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Knitting + Picture Books = Love… six books to keep you warm

January 22, 2017 Claire Annette Noland 6 Comments

Hello there! I’m so glad you stopped by. I haven’t been posting much lately because I have been traveling about and reading lots and lots of books.

I am sitting in my nice cozy chair listening to the rain and watching the Kings River flow past our home. Today would be a good day to knit – if I knew how.  Instead, I’ve been reading some very sweet picture books about knitting that I found at the library.

Mr. Nick’s Knitting by Margaret Wild (author) and Dee Huxley (illustrator) Harcourt Brace & Co 1988

Do you sometimes wonder how your children choose their favorite books? Mr. Nick’s Knitting was my daughter Roxanne’s favorite book. We read it over and over and over. It tells the story of the friendship between Mr. Nick and Mrs. Jolley who rode the seven o’clock train together each day into the city. They pass the time knitting toys (Mrs. Jolley) and sweaters (Mr. Nick) while they chat and observe the scenery passing by. One week, Mrs. Jolley doesn’t show up for the train ride and lonely Mr. Nick loses interest in knitting. When he learns that she is very ill and all alone in the hospital, he knits day and night to make her a very special gift.

Knitting Nell by Julie Jersild Roth (author and illustrator) Houghton Mifflin 2006

Nell is a quiet observant girl who stopped talking after a bigger boy made fun of her voice. Instead she knits. In fact, she knits wherever she goes. She knits blankets for babies, socks and hats for the children’s home, scarves for her family, and eventually a beautiful sweater. She enters her sweater in the county fair and wins. Her school friends are amazed and ask her teach them to knit. She does and finally finds her voice.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett (author) and Jon Klassen (illustrator) Harper Collins 2012

When Annabelle discovers a box filled with colorful yarn, she uses it to knit a sweater for herself and then one for her dog. But, the box is still full of yarn. So, she knits sweaters for the people in her town. There’s still more yarn so she knits for the town’ animals and then for things that don’t normally wear sweaters.

A greedy archduke hears about this box of never ending yarn and tries to buy it. No deal. So, he steals it but when he opens the lid, he finds that the box is empty. Thrown into the sea, the box makes its way back to Annabelle who finds it filled with extra yarn. The illustrations are lovely starting with sparse color and harsh winter scenery which softens and brightens as Annabelle knits the town.

Ned the Knitting Pirate by Diana Murray (author) and Leslie Lammle  Roaring Brook Press 2016

This rhyming picture book is just plain fun. A band of pirates are heading out to sea to hunt for treasure and do other pirate-y things. All except Ned who likes to knit. Ned is threatened when:

The captain stomped his wooden leg. “I won’t be hearin’ that!
A scurvy pirate doesn’t knit, nor wear a fuzzy hat.”

However, when the pirates are attacked by a briny ocean beast, Ned’s knitting skills saves the boat and crew.

Lots of pirate language and humorous illustrations make this a good read aloud.

Knit Together by Angela Dominguez (author and illustrator) Dial Books 2015

What’s not to love about this book? It’s about a little girl who loves to draw and her mother who knits. When the girl tries to learn how to knit, she soon realizes how difficult and frustrating it can be.

The mom explains that she is inspired by her daughter. Together they come up with a plan using Mom’s knitting skills and the daughter’s drawing ability to create something beautiful that they can share together. The simple but powerful text and combined with the darling illustrations makes a wonderful book about perseverance, problem solving, and love.

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman A Story about Knitting and Love by Michelle Edwards (author) and   G. Brian Karas (illustrator)  Schwartz & Wade Books 2016

Sophia’s neighbor, Mrs. Goldman, cares for her neighbors by knitting them all hats. Sophia helps by making pom poms for the top of the hats. On a cold wintry walk, Sophia notices that Mrs. Goldman’s doesn’t have a hat of her own so she decides to make her one. Sophia hardly knows how to knit but that doesn’t stop her and she finds a great solution to cover up the holes in the hat. The illustrations are soft and tender, perfectly capturing the warm relationship between Mrs. Goldman and Sophia.  Subtlety woven into the story are cultural details about Mrs. Goldman’s Jewish heritage and Sophia’s Mexican roots. There are instructions included for knitting a hat and making pom poms.

 

Isn’t it interesting that knitting stories are filled with love?  Knitting can also become a symbol of solidarity. If you look closely at the illustrations in A Hat for Mrs. Goldman, you will see Sophia wearing a kitty hat knitted by Mrs. Goldman.

Doesn’t it look similar to the pussy hats being worn in the Women’s March. Click here to get the pattern and learn more about the hats.

I also appreciate that there are books that show men and boys knitting. Take a peek at this amazing knitter and his global project.

I admire the wonderful people who knit warm clothing for those in need. Through the Blogging A to Z Challenge I was introduced to Sandy who blogs at Bridge and Beyond. Check out Sandy’s alphabet describing the ways that homeless men and women have been helped by this project.

Do you knit? Or, like me, just want to learn. I stopped by Swatches, our local yarn store. I’m signing up for one of their classes so that I can knit my own pink  hat.

Filed Under: Books Tagged With: A Hat for Mrs. Goldman, Extra Yarn, knitting in picture books, Knitting Nell, Mr. Nick's Knitting, Ned the Knitting Pirate

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joan Schoettler says

    January 22, 2017 at 1:26 pm

    What a great collection of knitting books! Extra Yarn is one of my favorites. I’ll share the others with my granddaughter who has recently picked up yarn and needles.

    Reply
  2. evelyne holingue says

    January 22, 2017 at 9:12 pm

    This is for my daughter Calliope, Claire! She is so much into knitting. Too bad she’s too old for these lovely PB.
    Also, bravo on your new website. Loved the other one but this updated version is very cool.

    Reply
  3. Trine says

    January 22, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    Claire, I am warmer and more cozy just reading your post. I have read some of these. Thanks for the other suggestions.

    Hope you are enjoying 12×12 this year so far.

    Reply
  4. Pam Margolis says

    January 23, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    those look so warm and inviting. and a PIRATE who knits? (swoon).

    Reply
  5. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says

    January 24, 2017 at 11:46 am

    What fun picks! I remember my nieces started knitting when they were just little girls. I bet they would have enjoyed these books.

    Reply
  6. Crystal Collier says

    January 25, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    Oh my cuteness!! I definitely need to pick up a few of those to read to my almost 2 year old. Ned the Knitting Pirate really appeals to me, art style wise.

    Reply

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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claireannettenolandbooks

Author | teacher | Field Trip Planner
books that take you places
Raven’s Gift
Nancy Bess Had a Dress
Evie’s Field Day
Out and About w George series

Today’s the day! I’m the featured author on to Today’s the day! I’m the featured author on today’s Summer of Stories! Take a look and let me know what you think. The link is in my bio.

And then check out all the other great stories!

#summerofstories #floursackdresses #floursack #makedo #picturebookreadaloud 

@angelac.hawkins @gnomeroadpublishing @eringreneaux
I'm excited to share that the Crystal Kite Award v I'm excited to share that the Crystal Kite Award voting continues until July 18th for members of SCBWI. Our book, Nancy Bess Had a Dress, is in the Southwest Division (where illustrator @angelac.hawkins lives)

Members, you can vote for books in all of the regions.
Cast your vote at this link: 

https://www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite/CK8

I will be sharing Nancy Bess July 11th online for the Summer of Stories https://summerofstories.substack.com/

and I'll be doing story time and craft at the Three River Public Library on July 11th at 10:30

@gnomeroadpublishing @pbspree @eringreneaux @tularecountylib 
@scbwicencal #crystalkiteaward
Instagram post 18090291214629192 Instagram post 18090291214629192
We are enjoying a lovely summer’s day with CARL’S SLEEPY AFTERNOON thanks to our friends @laughingelephantbooks who sent us a copy signed by Alexandra Day and Carl!
Happy 40th Anniversary, Carl! You are such a good dog 🐾❤️
Carl has an opportunity to have a quiet and sleepy afternoon but does he rest? Not our Carl!
We’re on our 3rd generation loving this noble good dog and look forward to reading about his adventures for many more years!

#gooddogcarl #picturebookdogs #summerreading @mrernierecommends @christinabeeghly @laurennolandhajik @roxannenoland @gn705
Summer is the best time to beat the heat by taking Summer is the best time to beat the heat by taking your young ones to a museum. And I suggest, before you go, you share the delightful picture book, MousterWorks, written and illustrated by @angelac.hawkins
Young mice, Cosette and Pépin, join Grand-mère on a splendid adventure through a mouse hole into a museum. They gaze at brilliant interpretations of well-known painting by famous artists such as Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, and Edward Banister. Cosette excitedly engages with the art while her brother, Pépin, searches for cheese in the art and eventually realizes that he can be an artist and paint his favorite things.

The final photo is 2.5 year old Alice at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. She was captivated by "Home Sweet Home" (after Seurat, Manet, and Pippin) painted by Wangari Mathenge

Art is for all ages.

To read my full review, visit my blog https://afieldtriplife.com/mousterworks-lets-go-to-a-museum/

@gnomeroadpublishing #mousterworks #artmuseumswithkids
@laurennolandhajik
Looking forward to simple unscheduled days! #july Looking forward to simple unscheduled days!
#july #afieldtriplife #summer
Look what we found featured at the library! #nancy Look what we found featured at the library! #nancybesshadadress 
Thank you @tularecountylib 
#summerreading #picturebooks #librarylove 
@angelac.hawkins @gnomeroadpublishing
Happy Summer! At the top of our summer "to do" lis Happy Summer! At the top of our summer "to do" list is visiting libraries where I love to see staff recommendations. SUMMER: A Solstice Story written by @kelseyegross and illustrated by @renataliwska is such a lovely picture book.
Owl, Squirrel, Raccoon, Bear, Sparrow, Rabbit, Woodpecker, and Deer gather to celebrate the arrival of summer with its gifts of light and new life. The friends share sprouts, fresh water, flowers, and fruit each accompanied by special wishes for the little ones to shine, glow, shimmer, gleam, and blaze bright with solstice light. They spend the day with festivities as they dance, splash, hop, and savor a forest feast.
I shared this with a group of children the night before the Solstice so that they understood how special this date is. Then, we read it again as the sun set on the longest day of the year after partaking of many of the same activities done by the woodland animals. They really enjoyed the center pages that fold out.
This is a soft, gentle, and breathtakingly beautiful picture book that should be enjoyed all summer long. @pbspree #summersolstice #summerasolsticestory
We have been Good Dog Carl fans for almost 4 decad We have been Good Dog Carl fans for almost 4 decades so we are excited to celebrate 40 years of our favorite picture book series! I love the book mom and Carl’s adventures are the best!
So let’s raise a toast to Carl, the very good dog, and to  @laughingelephantbooks Here’s to many more wonderful years of ❤️ filled stories.
#wewon #gooddogcarl #afieldtriplife #picturebookdogs @laurennolandhajik @christinabeeghly @roxannenoland
Military families are made up of heroes, those who Military families are made up of heroes, those who leave home to serve and those who stay behind. It isn’t easy to find books featuring military families, so I was excited to discover when AS MUCH as the STARS: A Story of Love Across the. Miles – A Child’s Goodbye/ AS MUCH AS THE STARS: A Story of love across The Miles: A Mother’s Farewell. I love flip books because they are clever and provide a fun way to read two stories told from different perspectives. AS MUCH AS THE STARS does an exceptional job of showing the love and emotions surrounding a deployment and then a joyous return. In this authentic, well-written story, one half follows a young girl and her relationship with her military father. The other half features the viewpoint of that girl, now grown, whose son leaves home to serve. warm and colorful illustrations add to the text showing the love that is shared even when they are separated by great distances.
This is a wonderful book for all families and will help everyone understand the sacrifices that our brave service members make. I just wish this book had been available when I was teaching children in military families.
Written by Forrest Zenone, Skyler Zenone, and Tricia Stone-Shumaker
Illustrations by Penny Weber
@poppysadventures1 @pennyweberart @laurennolandhajik #militaryfamilies #asmuchasthestars
#mrernierecommends
FYI… sweet peas are blooming on Old Creek Road a FYI… sweet peas are blooming on Old Creek Road around Whale Rock Reservoir
The story of how they got there reminds me of Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney “You must do something to make the world more beautiful.” 
Read how these delicate blossoms came to grace the highways in San Luis Obispo County: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/johnny-appleseed-sweet-peas-planted-120000196.html

Lupine, poppies, and wild mustard are also blooming.

#sweetpeas #jackcreekfarms #roadtrip #afieldtriplife #missrumphius
I love finding new-to-me bookstores. @verbatim.boo I love finding new-to-me bookstores. @verbatim.books is a treasure!
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