens they created from it. They sheared their own sheep, prepared their own wool, spun their own yarn. At night, Ruthie and her mother knitted together, with Ruthie in particular making mittens. On market days, they traveled to town to sell their fabric and knitting. One day, they found a woman on the road with her baby where their wagon had broken down. The woman wrote on a slate to communicate, because she was deaf. She used sign language with her little son. Ruthie’s family offered her a place to stay for the night and Ruthie noticed a deep blue piece of yarn around the woman’s wrist. That night, she saw how the women used the yarn to tie herself gently to her baby so that she would know if he needed anything in the night. Ruthie had a great idea and quickly went to work creating a mitten on a string with one sized for an adult and the other for a baby. In return for her kindness, the woman gave Ruthie her string of yarn of the deepest blue and then also showed Ruthie what plant to use to create the blue dye.

As Rosner says in her author’s note, this book is inspired by her great-great-aunt Bayla who was deaf and used the trick of tying a string to her baby’s wrist from her own. She also offers a knitting glossary at the end along with some knitting-related sign language signs. I appreciate that while this book is about a woman who is deaf, she is also a very capable person. The family may offer her help, but it is more about her circumstances than about her deafness. It is a pleasure to have a book about a disability address it in such a positive way.

Swarner’s art has the softness of yarn. Done in the same rich, deep colors that Ruthie knits her mittens out of, the entire world is soft and warm. There are small touches throughout that add details of homeliness and kindness. From the different sizes of mittens around the home to the flowers all over the grass.

This is a picture book about kindness and caring for one another with a brilliant blue thread of love woven throughout. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Cassandra Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mitten String by Jennifer Rosner tells a story from the point of view of a young girl named Ruthie Tober. Ruthie lives in a village where she makes mittens with her family to sell in the market. One day on her family's way home from the market they come across a woman holding a baby and a slate. The woman, named Bayla, is deaf and uses to slate to write messages. Due to her broken wagon, the Tobers invite the woman to stay the night. Ruthie notices how Bayla uses her hands to communicate with the baby. At Night Bayla ties a blue thread from the baby to her so that if he cries in the night she will wake up. Ruthie sees this and makes a special pair of mittens for the woman and her baby that are attached so they will not be cold at night.

This story is about kindness and learning about people who are different than us. Young Ruthie has never met a person who is deaf before and instead of isolating each other, Ruthie tries to understand the woman and communicate to her. She pays attention to how Bayla communicates with the baby. The gift that Ruthie gives shows that they want to be friends with the woman. In return, Bayla teaches Ruthie a few words in sign language and shows here which plants can help her make dye.

The illustrations of the books very beautifully done. They help shows the reader what is going on in the story. Showing how the Tober family makes yarn and mittens, as well as how Bayla uses sign language and how she uses thread at night to know if her baby is crying. At the end of the story there this a small glossary of sign language words that relate to the story. Kids can use this to learn a bit about sign language and maybe be intrigued to learn more.

[Emmaline MacBeath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruthie's family raises sheep and makes wool. They sell it to the village along with the warm mittens Ruthie and her mother make. On the way home from market one day, Ruthie's family meets a deaf woman and her baby. They bring her home for the night. Ruthie notices a beautiful blue piece of yarn tied around her wrist. At night, Ruthie is curious about the woman and her baby and peeks in on them. She sees the blue yarn tied from the woman's wrist to the baby's. It is to help her know when the baby wakes in the night. This gives Ruthie and idea to knit a special pair of mittens for the woman.

The illustrations have a folk tale feel to them. They are colorful, detailed and very interesting.

This is a lovely original Jewish folktale based on the life of the author's great-great-aunt. The story talks of the lifestyle of this family from the 1800s in Austria, community, kindness, and generosity of spirit. I love the deaf woman's ingenuity and the way the family treats her as one of their own.

I highly recommend this story. It is recommended for ages 3-7. However, there are quite a few words that will be new to the little ones such as carding wool, downy fleece, tassels, and prayer shawl. But for the littlest ones the reader can concentrate on the larger concepts such as kindness, and for the older ones, this is a great opportunity to learn some new words and a bit about the Jewish culture.

[Ann Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruthie's family has always made a living selling all different sorts of wool products. When they pick up a deaf woman by the side of the road with a baby, they take her in for a night while her husband fixes their form of transportation. Since the woman is deaf, Ruthie wonders how she can hear her baby cry at night. She observes a string tied to both of their wrists during the night and realizes this must be how the woman knows her baby is crying. Ruthie decides to make the woman and baby two pairs of mittens connected to each other by string, so that they can communicate at night while keeping their hands warm. I thought this was a wonderful story about helping those in need. I think this would be a good read or read-aloud to a younger elementary aged child. Even though the appearance of the text is very basic, the illustrations had a Matisse-like quality and were lovely to look at.

[Ben Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mitten String By Jennifer Rosner and Illustrated by Kistrina Swarner is a cute picture book about kindness, caring and differences among people. A new take on an original Jewish folktale. This book centers around a little girl and her family who make mittens from sheep wool. One day the little’s girls aunt comes to visit, and the little girl is fascinated when she learns that her aunt is deaf. She has never meet a deaf person before and wonders what it may be like to be her. This book is a great way for young children to learn about some of the differences between people, and how some of these disabilities are overcome. In the end of the book there is a section teaching on how to do some basic sign language, making this book fun and engaging for kids. For these reasons I would include this book in the classroom for ages 5-7.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming story describes how wool becomes yarn, and how yarn becomes mittens. Little Ruthie loves to process and spin wool for yarn to knit. One day she and her family met a deaf mother who uses a string to detect her baby's movements at night. The compassionate and creative Ruthie knits mittens connect by a long mitten string for baby and mother.

As a knitter, I really liked this book (for one thing, Ruthie and her family always hold their needles correctly). The theme of helping others is really nice to share with children. It's on the diversity shelf because of its positive portrayal of a woman with a disability, and because of its setting in a 19th century Jewish community.

Recommended for ages 4-8.

[Christine Turner]

"When her family invites a deaf woman and her baby to stay, Ruthie, a talented knitter of mittens, wonders how the mother will know if her child wakes in the night. The surprising answer inspires Ruthie to knit a special gift that offers great comfort to mother and baby and to Ruthie herself. With language and imagery reminiscent of stories told long ago, this modern Jewish folktale will resonate with those who love crafts, anyone who's encountered someone who is physically challenged and with everyone who has ever lost a mitten in the depths of winter."

Jewish folktale

Subject: Mittens -- Juvenile fiction.
Deaf -- Juvenile fiction.
People with disabilities -- Juvenile fiction
Jews -- Juvenile fiction