Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

"It turned out she was." 

Happy, that is. 

This is a simple story of imagination and sharing.  Annabelle is a young girl who discovers a box, a box filled with yarn.  After she knits herself a sweater, and one for her dog, she begins to spread this simple gesture of knitting towards others.  Before long, Annabelle has also knit sweaters for animals, and even inanimate objects in her community.  She has turned the dark, gloomy winter scenery into a bright and colorful scene.  Her "extra yarn" has transformed the landscape into something "extra beautiful."  But along comes temptation: an archduke who offers Annabelle a good deal of money to purchase her magical box of yarn.  She turns him down.  Eventually, Annabelle's box is stolen and yet the archduke is unable to harness the magic of the "extra yarn." This tale teaches us to use our simple resources, such as "extra yarn," to create simple beauty for those around us.

I think Mac Barnett uses a young girl's simplicity to teach us the value of generosity.  She is giving and unending in her creations for others.  The archduke represents greediness, which the young girl does not give in to.  Her simple gifts remind the reader that something so small can brighten a gloomy day.  I also think this story epitomizes the role of imagination in our lives. How we look at things around us can transform their potential.  A simple box of yarn -- Annabelle imagines much more from the colorful string of fibers.  A cardboard box -- perhaps a young child can build a puppet theater? A paper plate -- perhaps the beginning of an exquisite top hat? The imagination is the birth of creativity, but we must look around us for objects and ways to grow such possibilities!

I would certainly recommend this picture book to young readers who are learning to see the world around them in thoughtful and creative ways.  Also, for adults who need to be reminded of how simple pleasures can yield large results.  Another great reason to pick up this picture book is to look at the illustrations and use of color.  As I was reading, I noticed how beautifully the color in the illustrations aligned with the meaning of the text on the page.  Annabelle is a character that I think most readers can relate to, someone who can look around the house and pick up something simple on a "boring afternoon," and let the imagination run wild! The book jacket reads: for ages 4-8, but I think the message can apply to a wider audience.

This story, Extra Yarn, was recognized as:

• a Caldecott Honor medal
• the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
• New York Times bestseller
• E.B. White Read-Aloud Award

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman

What does summer mean to me?

How does Wesley change?
How do his parents change?

Wesley dreams of "more exciting forms of shelter." Are you a dreamer?

Do you have to be good at a sport to be accepted? What are some other things you can be good at?

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street 
by Roni Schotter

This book reminds us to 
view the world around us as writers!

Setting: 

New York City (urban neighborhood) 

Eva sits on the stoop, bored

Plot: 

• Eva has a writing assignment, but she feels there is nothing to write about because she thinks nothing ever happens on 90th Street
• Eva gets advice from various neighbors!
• She eventually envisions a dramatic event happening in her neighborhood
• Turning point in the story was when Eva begins to wonder, "hmm.. what will happen next on 90th Street?"
• Sondra Sonderson, soap opera star appears on 90th St. to visit Mr. Simms (action! on 90th St.)
• Eva learns to ask, "what if?"
• At the end of the story, she says, "It will be even better, once I rewrite it." 

Characters:  

Mr. Simms (actor, dramatic, felt fedora hat, "the world is your stage")

Mr. Morley ("try to find the poetry in your pudding")

Alexis (dancer, doesn't smile, "stretch and use your imagination, stretch the truth for a better story")

Mrs. Martinez (likes soup, "add a little action, like spices in a soup!")

Mr. Freedman 

Mrs. Sonderson

Others: Mr. Chang, 

Author's craft: 

My connections:

My students often say there is nothing to write about -- until they learn to view the world as writers! 

I always deeply appreciated the action on the streets of New York city. I often miss that action now, living in the suburbs, and wish I could be transplanted back to the active city streets.    

Deeper understanding/my thinking: 

To me, this book epitomizes the value of living our lives as writers! When we open our eyes, open our hearts, and see the small and seemingly insignificant moments around us we are open to the active life around us!  I think this book also emphasizes the importance of imagination.  My teacher friend, Kelsey, always says "never let the facts get in the way of a good story."  Eva learns to fill in the events around her with creative and imaginative details.  The world around us holds many great stories, both real and imagined.  

Revision! Good writers always make changes! Even Eva learns that her story will be "even better, once I rewrite it." Her changed perspective on the life around her has instilled a sense of wonder that drives her to want to make changes to her story! 

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

Get "lost" in this book,
along with
Mr. Morris Lessmore

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore 
By William Joyce

Post by Sarah Landis:

All of his joys and sorrows,

all that he knew

and everything that he hoped for. 

Now this is a book that makes you think.  This touching story makes me think about the power of a book: the power to change someone's life, the power to "aliven" someone who is lonely, the power to fill someone's heart.  I love how the author uses figurative language to help me think differently about a book as a real person. At one point, near Mr. Lessmore's final days, the books serve as friends to him, reading aloud and filling his time with companionship.   The books even "whisper an invitation to adventure."

One other thing that stood out to me was the cycle of Morris's life.  He is invested in reading throughout his entire life, and seems to end his life in "book heaven."  I love how the story "ends" with the "beginning" of the girl's book life.  Clever.  Books really are forever, a true legacy that lives on even after the author is gone.

I cannot think of a book where the illustrations have enhanced the text and meaning of the book in the same way as they do in this book.  Whimsical and thought-provoking, the pictures even further advance my understanding of the characters and message in the book.  The use of color is vital to the story.

William Joyce has crafted a story that makes me think deeply about the authors of books.  How often does a book represent the true thoughts and feelings of an author? Joyce has created a character who is both a reader and a writer.  Morris gets lost in books, but he also spends days and years writing and writing and writing.  While reading, he is living.  And while living, he is writing.

Is there one book that tells our life story, or multiple stories to represent ourselves at different points in life?  Morris even says, "everyone's story matters." This is so true. And should I be writing a book to capture my very own heart and soul, to leave behind as a legacy once I am gone?  I guess I should be writing and telling my story, I think mine does matter.

Joyce's story is so magical that it has been made into an award-winning animated short film:

Why this book? Out of so many picture books and stories that producers have access to, I can imagine Mr. Morris Lessmore and his journey were chosen because of the whimsical nature.  I can see how and why the 84th Academy Awards chose this memorable experience.  Accepting their award: 

Use of color: I already loved the illustrations, but now the illustrations come to (animated) life.  The black and white images, mixed with color images, maintained their impact.  

Use of sound: There were no words or spoken dialogue in the film, just powerful music.  

Post by Kelly Hilton:

A book can take you places where you have never been. A book can cheer you up when you are feeling down. A book can be your Friday night date. A book can open your eyes to a world that you have never seen or could even imagine. William Joyce takes a journey with books through the life of Mr. Morris Lessmore.

Morris loved books. He loved the joys and he loved the sorrows. He wrote about his life everyday until the day when his letters were all mixed up. Joyce uses personification to help us realize the life of a book when Morris lives in a special library. He actually gets "lost" in the pages and letters in the book and repairs the books like a doctor would repair or care for a patient. 

The pictures of this book bring the pages of this story to life as they use color and black and white to visually demonstrate the life of a story. The images transform as the story evolves. 

I love this book because it reminds me that everyone has a story and that no one will know your story unless you share it through writing.