DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Extra Yarn

A tale of creativity and community through colorful yarn

Mac Barnett author Jon Klassen illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Walker Books Ltd

Published:2nd Jan '14

Should be back in stock very soon

Extra Yarn cover

A young girl transforms her grey town with colorful yarn, knitting joy and warmth for everyone. Extra Yarn captures the magic of creativity and community.

In Extra Yarn, the acclaimed duo of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen weave a delightful tale about a young girl named Annabelle. Living in a cold, grey town, Annabelle discovers a magical box filled with brightly colored yarn on a dreary day. With a spirit full of warmth and creativity, she begins to knit a cozy jumper for herself, soon realizing that there is still plenty of yarn left. This sparks her imagination, leading her to knit jumpers for her dog and then the townspeople, transforming her dull surroundings into a vibrant tapestry of color.

As Annabelle continues her knitting journey, the once dreary town is enveloped in joy and warmth, showcasing the power of creativity and kindness. Her remarkable talent catches the attention of the sinister Archduke, who desires the magical yarn for himself. However, he soon learns that the true magic of the yarn lies not just in its appearance but in the heart of the one who wields it. The story beautifully illustrates how one person's creativity can inspire a whole community, bringing people together in unexpected ways.

Extra Yarn is a celebration of imagination, community, and the transformative power of art. Through its enchanting narrative and charming illustrations, readers of all ages will find themselves captivated by Annabelle's journey and the colorful world she creates. This tale serves as a reminder that warmth and joy can be knitted into the fabric of everyday life, even in the coldest of places.

‘A perfect feel good picture book' and ‘a unique picture book and a terrific read’ * The Bookseller *
charming ... ideal for three and a half years upwards and its soothing narrative is good for bedtime. Likely to become a classroom favourite too. * We Love This Book *
extraordinary ... the perfect marriage of a beautiful, timeless story and stunning illustrations -- Julia Eccleshare * Lovereading4kids.co.uk *
Jon Klassen's illustrations carry the joke of this affirming fantasy effortlessly. -- Julia Eccleshare/Michelle Pauli * The Guardian *
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 * Reading Zone *
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 * The Book Bag *

  • Short-listed for Indie Book Awards 2014 (UK)
  • Short-listed for Rotherham Book Award 2014 (UK)

ISBN: 9781406352481

Dimensions: 5mm x 255mm x 215mm

Weight: 195g

40 pages