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”

  3. As a teacher who has run several knitting clubs at school, it would be a lovely book to use as an introduction, or enticement for other students to join.

    Love the transformation made with the colored yarn!

  6. Reminds me of when my daughter was small
    I belive my husband to this day could still tell you word for word
    Socks for Supper.
    Which also had some good lessons for life.

  7. My first grandbaby is on the way and I’m working on lots of hand knits. This would be great to start the baby’s library.

  9. What a great book and review. I’m going to see if I can find the other book you mentioned too.

  11. What a lovely book! I collect books, pretending I am buying them for my kids;) This would be a fabulous book “just for me” ! I think I’ve fallen in love with it already:-)

  12. I heard this book reviewed somewhere, stuck the info in my head and immediately forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder, Anne!

  17. I would love to have a copy…goes with Socks for Supper that my grand-daughters and I read together. thank you for offering a copy up…

  21. This so affirms what a loving thing it is to knit for someone. And Snowy Day is very much the same feeling – I love that one too

  25. Thank you for sharing the book. There are so many wonderful books for children, but one can never have enough. I teach K/grade 1 and have a 3 year old, so I know that you can never have enough. I love the ‘knit’ of the colours as the book continues, how neat.

  27. It’s a brilliant book. I put it on my Amazon list for 2012 Christmas and Birthday Gift Ideas!

  29. What a simply gorgeous book. I’d love a copy to read to to the future grandkids and my nephew. He loves to raid the kids books shelf when he comes to visit.

  31. This is so cute–I would love to win it so I can read it to my grandson Noah, who wants to learn to knit when he gets older. 🙂

  40. Oh what a sweet book- my two year old (who dresses his Thomas trains in my extra bits of sock yarn) would probably enjoy reading it with me. 🙂

  42. What a beautiful book! I collect kids books too, this one will have to go on the shelf with the rest of them!

  45. I love kids’ books that have a fibercraft/art-making theme. I’ve seen several beautiful quilt ones, but not so many knitting ones. I also like the message of this one, though most crafty kids’ books do seem to be about sharing/giving, since crafts are so useful that way!

  49. By far one of mine and my children’s all time favorite authors—-Ezra Jack Keats! My grandsons have inherited all we collected with the time worn pages And yes, there is a strong similarity in illustrations!

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