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. Yes, definitely reminds one of Ezra Jack Keats; charming. I’d love to be in the drawing for the book; I know just the little girl to share it with. I’m always a sucker for kids’ books that include textile arts.

  2. What a beautiful book! I would love to send it out with a homemade gift to a friend’s little one.

  5. I would love to give this book to a set of twins (3 years old) who are great friends of mine (after I read the book of course…)

  7. A lovely tale, and about knitting! I hope I’m the lucky winner but whoever wins this book will be very fortunate. Good Luck to all.

  9. I have a great-niece that I have gifted “yarny” books to since she was born, in hopes that she will develop a love for it. I would love a copy for her. Thanks.

  13. What a beautiful book. I’m expecting my first child and would love to be able to share this with her. She is already going to be covered in hand knitted goodness.

  16. The illustrations remind me of “Whistle for Willie” – hope this is destined to become a classic of the same order – I’d love to get my hands on “Extra Yarn”…..and extra yarn, of course 🙂

  18. I believe in the power of sharing and my handknits are the gifts I share only with those who mean the most to me. I can’t wait to read the adorable book. Thanks for sharing.

  19. Times being a bit tough this year, I’ve found out just how many things you can make with “extra” yarn (as if we every consider any yarn extra? Gimmie more of that !!!) I managed to make fibery gifts for every person on our list this year, which is quite considerable, and I still have “extra” yarn to make things for my husband and myself. Now I’m starting on birthday gifts for the year. If I won the book, I have a myriad of children I could read it to when they come over. Would love to share it with them!

  20. I would love to win a copy of this book – especially since we added a new knitter-to-be to our family this fall 🙂 I can’t wait to teach Eleanor to knit…but for now I’ll have to be satisfied with wrapping her in knit goodies!

  21. I just became a grandmother this year and would love to have this book to share with Braelyn and her mom Chelsea – a wonderful knitter, too!

  22. What a wonderful book. It’s sure to become a classic. I would love to add it to the library of books I will read to my grandbaby who will be born in July.

  23. This book looks amazing. I love the illustrations and see the similiarities to Ezra Jack Keats books, A Snowy Day is one of my favorites. I would love this book for my great niece, it would carry on a tradition I started with her mother of giving her books that she will love. Hopefully it will instill in her a love of reading and maybe will inspire her to be a knitter as well.

  24. I am always looking for yarny books to share with the kids in my family. This looks like a wonderful read that I will definately have to add to my wish list. thanks.

  27. Extra Yarn looks like a wonderful book! Would love to be lucky enough to win and share it with the wee ones in our family. Thanks Anne for putting it up for someone to win.

  29. I LOVE this book, it will be perfect for my 2 year old granddaughter who already loves playing with yarn. I hope I win but if I don’t I’ll buy a copy! Thanks for sharing it.

  31. What a lovely book! I love children’s books, a habit that comes in handy when I get to play loving auntie and mind the munchkin(s). We always have reading time – what better reading than about yarn?

  36. This is a delightful book. I had a chance to see it last week, when a knitting friend brought in a copy to my local yarn shop (her husband is in the book business). Would love a copy to send to my grandkids, who get sweaters every year for Christmas.

  38. the book looks lovely. i would love to have a copy to keep at my house for a special read when my grandchildren visit. they are still too young to teach them to knit but they are fascinated when i knit.

  39. Love Love Love this book . . . even if I get picked, I will need a few extra copies to gift away . . . ox

  42. I will have to add this to my collection of wonderful stories to share with my grandbabies (Snowy Day) is already on the shelf 🙂

  45. What a wonderful book to read to a little granddaughter who loves color and ‘knitting’ with Granma’s yarn!

  48. It looks adorable. I would love to add this whimsical, non-patterns book to my collection

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