Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
When Annabelle finds a box of yarn, she uses it to knit a jumper. There’s some left so she knits her dog a jumper too. And then one for the boy next door. And one for his dog. And still there’s yarn left over. So she goes on and on. She knits jumpers for everyone she knows and then starts knitting for things that don’t even need jumpers. Pretty soon her dark, dreary town is transformed!
| Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Zoe Page
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| Summary: A 5-star yarn (sorry!) this is a great read about a little girl who never gives up. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 40 | Date: January 2014 |
| Publisher: Walker | |
| ISBN: 978-1406352481 | |
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When you have something wonderful, though, other people hear about it and sometimes they want it, too. That’s the case with Annabelle’s box of yarn. An archduke appears and wants to buy it. When he finds out it’s not for sale, he goes to great lengths to obtain it anyway. What a nasty man indeed.
This is a timeless story that has a real sense of humour to it. Little ones will laugh at all the things Annabelle knits to try to use up the yarn (Jumpers for houses! Jumpers for trees!) and the pictures are brilliant for showing the progression. There’s also a take-home message about believing in yourself, though. People are convinced Annabelle will run out of yarn soon… but she doesn’t, dismissing their fears as she continues to work on her project. I also liked the way she worked to incorporate people who were different, like odd Mr Crabtree. He might not wear jumpers, but she finds a way to ensure he’s not left out.
The transformation of the town from colourless to colourful reminded me of the old film Pleasantville, in which a neighbourhood also came alive, bit by bit, as it moved from black and white to coloured. Again, the illustrations are classic in nature and the contrast between the black and the colours is brilliant, showing you can have just as much impact with pastels as with fluorescent hues.
I adored this book so much I read it twice from cover to cover without stopping. It’s a sweet story but funny too, and I love the style of the writing and the ending.
Thanks go to the publishers for sending us this great yarn (sorry).
After this one, why not also have a peek at I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen?
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You can read more book reviews or buy Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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