It’s officially September, which means it’s our new book’s birthday month!
This time around, I thought it might be fun to celebrate with some swag, so I enlisted Daisy to make me some stickers.
What I didn’t know was that her mom would throw in some custom magnets and her sister Cecily would surprise me with some buttons, and I’m so grateful for their kindness and generosity.
So now all we need is for Amazon and B&N Online to let us know that it’s live and available for purchase. Fingers crossed that it’s this week.
In case you missed it on our home page, we’ve gotten some heart-felt reviews; check out these reflections from author and friend, Claire Noland.
KNIT {BACK} TOGETHER is a beautifully written and illustrated story of intergenerational love, remembrance, and friendship. This charming, heartwarming story is told in first person by Levi, a boy who has moved in with his grandmother. He feels safe and warm with Grams and loves their time together. Grams is a knitter and spends time creating gifts for others. She promised to teach her grandson to knit but, sadly, that day never came as she became ill and was gone too soon.
Lost and flooded with unfamiliar emotions, Levi struggles but learns that his new class has a knitting corner. Frances, a classmate, offers to teach him to knit, and though he’s reluctant, he agrees to try as he remembers Grams’ encouraging words to be patient, never panic and pull. Grams wise words guide him through a difficult encounter with a bully and help him to forge new friendships. When he and his Frances donate their joint project, Levi comes to truly understand what Grams meant when she called knitting for others heart work.
Five reasons you need to add KNIT {BACK} TOGETHER to your bookshelves:
Grief is handled sensitively in a way that speaks right to the heart of a child who has lost their guiding light and must deal with sadness and difficult emotions.
Knitting is a central feature of this lovely story showing how knitting creates a sense of calm peace and is a way to share kindness and develop connections. Knitted objects become expressions of love, or as Grams would say, works of heart.
The importance of passing on wisdom and love shines through on every page of this special story.
The backmatter is extensive with suggestions for starting a knitting club and a recipe for Gramma Emma’s Monster Cookies -yum!
There is a special section on practical ways to help grieving children by giving them the tools they need when dealing with loss.
KNIT {BACK} TOGETHER is a wonderful story that is meant to be read and shared together and perhaps will encourage readers to take up knitting. ~ Claire Noland, MSLIS, Children’s Book Author, Speaker, Field Trip Planner
Don’t you love that she’s a Field Trip Planner? I think that’s a fun addition to a byline.
Check out the home page for other reviews and to read a brief synopsis.
I’m booking author visits and virtual read-alouds for this Fall now, so do let me know if you’d like me to work with your school family.
Happy September, dear reader.
Barbara Gruener 