Written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, Extra Yarn is a wonderful PYP read-aloud that works beautifully across Early Years and Primary classrooms.

Summary: Annabelle lives in a cold, colorless town where everything is covered with snow and soot. One day, she finds a box of colorful yarn, and she decides to knit herself a sweater. When she’s finished, she finds she has extra yarn and decides to knit one for her dog. But that’s not it, the yarn in the box doesn’t run out, and eventually she knits sweaters for everyone and everything, transforming her community with color, warmth, and connection—until a greedy visitor tries to take it. Annabelle also proves herself to be strong-minded and confident. Even when the powerful archduke demands the magical box of yarn, she refuses to give in or bow down to him. Her quiet courage and self-belief show that true power does not come from wealth or status, but from kindness, creativity, and staying true to oneself. John Klassen’s illustrations are worth pointing out in this book. Transitioning from muted greys and whites to vibrant colors, visually showing how one person’s creativity and kindness can transform an entire community, using color as a symbol of change and connection in bringing warmth and life to the community.

Possible Transdisciplinary Themes

How We Express Ourselves: Creativity, storytelling, art, imagination, and self-expression

Who We Are: Generosity, kindness, choices, and values


Sharing the Planet: Sharing resources and how actions impact communities.

Lines of Inquiry Ideas

  • How creativity can inspire change
  • Ways people contribute to a community
  • The impact of kindness and generosity
  • How art and color affect emotions

Learner Profile Connections

  • Caring
  • Communicator
  • Thinker
  • Risk-taker
  • Reflective
  • Principled
  • Courageous