Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story

K-Gr 3—When his father leaves for World War I, Mikey wants to do something big to help. His teacher tells the class about a Knitting Bee in Central Park where volunteers will make hats, scarves, and socks to send to soldiers. At first Mikey dismisses the idea as too girly and too insignificant, but then pours his enthusiasm into the project when the effort becomes a competition between the girls and the boys. He becomes frustrated when he has trouble learning the stitches, but realizes that no contribution is too small when he meets a soldier who has lost a leg and gives him the one sock he has managed to finish. The story is a wonderful expression of emotions. Mikey's face is determined and funny at the same time, and his perseverance and the positive attitudes shown by all the children are timely reminders about the satisfaction to be had in reaching beyond oneself. The old-fashioned look of the pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations is well suited to the narrative. The warmth and humor found in the pictures lighten the tone and keep the story from becoming too serious. Combine this book, Mac Barnett's Extra Yarn (HarperCollins, 2012), and a fiber art project to make a thoughtful and cozy winter storytime session.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA