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