favorite things

Posted on Posted 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. I too know a little boy who would love this book…and his Mommy is a wonderful knitter. Thanks for sharing it!

  2. If I won this book, I would savor it, then send it to my niece in Texas. I knit her a Sheldon Turtle once and she absolutely loves it.

  3. I know it’s selfish, but if I win the book will be for me. Of course, I might read it to the grandboys, but I love children books!

  4. this is an absolutely adorable book. When I taught high school, I occasionally used children’s books to give my students an overview of a story or the history behind a story. They loved it! We never outgrow the love of engaging illustrations and fun stories! Count me in!

  5. What a sweet book. I would love to share it with my niece who will be our next generation knitter – or at least I hope so!!

  6. I remember reading The Snowy Day for a kid lit class in college, and recently purchased it for my grandson. My granddaughter is learning to knit, and I think she would love Extra Yarn!

  7. I am always looking for books and other things that will help the wonderful little people in my life to understand how important, fun, and beautiful handmade items are. Thank you for the suggestion.

  8. I would adore having this book to share with my youngest grandbaby, who has been knitting with me for two years…Well, what she really does is put her hands on mine as I knit, all the while hollering out loud to everyone in the house “Look, I’m teaching Grammy how to knit”.

    Thanks for the chance to enter such a great giveaway!!

    Grammy
    (aka Stoney Monte)

  9. What a lovely book; thanks for sharing it, even if I don’t get lucky! I do a a wonderful 5 and a half year old granddaughter who would love it, though!

  10. I saw this book over the weekend. It is so sweet. I would love to add it to my library.

    Lynn

  11. How totally delightful!!! I am a teacher who knits. I would love to share this with my students. Barnes and Noble, here I come!!!!!

  12. I can see the resemblance to the snowy day. Adore that; would love this. Thanks for the introduction :-)>

  13. loved Snowy Day. used to read it to my children all the time. This looks like an adorable book. Thanks for reviewing it.

  14. I have a weakness for children’s books, particularly books related to knitting. It looks like a charming book.

  15. What an opportunity! I would love to win this book I need to add it to my Amazon wish list. I wonder if it comes as an e-book?
    Thanks Anne,
    Betsy.

  16. I absolutely agree with your observation that Extra Yarn resembles the work of Ezra Jack Keats — my girls are now 11, 9 and 6 1/2, reading well on their own, and Snowy Day is still one of our favorites to read together. I know they’d love this one, too.

  17. Yes, I see the Ezra Jack Keats connection! This is a must-have. I teach second grade and I’d love to share this with ‘my’ kids. They’re not quite sure about this knitting thing – “Miss, you knit? You mean like my grandma?” Thank you for sharing this lovely book with the blog!

  18. This book looks lovely. A must have for my grandsons who consistently ask me to knit them mittens, socks, sweaters and hats. Also the perfect gift for my knitter friend who just had her first grandchild!

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