Extra Yarn

Extra Yarn

ISBN13

9781406342314

Review published

14/01/2014

By Reviewer

Fiona

Star Rating

(5)

By Author / Illustrator

Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

Age range(s)

5+

Review

Extra Yarn is an American book which has rightly won several awards. Both the illustrator (Jon Klassen) and writer (Mac Barnett) have also separately won awards for their work. Extra Yarn is a unique and tantalising story of a determined young girl, Annabelle, who lives in 'a cold little town'. The ambiguous title,which dominates the front cover, is knitted in brightly coloured stitches and has Annabelle lounging on the T in Extra. From the beginning of the story Annabelle is engaged in knitting with the yarn from a box she finds. The yarn, as in the Magic Porridge Pot, never runs out whatever she knits and with her knitting she starts to change the 'cold little town'. But all is not plain sailing for Annabelle as she is told she looks 'ridiculous' in her newly knitted clothes and her teacher tells her that her jumper is a 'terrible distraction' to the other children in her class. However, this resilient young girl continues knitting until the Archduke arrives having heard of the magic box of yarn, wanting to buy it from her. Of course she refuses to sell and he steals it. But all is not lost and eventually Annabelle gets the box back. Jon Klassen's illustrations add greatly to this story. His colourful knitting pattern pulls the story together as it features not only on clothes, but on buildings, cars and animals. He portrays Annabelle with the most wonderful expressions which reflect her strength of character. This delightful story will read aloud very well in class and be ideal for role play activities. Picture Book / Ages 5+ / Reviewed by Fiona Collins, educational consultant