Author – Jan Brett
Few authors capture the hearts of students and teachers quite like Jan Brett. Her beautifully illustrated stories, filled with rich detail and cultural depth, offer endless opportunities for connection and classroom discussion. From The Mitten to The Hat and The Wild Christmas Reindeer, her books invite children into worlds that celebrate kindness, curiosity, and the natural beauty of our world.
What makes Brett’s work so powerful in the classroom is the way her illustrations support comprehension. The intricate borders often tell a story of their own, giving students a chance to predict, infer, and notice details that deepen their understanding. Her books are also wonderful models for teaching descriptive writing, sequencing, and comparing versions of traditional tales.
Whether you’re planning a winter author study, exploring world cultures, or simply looking for books that spark wonder, Jan Brett’s stories are timeless tools for learning. Her work reminds us that great literature doesn’t just entertain—it inspires readers to look closely, think deeply, and fall in love with reading.
Classroom Connection: The Mitten Retelling Activity
After reading The Mitten, invite students to participate in a hands-on story retelling. Provide each student with an animal from the story and a large mitten cutout. As you reread, students can come forward to place their animal inside the mitten to recreate the sequence. This simple activity reinforces comprehension, sequencing, and oral retelling skills—while bringing Jan Brett’s cozy winter tale to life.
To extend your author study, share Jan Brett’s official YouTube channel with your students. There, she invites readers into her creative process, offers drawing tutorials, and shares behind-the-scenes insights about her books. It’s a wonderful way for students to connect with an author’s craft and see storytelling come to life.
Here are just a few of Jan Brett’s many beloved books that continue to inspire readers and enrich classroom libraries:
