Knitting in Picture Books

Knitting in Picture Books: An Annotated Bibliography

Picture books that feature knitting, whether in the text of the story or in the illustrations, have a special place in my heart. Links here point to my review of the book here at More Than True.

Blackwood, Mary. Derek, the Knitting Dinosaur (illus. Kerry Argent). Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 1990, c1987. (Previously published as: Derek, the dinosaur. 1987 by Omnibus Books, Adelaide, Australia)

Derek enjoys knitting more than roaring or stomping, unlike his fearsome brothers. When the weather gets colder, everyone comes to appreciate his hobby.

Elliott, David. Knitty Kitty (illus. Christopher Denise). Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press, 2008.

Three little kittens use their handknit hat, scarf, and mittens to keep their snowman cozy, then realize that they need something to keep them warm!

Clifton-Brown, Holly. Annie Hoot and the Knitting Extravaganza. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Group, 2010. (First published: London: Andersen Press, 2010)

Sweet (if slightly dim) Annie is disappointed when the other owls refuse to wear her knitted clothes, so she travels the world in search of some knitter appreciation.

Geras, Adele. From Lullaby to Lullaby (illus. Kathryn Brown). New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, c1997.

Mother knits a blanket and sings a lullaby while waiting for her little one to fall asleep.

Klise, Kate. Shall I Knit You A Hat?: a Christmas Yarn (illus. M. Sarah Klise). New York: Henry Holt, 2004.

After Mother Rabbit knits Little Rabbit a special hat to keep his ears warm in an approaching blizzard, he has an idea that she should knit special hats for all their friends for Christmas.

Millen, C.M. A Symphony for the Sheep (illus. Mary Azarian). New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.

A poetic representation of shearing, spinning, weaving, and knitting in rural Ireland. Each section has a different rhythm, mirroring the activities described.

Ommen, Sylvia Van. Surprise, The. (Verrassing). Asheville, N.C.: Front Street, 2007. (Originally published: Rotterdam: Lemniscaat, 2004.)

A wordless picture book that follows Sheep as he creates a special sweater for Giraffe.

Pinkney, Jerry. Three Little Kittens. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2010.

In this extended version of the nursery rhyme, the three kittens lose, then find, their very special mittens.

Roth, Julie Jersild. Knitting Nell. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006.

Nell is a knitter, not a talker, until she wins a special prize at the County Fair.

Schubert, Leda. Feeding the Sheep (pictures by Andrea U’Ren). New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2010.

Mother transforms a sheep’s wool to a girl’s sweater, explaining each step along the way.

Sloat, Teri. Farmer Brown Shears his Sheep: a Yarn about Wool (illus. Nadine Bernard Westcott). New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2000.

The sheep are very cold and unhappy after shearing… until Farmer Brown knits each one of them a cardigan to wear.

Wild, Margaret. Mr. Nick’s Knitting (illus. Dee Huxley). San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1989, c1988.

Mr. Nick and Mrs. Jolley used to knit together every morning on the commuter train. Now, Mrs. Jolley is very sick, and Mr. Nick wants to cheer her up.

2 Replies to “Knitting in Picture Books”

  1. Hi Beth!

    It’s Ted, from class. I’ve booked-marked your site. I find your comments insightful, and filled with the same quirky humor you’ve shared in your drafts with our class.

    Question: my niece has a rare autoimmune disorder and is fighting for her life. She just completed 8 weeks of chemo, and is getting prepped for a bone marrow transplant, which may or may not happen. She’s 10 years-old.

    To pass the time, she’s started knitting. When I was in SFO last week, she was working on a hat. I’m not sure what her skill level is, but she’s a super smart and kind little girl. Do you have a book recommendation for her about knitting? thanks, ted

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