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Knit Your Bit

A World War I Story

Author Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia
Ebook
Penguin Young Readers | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
On sale Feb 21, 2013 | 32 Pages | 9781101655498
Grades K-3
Reading Level: Lexile 570L
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Mikey’s dad has left home to fight overseas during World War I, and Mikey wants to do something BIG to help. When his teacher suggests that the class participate in a knitting bee in Central Park to knit clothing for the troops, Mikey and his friends roll their eyes—knitting is for girls! But when the girls turn it into a competition, the boys just have to meet the challenge.


Based on a real “Knit-In” event at Central Park in 1918, Knit Your Bit shows readers that making a lasting contribution is as easy as trying something new! 

© Deborah Hopkinson
Deborah Hopkinson is the author of award-winning books for children and teens including Sky Boys, The Great Trouble, A Bandit's Tale, and A Letter to My Teacher. She visits schools across the country and lives in Oregon. View titles by Deborah Hopkinson
Steven Guarnaccia is an associate professor in the Illustration Program at Parsons The New School for Design. He is a former art director of the New York Times Op-Ed page, and his illustrations have appeared in books, magazines, and greeting cards. Steven lives in Brooklyn, New York.
 
Visit Steven at: www.stevenguarnaccia.com View titles by Steven Guarnaccia
STARRED REVIEW FROM BOOKLIST
 
“The bright telling is right at a kid’s level and captures both the specificity of the time and universality of human interactions. The author’s note (bolstered by an image of a contemporaneous poster) puts the fiction in solid historical context. Guarnaccia has chosen to illustrate in a style reminiscent of oldtime Sunday funnies, perfect for the story. Oversize and set on white backgrounds, the pictures keep the focus on the amiable characters.  . . . A terrific yarn.”
 
 
FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
 
“Hopkinson (A Boy Called Dickens) again gracefully mines history with this story
highlighting a patriotic civilian initiative during WWI . . . Hopkinson brings the cause into the present, suggesting resources for information about current knitting efforts for soldiers and veterans. An enlightening piece of historical fiction that drives home the idea that every little bit helps.”
 
 
FROM THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS:
 
“Hopkinson’s text is snappy and engaging and her dialogue has just enough period flavor to be authentic while still resonating with modern kids . . . Guarnaccia’s pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations use muted tones and Lois Lenski-esque figures to successfully conjure a period look, and blond Mikey is a ruddy-cheeked, knickerbockered all-American boy of the nineteen-teens.”  
 
 
FROM KIRKUS REVIEWS:
 
“As in previous titles, Hopkinson was inspired by an actual event, creating a fast-paced narrative sure to appeal to children today. E-communication has long outstripped snail mail, but the loneliness and the worry of families left behind will still resonate. Guarnaccia’s pen-and-ink–and-watercolor illustrations nicely evoke the fashions of the time period. Liberal use of white space focuses attention on the children . . . A fine entry in commemoration of the upcoming centennial of World War I.”
 
 
FROM HORN BOOK:
 
“Hopkinson provides readers with a glimpse into life on the World War I home front. . . . The illustrations’ muted hues, heavy on olive and khaki, indicate times past, but Guarnaccia also capitalizes on white space, giving readers room to consider the times and themes presented here. Hopkinson’s appended author’s note provides more information about WWI and brings the war-relief effort into the twenty-first century, noting places that today accept knitted items for soldiers.”

About

Mikey’s dad has left home to fight overseas during World War I, and Mikey wants to do something BIG to help. When his teacher suggests that the class participate in a knitting bee in Central Park to knit clothing for the troops, Mikey and his friends roll their eyes—knitting is for girls! But when the girls turn it into a competition, the boys just have to meet the challenge.


Based on a real “Knit-In” event at Central Park in 1918, Knit Your Bit shows readers that making a lasting contribution is as easy as trying something new! 

Author

© Deborah Hopkinson
Deborah Hopkinson is the author of award-winning books for children and teens including Sky Boys, The Great Trouble, A Bandit's Tale, and A Letter to My Teacher. She visits schools across the country and lives in Oregon. View titles by Deborah Hopkinson
Steven Guarnaccia is an associate professor in the Illustration Program at Parsons The New School for Design. He is a former art director of the New York Times Op-Ed page, and his illustrations have appeared in books, magazines, and greeting cards. Steven lives in Brooklyn, New York.
 
Visit Steven at: www.stevenguarnaccia.com View titles by Steven Guarnaccia

Praise

STARRED REVIEW FROM BOOKLIST
 
“The bright telling is right at a kid’s level and captures both the specificity of the time and universality of human interactions. The author’s note (bolstered by an image of a contemporaneous poster) puts the fiction in solid historical context. Guarnaccia has chosen to illustrate in a style reminiscent of oldtime Sunday funnies, perfect for the story. Oversize and set on white backgrounds, the pictures keep the focus on the amiable characters.  . . . A terrific yarn.”
 
 
FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
 
“Hopkinson (A Boy Called Dickens) again gracefully mines history with this story
highlighting a patriotic civilian initiative during WWI . . . Hopkinson brings the cause into the present, suggesting resources for information about current knitting efforts for soldiers and veterans. An enlightening piece of historical fiction that drives home the idea that every little bit helps.”
 
 
FROM THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS:
 
“Hopkinson’s text is snappy and engaging and her dialogue has just enough period flavor to be authentic while still resonating with modern kids . . . Guarnaccia’s pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations use muted tones and Lois Lenski-esque figures to successfully conjure a period look, and blond Mikey is a ruddy-cheeked, knickerbockered all-American boy of the nineteen-teens.”  
 
 
FROM KIRKUS REVIEWS:
 
“As in previous titles, Hopkinson was inspired by an actual event, creating a fast-paced narrative sure to appeal to children today. E-communication has long outstripped snail mail, but the loneliness and the worry of families left behind will still resonate. Guarnaccia’s pen-and-ink–and-watercolor illustrations nicely evoke the fashions of the time period. Liberal use of white space focuses attention on the children . . . A fine entry in commemoration of the upcoming centennial of World War I.”
 
 
FROM HORN BOOK:
 
“Hopkinson provides readers with a glimpse into life on the World War I home front. . . . The illustrations’ muted hues, heavy on olive and khaki, indicate times past, but Guarnaccia also capitalizes on white space, giving readers room to consider the times and themes presented here. Hopkinson’s appended author’s note provides more information about WWI and brings the war-relief effort into the twenty-first century, noting places that today accept knitted items for soldiers.”

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