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“This looks like an ordinary box full of ordinary yarn. But it turns out it isn't.“

“Every day Annabelle kept knitting, and every day the colors spread a little farther.“

Extra Yarn can spark classroom discussions about kindness, generosity, and the impact of small actions. Students can talk about how Annabelle‘s knitting changes the town and relate it to times they helped someone or made a positive difference.

Extra Yarn can be used in a elementary classrooms to teach lessons about generosity, creativity, and problem-solving. You can use this book to discuss the main character‘s choices, encouraging students to think about how small actions can make a big difference.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett is a picture book published in 2012. The illustrator uses color to create contrast between the town, which is very gray and gloomy, and when Annabelle knits, which is warm and vibrant. The use of line makes the knitted items stand out and draws the attention of the reader. The illustrator also used texture to make the yarn look very life-like.

Picturebooks (2012): Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen, features whimsical, detailed illustrations that bring warmth and charm to the story. The simple, muted color palette highlights the magical yarn, while expressive characters and clever visual details emphasize generosity, community, and the transformation of the town. The illustrations beautifully complement the story‘s themes.

“She started knitting sweaters, scarves, mittens, and hats for everyone she knew—and even for people she didn‘t know.”

This book would be great when working on character analysis. By analyzing Annabelle's character, students can identify traits such as kindness, creativity, and problem-solving.

This picture book was published in 2012 and is the story of a never-ending box of yarn and all the lives it goes on to touch. The illustrations show a bleak town that is brought to life with all of the things Annabelle knits. The only color is depicted in the yarn and shows the importance and life her creations brought to her town. The illustrations balance whimsy with simplicity in a beautiful way.

“But it turned out, her yarn never ran out.”

Picture book- Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen (2012) The illustrations balance muted grays with bursts of bright yarn, symbolizing hope and kindness spreading through the community. His clean lines, textured style, and subtle humor add depth, making each page visually striking while supporting the story‘s gentle magic.

“Then Ill knit one for everyone, Annabell said, so they wont have to turn around.“

This book is great for younger elementary-aged students. It can be used to explore themes of generosity, creativity, and community.

Jon Klassen uses digital illustration with subtle textures and muted colors, which highlight the bright, magical yarn as it transforms the town. The contrast draws attention to the impact of Annabelle‘s actions, reinforcing the story‘s central message visually.

In the classroom, it can be used to teach creativity, generosity, and problem-solving, while also encouraging discussions about sharing, community, and how small actions can have a big impact.

“But it turned out, her box of yarn was never empty.”

I would use this book in K–3rd grade. This book works well to discuss theme, symbolism, and the role of illustrations in storytelling. A classroom activity could be students drawing something ordinary (a tree, house, or pet) and then adding “extra yarn” (bright patterns/colors) to transform it, just like Annabelle does.

I would use this book with younger aged children. It teaches children about generosity because Annabelle uses her yarn to make sure everyone in her neighborhood is kept warm during the cold winter.

“But it turned out she could. And she did.“

This book is a picturebook. It was published in 2012. The illustrator used ink and digital media, giving the illustrations a textured, hand-drawn feel. There are clean, minimal lines that create a structured, almost stark environment, emphasizing the contrast with the yarn. Muted grays and browns dominate the town, while the yarn is filled with bright, multicolored patterns.

Caldecott Honor, Published 2012, Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen. A magical tale of generosity and transformation. When Annabelle finds a box of never-ending yarn, she knits life and color into her drab town—until a greedy archduke tries to take it. Subtle, enchanting, and beautifully illustrated.

Picturebook (2012) The illustrations are understated but deeply effective. Using a mostly grayscale palette for the town, he makes the colorful yarn “pop” so each sweater, object, or building wrapped in yarn becomes an emotional focal point. He often uses digitally scanned or painted knit-textures for yarn, lending warmth and contrast against flat, cold backgrounds.The style is minimalist, with simple, almost geometric lines and shapes.

The colors in this book are very subtle but still very bright. The trees are very contrasting from the house which makes them pop.

“But it turned out she could. And she did.“

The illustrations in this book help tell the story of how the magic yarn is represented throughout the text. The colors of the yarn match Annabelle's sweater, which gets more and more colorful. Then, if the sweater gets colorful, the string gets longer and longer as the book goes on. The lines in this book are horizontal and the pictures are very simple.

“So she knit a sweater for Mars, too.“

In the book Extra Yarn, I will use this in my future classroom by having students make up their own stories using pictures or sentence strips. Also, I can use it to have students create their own “extra yarn“ projects, which might incorporate decorating the classroom or something that symbolizes them.

I think this book could be beneficial for students in getting them to dream and go after their dreams. However, I‘m not sure for the same reason it would be a good lesson.

“ Things began to change that little town.”

“'No sweater for me, thanks,' said Mr. Crabtree. So she made Mr. Crabtree a hat.“

I would definitely use this book in my classroom to teach students about character and what it means to show kindness/generosity. I think this would be a great read in any of the elementary grades!

I loved reading this book! It had such a sweet, positive message and the colorful illustrations that build throughout the story show even more symbolism. Also the themes of kindness and community within the story were very heartwarming.

“Annabelle‘s sweaters made everyone smile, and that‘s how it all started.”

In this story Annabelle, discovers a magical box of never ending yarn. She shares the fruits of her discovery by knitting sweaters for everyone and more! I could use this book to prompt students to write about what they would do with a endless ball of yarn or even how they would design their sweater.

This book has beautiful illustrations and a great message about creativity and generosity, showing how a simple act of kindness can transform a whole community.

While I enjoyed this book it wasn‘t my favorite. I did like the illustrations and the way the author uses color throughout the book. The storyline was also very nice and I appreciated the happy ending.

Caldecott