Good Reads: Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

by on January 20, 2012
in books and music · 11 Comments

The following post is by editor Kara Fleck.

It is no secret that my kids and I love to read, and I hope the same is true for you and your families.  I’m a former bookseller and I’m a lifelong book lover, as is my husband.   It is one of the traits I’m happiest has passed on to my children.

Reading to my children is one of my favorite ways to spend time with them, especially if the book is clever and fun.

We talk about our favorite reads here on Simple Kids from time to time, and I’m excited to bring you a monthly series on Simple Kids dedicated just to book reviews. 

Be on the lookout for book review features from the other Simple Living Media sites, as well. 

I look forward to highlighting some of my favorite reads and sharing our new discoveries with you.

Extra Yarn

This month I wanted to share with you a book that is a new one on our bookshelf: Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett.

I first heard about this book when it was recommended to me by another mom who knows that I love knitting and can’t resist children’s books about the craft.  She knew it would be a book after my own heart, and she was right.

Extra Yarn is a story about Annabelle, who finds a box of yarn that turns out to be rather amazing.  

Annabelle finds the box and knits and knits (and knits!) from the yarn.

“And even after she’d made a sweater for Nate and his dog, and for herself and for Mars, she still had extra yarn.”

She keeps knitting when people tell her she can’t, she keeps knitting when people tease her,  she keeps knitting when people doubt her, and when someone tries to take the box of yarn away from her, well … I won’t give away the ending, but it doesn’t stop Annabelle.

Jon Klassen’s illustrations are the perfect accent to the story, changing from bleak and stark to the lovely, bright, yarn covered world the main character creates from the seemingly endless box of yarn.

The message of the book might have been just a bit over the head of my three year old, but she asked to read it several times and loved looking at the illustrations.

My five year and my ten year olds loved it and understood the message loud and clear – “She never stops mom, and she is smiling.”

Extra Yarn is a lovely book that left my kids and I smiling at the end. as well.  I would recommend you pick up a copy for your bookshelf.  You don’t have to be a knitter to love Extra Yarn!

Have you and your kids read any good books lately?

{ top image credit }
About Kara

Kara Fleck is the editor of Simple Kids. She lives in Indiana with her husband Christopher and their four children Jillian, Max, Lucy, and Amelia. You can find more of her writing at K.ElizabethFleck.com and read about the family's homeschooling adventures at The Dynamo Rhino.

Comments

  1. Heather says:
    January 20, 2012 at 5:55 am

    I just finished reading the little princess to my kids, and we started charlotte’s web yesterday. I love to revisit the books that I read when I was younger :-)
    Heather´s latest post: coconut curry roasted squash soup

    Reply
  2. rachelle says:
    January 20, 2012 at 9:47 am

    what is the name of the second book you have posted?? i loved that book as a child??
    thanks!
    rachelle cooper

    Reply
  3. Steph says:
    January 20, 2012 at 10:40 am

    We’re reading a lot of Dr. Seuss around here lately. Thanks for the suggestion.
    Steph´s latest post: When We Worry…

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  4. Stacey says:
    January 20, 2012 at 11:55 am

    Oh… this book sounds just lovely. I can’t wait to find it! We are in a big Anna Hibiscus phase in our household. If you don’t know her, she is just a warm and fuzzy read!
    Stacey´s latest post: The Reading Pile

    Reply
  5. Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy says:
    January 20, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    This is a new title to me. My 6-year-old daughter and I both just started knitting and both love to read, so this will be a fun one for us to read together. Thanks Kara!
    Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy´s latest post: Green Cleaning On the Cheap (And Easy)

    Reply
  6. Michele says:
    January 20, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    Oh I love book reviews! I follow a few book blogs and they’re a fun way to learn about new books/authors/illustrators.

    My 5.5yo son is in love with Emily Gravett books right now. Odd Egg and The Rabbit Problem are current favorites.

    Your giveaway link doesn’t work, FYI. It forwards to the page that covers the book reviewers.

    Reply
  7. Rebecca says:
    January 22, 2012 at 2:25 am

    I love book reviews. I have started doing a weekly reading nook for my little ones and have started reviewing a new release book, author or illustrator every Monday. I wanted to branch out from my traditional choice of books and by posting a new book each week makes me really make an effort!
    Rebecca´s latest post: imaginary castle

    Reply

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