M Is For Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet

Discover America State By State

by Annie Appleford, Michael Glenn Monroe (Illustrator)

Where was the first mile of highway paved? Who was the 38th President of the United States? What is the nation's most remote National Park? What was the first bottled soda pop in this country? Find the answers to these questions and many more in "M is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet. "

Author Annie Appleford has written "M is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet" to acquaint children with the most important people, places and items that have helped mold Michigan into the tremendous state it is. Rich with gorgeous paintings by Michigan artist Michael Monroe, "M is for Mitten" is both educational for older children and entertaining for youngsters who will surely be dazzled by the diverse and colorful illustrations from cover to cover.

Kids can climb an Evergreen tree, hop on the back of a Robin, fly with him of the Mackinac Bridge through the Upper Peninsula for a visit to Isle Royale, before going to Detroit to drink Vernor's and then to Battle Creek to eat Kellogg's cereal. They can paddle in a birch bark canoe with Native Americans in and out of our many Harbors and then head to Lansing for a visit to the Capital. "M is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet" is an all expense paid trip from shore to shore through the Great Lakes State, and you won't need a map -- just look at your hand!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Geography, Education

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 1999

Reviews

[Hannah]

Read in school and reread now. Still great!

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could care less about Michigan, so I can't rate this any higher. Props for giving me a mnemonic device for remembering the Great Lakes.

"think of the word HOMES, which stands for Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior."

Useful.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"M is for Mitten
the shape of our land.
To see lower Michigan
just hold up your hand."

M is for Mitten is a beautiful alphabet tribute to the great state of Michigan. With poems, beautiful artwork, and background information on each page, this book is entertaining and educational. As much as I love to complain about my home state, books like this remind me why I still live here after all these years. Michiganders still have reason to be proud of our state, even with all our difficulties.

This is a great use of a mentor text to have students create their own alphabet book on a multitude of topics. Alphabet books can be created in any subject. I've used them in social studies and literature, but I'm sure you could also do them in science and art. Math might be more of a challenge.

[Rachel Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

"M is for Mitten" by Annie Appleford is such a great book to read. I like this book because it makes learning fun. The illustrations of each page really bring the alphabet to life. I would use this book if I could see how the connections were being made. IT would really feel like real life if I could. This book goes through all twenty six letters of the alphabet and relates each letter to an item or person or place special to Michigan. From Kellogg to Ford to White Tailed Deer, this book is about all things Michigan!

[Paxton Bleich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful children's book. It goes through the alphabet. Each letter represents something special to Michigan. For example A is for apple blossom. The apple blossom is Michigan's state flower and it explains when it appears and blooms.

I give this book 5/5 stars. It incorporates beautiful artwork of our lovely state. Each letter represents something that we hold close. This book would be a great book for lower elementary. Also would connect to many social studies units as they discuss "My state".

[Shelby Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book goes through all twenty six letters of the alphabet and relates each letter to an item or person or place special to Michigan. From Kellogg to Ford to White Tailed Deer, this book is about all things Michigan!
I like this book because it makes learning fun. The illustrations of each page really bring the alphabet to life.
I would use this book if I taught school in Michigan, seeing how connections could be made easily.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had this book read to me so many times. It’s a total need to read for Michiganders! It gives a rhyme and then it gives you background information of that topic. It’s pretty cool book. It might be a little outdated but it’s worth the read. So read it!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have been collecting all of these A to Z state books at the library and I think this one is one of my favorites by far. The colors and pictures are bright and beautiful. I learned a few things about Michigan by reading this book as well.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

we love Michigan ... great state ... so many amazing sights. state parks, bridges, foods. fun times. we can't wait to go again soon ... hoping??! love it. much see ... kind of like Maine. great states.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just bought this for a gift for a friend's child who lives in Saginaw - fabluous way to introduce a home state's history to a child, the illustrations are captivating for adults and children alike!

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining for my students

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this book. They loved learning in detail about the different things that come from or are a part of Michigan. So many mini-lessons can come out of this book.

[Ally Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome read aloud book for younger students, and a great book for older students to even use to get information about Michigan in for a research project.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun facts about Michigan for little kids.

[Shecki B]

I ordered this from the library as a little vacation research for my girls, since we’ll be making a trip there this summer. I picked it up myself and found it interesting. It tells of the state bird, reptile, rock, etc. and shows some of the sights. I was surprised to learn that Kelloggs cereal originated in Michigan, along with Jiffy mix.

[Janelle Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun rhyming text all about Michigan! There are side bars on each page with more info about each thing. Illustrated with beautiful paintings. A super way to introduce children to facts about the state!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for people of all ages! It has poems for preschoolers, more information for older readers, and a quiz at the end for research.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michigan alphabet.

[Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good alphabetical introduction to Michigan. Covers most every area of the state.

[Kubicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this book as a kid. got me interested in deeper learning about michigan's history by way of the lovely illustrations and made me feel good about where i live

[Melissa Yeboah-Amoako · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute, with many interesting facts about the great state of Michigan.

[Peniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love its pictures

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

history facts, information and icons of the state of Michigan

[Austinp · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very factual. It got very boring.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this entire series, and I adore this publishing company.

[Haylee Batzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

-Poetry
-Grades: 1-3
-This unique book shows readers a glimpse of Michigan now, and some history about it. It is a great way for readers to learn more about Michigan, whether they live there or not!