Book: Extra Yarn
Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator:
Jon Klassen
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 40
Grade Level: Kindergarten and up
Rating: 5 Stars
Annabelle lives in a black and white world, when she suddenly comes
across a box of string. With it, she knits herself a sweater, and before long
begins knitting for everyone (and everything!) in town, as the box of yarn is
endless. Annabelle successfully brings color to her plain universe, and no can
stop her, not even a threatening Archduke!
When I first read this book, I wasn't so impressed with it overall. The
story was fine, the pictures complemented the text beautifully but it was a
book that I passed over and placed right on the shelf (at the library). When I picked
it up to read a second time months later, I really fell in love with it. If you
look closely at the pictures you can truly see texture that emulates a real
knit. Annabelle’s individuality shines on every page, as she dares to color a
black and white world. If one is familiar with Jon Klassen's illustrations (ex: I Want My Hat Back, 2011), you will definitely notice some familiar faces popping up on these pages. This book will definitely be enjoyed by young readers,
but I believe that older children would have a wonderful time deciphering deeper
meanings in the pictures and text of this picture book.
