Extra Yarn

Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator:   Jon Klassen
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray
Publication Year:   2012
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:   Kirkus Best of 2012, Caldecott Honor, Horn Book Award, EB White Picture Book Award, Booklist's Best Picture Book, School Library Journal Best

Summary:  Annabelle discovers a box full of unending yarn and knits for everyone she knows. She even makes a hat for Mr. Crabtree who would never wear even pants in the snow. An archduke comes and offered Annabelle millions of dollars for the box of yarn, but she refuses and he has it stolen. But the box is empty until he throws it away and tries to curse Annabelle. However, it makes its way back to Annabelle who is happy once more. Klassen's charming mixed media illustrations use muted color so effectively in this book, especially when depicting the dark shades of the archduke.

Classroom Ideas: This book's theme touches on the idea of greed and community and would be a wonderful conversation starter for a class discussion.There is also some repetition and a smaller theme of bullying.

The Dark

Author: Lemony Snicket
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Publisher:  Little, Brown
Publication Year:   2013
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:   Starred reviews from Horn Book, School Library Journal, & Publisher's Weekly

Summary:  Laszlo (the perfect character name here!) was afraid of the dark. The dark invites Laszlo into the basement to see something. When he gets there, the dark offers him a night light which ends the book with a funny conclusion. Klassen's illustrations set the ominous mood perfectly with their muted palette.

Classroom Ideas: This whole book is an example of personification which my kids loved. There's also some great similes in here ("The voice of the dark was as creaky as the roof of the house, and as smooth and cold as the windows....") There's a page of narration which has caused controversary from a pacing point of view. I think this would make an amazing lesson for young writers to discuss editing decisions.

I Want My Hat Back

Author & Illustrator:   Jon Klassen
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Publication Year:   2011
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:   NYT Best Illustrated

Summary:  Bear wants his hat back and he's looking for the thief. He asks each animal if they took the hat, and suddenly he remembers where he saw the hat. He discovers the thief and gets his hat back....and the fate of the thief is up to the reader to decide.

Classroom Ideas: The characters in this book are completely shown through dialogue and illustrations, no direct narration of the story. It would be interesting to get the take of students on the "character" of the characters....

This is Not My Hat

Author & Illustrator:   Jon Klassen
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Publication Year:   2013
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:   Caldecott Medal

Summary:  A small fish steals the hat of a big fish and is confident that he can get away with the thievery. While he boasts of his over confidence, the illustrations tell a different tale. A wonderful cautionary tale where the ending is left up to the reader (Did the little fish die?).

Classroom Ideas: The discussion that would be brought on by this book would be very interesting. The idea of an unrealiable narrator is one that could be introduced as kids realize that the pictures show that the little fish isn't really as clever as he thinks he is.