Extra Yarn
by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Jon Klassen
Picture book
* * * * Stars (Great!)
One day, Annabelle finds a box of yarn that never runs out. She knits herself a sweater, and then one for her dog, and when her yarn supply continues to grow she gradually clothes the whole town (including people, animals, trees, buildings). The formerly black and white town becomes a colorful place. Then a fashion-conscious archduke – having heard of Annabelle’s magical box of yarn – arrives on a fancy sailing ship and offers to buy it. When she won’t sell, he steals it. Not to fear, however – he finds no yarn within, and despite cursing Annabelle (‘You will never be happy!’), she is.
Extra Yarn is yarn-bombing for the young – Annabelle knits something for everyONE and everyTHING in her little town (even the guy who doesn’t wear pants or sweaters – he gets a hat). Realistically, this would probably take her years…but she doesn’t seem to age at all, and she’s wise enough to know the value of the box goes beyond the yarn that’s inside. Brightly and humorously illustrated by Jon Klassen (author and illustrator of I Want My Hat Back – you’ll see a similar bear in a colorful sweater in Extra Yarn), this is a charming story of a generous young girl and the warmth she spreads through her town.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
