Extra Yarn



Last updated Thursday, December 12, 2013

Author: Mac Barnett
Date of Publication:
ISBN: 9780061953385
Grade Level: 2nd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2013

Synopsis: "Amazon.com Review:
A monochrome town gets a change of color and attitude with the help of a box of yarn and a girl named Annabelle. From the seemingly endless box of Extra Yarn Annabelle knits clothing for everyone around her, tempering the ill-tempered, and creating beautifully patterned warmth for people, animals, and objects, alike. When a greedy clothes-loving archduke tries to buy--then steal-- the box for himself, he discovers that ill-gotten gains bear no fruit--or in this case, yarn."

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do you think this book is about?
•  Do you know how to knit?

Vocabulary:
•  knit - To make (a fabric or garment) by intertwining yarn in a series of connected loops with knitting needles.
•  soot - black, powdery dirt
•  jealous - wanting what someone else has
•  distraction - something that draws your attention somewhere else
•  remarkable - Worthy of notice.
•  archduke - royal man. Used as a title for a nobleman.
•  miraculous - So astounding as to suggest a miracle; phenomenal. (An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature.)

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Why do you think Annabelle didn't take the Archduke's money?
•  Why was Annabelle happy at the end of the book?
•  What kinds of things did Annabelle knit?
•  What would you do with extra yarn?
•  How is yarn useful?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a snowman out of cut-out white paper. Attach braided strips of yarn for the scarf.
•  Make ornaments with scraps of yarn.
•  Make snowflakes ornament & use yarn to hang them.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!