Extra Yarn

Courtney Pepmueller, Booksource Submissions Coordinator
Booksource

12/5/2012 3:48:00 PM
With fairy tale twists and amazing illustrations, Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett has been one of my favorite picture books to come out this year. Bennett’s quirky twist on a classic plot line brings a drab town to life through generosity, creativity and a never ending supply of colorful yarn. Simplistic and quirky illustrations by the imaginative Jon Klassen (illustrator of I Want My Hat Back) compliment the story perfectly.

Following a traditional fairy tale plot line, Extra Yarn starts with Annabelle, a young girl stuck in a drab town surrounded by nothing but white snow and dark houses. This all changes when Annabelle discovers a magical box of colorful yarn. After making a sweater for herself and her dog, she is surprised to find she still has more yarn. No matter how many colorful sweaters she makes for the interesting people, creatures, and objects in her village, the magical box always contains more yarn. Soon the drab gray, black and white town turns into a colorful landmark that people come from around the world to see and to meet Annabelle, the girl who made it this way.

No fairy tale is complete without a villain, and in Extra Yarn he is an archduke who wants to take the box of yarn from Annabelle. After offers of money do not work, the archduke steals the box of yarn from Annabelle and sails back to his home country. But in true fairy tale style, magical powers only work for the purest of heart and his evil plans do not make it far.

Not only is Extra Yarn a great read aloud, it also has many other uses in the elementary classroom. Recommended for preschool and up, Extra Yarn presents many opportunities to discuss good decision making and character building. Annabelle is kind and generous, and students can discuss if the fate of the villain is a fair one. It would also be fun for students to make an art project involving yarn, including a discussion of how yarn is made. I highly recommend Extra Yarn to anyone who loves a great plot and imaginative illustrations.