Monday, September 15, 2014

Read: Extra Yarn (plus weaving mini mats, and a giveaway)




The boys and I have been reading "Extra Yarn" recently. It's a simple tale, of a little girl Annabelle who finds a box filled with yarn of every colour. She starts knitting, and knitting, and there is always some extra yarn left. She continues knitting, and slowly, the village is transformed by her box of yarn. Until one day, her box is stolen from her... and you'll have to read the book to find out what happens next!

It is a beautiful book with a heartwarming storyline, and it is no wonder that this book is a Caldecott Honor Book, and has been awarded the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. The illustrations are spare and simple, and you see the gentle transition of a monochrome palette to pastel colours as the story progresses. 




To accompany our reading of the book, we made cardboard looms and tried weaving with them (using this tutorial). Lil J found it too difficult and gave up, while Junior J caught on after awhile and was able to weave quite quickly. His interest waned after awhile though, so I helped him to finish his mat. Now his piece has become a mat for the dollhouse for his dinosaurs!



I found the tips given in the the tutorial useful: we wrapped the yarn with washi tape to allow for easier weaving. I find giving the kids shorter lengths of yarn to start off helps, as longer lengths may get tangled during the weaving process, and it can be frustrating having to untangle the yarn all the time. Using thicker yarn also allows for weaving to be completed at a faster rate.


We're going to put weaving aside for now since Junior J is struggling with it, but will take it up again next time, since there are so many possibilities with weaving: mats, baskets, containers, just to name a few.

~~~~~~~

And good news! We have a copy of "Extra Yarn" to give away to one reader, thansk to MPH! Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below to enter in the giveaway (please remember to leave your name and email address in the comments so we can contact you if you win!):
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The book is available at MPH, and you can view their current promotions here. (Parents, you might be interested to know that the Parkway Parade branch is now having 20% off selected award-winning children titles for the month of September!)

Disclaimer: We received a copy of the book for review purposes. No monetary compensation was received, and all opinions are our own. 

26 comments:

  1. Oh we loved this book when we borrowed it from the library! I would love a copy to keep. Claire T (clairetet at gmail dot com)

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  2. Hv never done any weaving with my bous before. Winning this book n kit will provide an oppprtunity to try with my bous. Thanks!

    Cmeilim@gmail.com

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  3. I can't knit, but I can do basic sewing and cross-stitch, and I think it is important for all boys to learn skills like these. So would definitely hope to win this book to share the story with them!

    robert_sim@yahoo.com

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  4. We hv done a 'bird's nest' for DS school project.

    Sharmaine
    Marveille@gmail.com

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  5. I learnt crochet and knitting from YouTube. But so far i have not done any yarn crafts with my boy cos crocheting is quite complicated to explain! I think this look really simple and great to start with children! Hope to win and try it for my boy! I believe it helps alot in motor skills too!

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  6. The only yarn craft that my boy has done so far is sticking yarns as hair for the people that he drew/made. My girl hasn't done any craft at all as she is still a baby ;p I hope to win this book to share with my boy and girl.

    Cheryl
    cheryl_siew@yahoo.com


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  7. We have not done any...so.... this will be a great start! :)

    Wenli
    flowerie123@gmail.com

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  8. We've not done any yarn knitting projects so this will be a great start to hone his concentration!
    Amy
    amytanmail@gmail.com

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  9. this looks like a good read and activity for fine motor skills. :)

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  10. Have not done any yarn project yet, and this will be a good start!
    Waiwai
    mami(at)peipeihaohao(dot)com

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  11. A small pencilbox.
    Jingxian
    j_xian@hotmail.com

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  12. We haven't done any at all, but I'm thinking a simple mat made from straws weaved the yarning way may be an interesting activity to attempt! Pamela tanfamilychronicles@yahoo.com

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  13. Haven't made any yarn project before.

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  14. Awesome book with good ideas!

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  15. HI,

    I never tried anything like this with my kiddos.. Must be an interesting project. as they love doing rainbow loom & excited for the final outcome...

    Thanks
    ashmika
    jainash1083@gmail.com

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  16. looks like a lovely book, would love a copy to share with the little ones (:
    siminzhao@gmail.com

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  17. Try finger knitting. My little 4 year old saw a girl doing it in the library and has successfully done it too! Thanks for recommending this interesting title.
    Sophie
    Colortypesink@gmail.com

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  18. did some lovely hanging baskets.

    Jane Lee
    leeyokec@gmail.com

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  19. Oh dear, I've not done anything yarny with the kids.

    Name: Karen
    heart_ocean03@hotmail.com

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  20. I have yet to do anything with yarn with my kid. probably will do finger knitting.

    walk_of_life(at)live(dot)com

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  21. looks so cool !! would love to give this book a go. I've recently started on crochet and my daughter is very keen to do it too, so that was in our plan to start something together

    Catherine
    catfong63@gmail.com

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  22. I would love to have this for my gal to pick up a new
    Thanks
    Fionacll@gmail.com

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  23. We've not done any weaving before. Closest is rainbow loom and tying plaits for barbie dolls hahaha

    Shirley Yong
    shirley@yong.sg

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  24. Looks like a fun book!

    Debra
    Olimomok@gmail.com

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  25. This yarn mat brings back memories! One of my favorite childhood craft! Thanks for reminding.

    Claudia

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