favorite things

Posted on annePosted in book reviews/events, projects

i need time to get ready for taxes this weekend, so i thought i’d share a favorite book that came my way recently. the absolutely adorable

extra yarn by mac bennett, illustrated by jon klassen is a sweet and simple story about the rewarding magic of giving hand knits.

i just love the illustrations; they remind me of artwork by one of my own very favorite childhood favorites—ezra jack keats (the snowy day will forever be one of my most treasured reads).

can you see the similarity too?

i first saw a review copy of this book at the knitters review retreat and was immediately jealous that clara got to take it home.

but then someone told someone to send me one, too and now i can share it with you.

i love the charcoal-y muted tones of all the houses and trees, contrasted with the cheery bright colors of annabelle’s yarn

and how, as her knitting and generosity with it grows, so the world around her is transformed from shadow to light.

it’s just delightful—a perfect gift for a child you might know, or heck, just for yourself. i was very torn about whether to keep mine or pass it on to one of my nephews and finally decided to send it to micah, since his mom, nan, is a wonderful knitter.

he may as well learn about yarn early!

and just after i wrapped it up to send out, another review copy landed on my doorstep. haha, i was very thankful; i really wanted to add a copy to my shelf of children’s books.

i think the last page of the book says it best

i highly recommend extra yarn; it’s the perfect way to share the yarn love with a special little someone (or two, haha). thank you very much to harper collins books for both publishing it and for including me in their review list.

and for all of you, a special treat, just in time for valentime’s day: harper collins will send one lucky commentor a copy of extra yarn to share with their family. please leave a comment at the end of this post sometime before 9pm EST on tuesday feb 7 to be included in the drawing. we’ll announce the winner on wednesday in thursday’s post!

225 thoughts on “favorite things”

  1. Sounds like a great book for my 2 favorite little people, and Valentines Day just around the corner! Yea!!

  2. What a great book recommendation! I placed a hold on it at the library. I think it may be a great gift for a few mom friends who recently took up knitting. Thx!

  3. I just saw this on Amazon yesterday and was so touched by the story and illustrations that I ordered it for my favorite knitting friends for Valentine’s Day.

  4. My daughter is a 4th grade teacher and lets me come and read a book to her class …i always bring my knitting, knit while i read, and have at least 10 kids knitting by the end of the visit….i think i’ll look for this book for this years visit! thanks anne!

  6. Oh I love The Snowy Day! I haven’t thought about it in years and it truly is a favorite – thanks for sharing it and your review. I stopped by to say Happy Birthday to you (now just into the second day late) – you and my own sister (also named Anne) have the same birthday. Thanks for all you’ve shared with us and made our days a bit better. I love turning to your blog and soaking up the relaxing joy of yarn and knitting and whatever else you’ve got cooking. Happy Birthday Anne!

  11. I saw a copy in my LYS and read it out loud to my friend while she was knitting. Charming!

    And I have a yarn box like that too, which probably has something to do with all the time I spend in my LYS surrounded by gorgeous yarn… oh, I have got to have that beautiful tonal green…

  12. I love this book! The color and illustrations in this book is perfect. I just love the stitches on the sweaters. And I know my 4 yr old would love to win a copy. Thank you for having this giveaway.

  13. Oh what a wonderful book! The story reminds me a little of my favorite children’s book, Miss Rumphius. I’ll be adding this to my list of books to buy!

  14. I’ll also have to find a copy for the school library… I also adore the colours and contrasts…

    Enjoy the taxes! 🙂

  15. Anne,

    I hope you are feeling better. Don’t have a relapse doing your taxes!

    What a wonderful book. Thanks for this giveaway.

  16. That’s a lovely book–the illustrations are great, and I’m definitely partial to the subject matter! Thanks for sharing, Anne.

  17. Such a sweet book! We are saving up children’s books for my little bun in the oven, Arthur. Will have to remember to add this one to the collection.

  18. I have a 6yr old grandaughter that would love this book! She likes “Nana’s” extra yarn for herself.

  19. This book looks so adorable! My daughter is teaching her kindergarten class to knit. Wouldn’t this be fun to read during story time?

  20. I too love Ezra Jack Keats, especially for his “Whistle for Willie”.

    If I win the copy of “Extra Yarn” I’ll donate it to my local library – after I read it first, of course!

  21. I knit my son a pointy red toque, just to go with A Snowy Day. We love that book. And I think we would love this too, since my son is quite aware of all the extra yarn in our house!

  26. What a beautiful book. I love collecting children’s books about knitting. One of my favorites is ‘Shall I Knit You A Hat’.

  27. That book was part of the Yankee Swap this weekend at the knitting retreat my friends and I do every year! Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t the one who got it.

  29. What a treat. This is a fantastic giveaway and a great gift for any among the number of little nieces and nephews for whom I make terribly itchy sweaters!

  30. I’d love a copy for my niece who is a fantastic knitter and whose birthday is later this month!

  31. Such a sweet and endearing book! It’s never too early to start the young ones on the possibilities of gifting with yarn!

  35. Thank you for sharing! I haven’t seen it before, looks like a wonderful addition to our bedtime story routine 😉

  37. I was cleaning under the beds in my children’s room when I found our much-loved copy of The Snowy Day. I had to read it sitting right there on the bedroom floor. Then I was off to find and read Peter’s Chair. After the cleaning was done, I rewarded myself with a peek at KnitSpot and, whoa!, it was such fun to see your review of Extra Yarn. Now for some knitting time.

  39. me me me-hand waving wildly in the air! Starting to teach my 6 yer old granddaughter to knit and I’m sure she would love this book.

  40. What a beautiful book and lovely message – this would be good for my neighbor’s son and many others I know. I love the art work in this.

  43. I am so excited to read this book! It looks delightful! Yesterday I had my 40th Birthday and I resolved to learn how to knit as a present to myself. I got some wonderful knitting presents from friends and am invited to a ladies knitting night this coming Monday eveing! This would be a treat to receive and share!
    Thank you!

  44. my 8 yr old would love this story as she thinks her mom has too much yarn… ( as if anyone could have too much yarn!)…please put me in the running for this book and thanks!

  45. I have this on my wish list. I’m teaching my granddaughter to knit and it would be a great book for her.

  47. This sounds like an adorable book that I would enjoy reading to my grandchildren. I recently taught their mother how to knit so that should add extra meaning to the story for them.
    Gita
    quiltnb@hotmail.com

  49. What a sweet story. I miss picture books (we packed them all up, but are saving them …) but – I have little ones on both sides of us now … and I have knit for them …

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