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LSBBT BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn Cathey Graham Nickell (Children’s)

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YAZZY’S AMAZING YARN

by
CATHEY GRAHAM NICKELL
Illustrated by Emily Calimlim
  
Genre: Children’s Picture Book, Ages 4-8 
Publisher: Twenty-Eight Creative
Date of Publication: August 1, 2019
Number of Pages: 32


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Yazzy is a creative girl, always sketching out her next adventure. She loves yarn, and she loves to knit! Her neighborhood park is dull and rusty, but Yazzy has a grand plan. With a little help from her friends, Yazzy’s knitted wonders transform Penny Park into a fuzzy rainbow of warmth and color. What yarn-tastic idea will Yazzy think of next? The book includes a “History of Yarn Bombing” page for readers who are not familiar with this creative and whimsical type of art.

“As a teacher, it’s refreshing to find a book that exposes children to an alternative art form. I’m inspired by Yazzy’s story, and I know my students will be, too.” — Deborah Horwitz, Art Teacher, The Emery/Weiner School, Houston, Texas.

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I received a copy of this book for free. This is my honest and thoughtful review.
Growing up, I was surrounded by fiber arts. My mom crochets, my mother-in-law knits, and the majority of women in my family dabble in one form or the other. While I have tried both crocheting and knitting, yarn crafting just never became a go to craft for me, but I have always admired the many items that I have received for myself and my kids. There is just something so magical about having something handmade especially for you or even better if you can make it yourself! 

I absolutely enjoy reading picture books about yarn with my children to share their grandmothers’ love for this hobby with them; however, there just aren’t that many available! I jumped at the chance to read this one because I had a feeling it would be “amazing,” and it absolutely was!

“A kaleidoscope of designs spiraled the swing set. The park statue even sported leg warmers!”

Inspired by the yarn bombing movement in which urban landscapes are transformed by decorating everyday objects with colorful knit and crochet works, Yazzy is a highly creative and imaginative young girl who decides to bring life back into the neighborhood park, which has become dull and boring. After teaching her friends how to knit, they all work together to create unique items to place around the playground, ultimately creating a cozy environment that welcomes everyone to play or relax. 

The illustrations are realistic and beautifully showcase the warmth and gentleness of the story, while also conveying a sense of whimsy to this type of street art. The text is simple and straight forward enough for a wide range of attention spans and reading levels. All three of my kids (6, 3, and 2) were delighted and engaged by the story, especially the little knitting squirrel at the end who really added that humorous and endearing touch children love to see!

Overall, this is a remarkably well done children’s book that will hopefully inspire readers to pursue their own individual creative art forms. The story also pays wonderful tribute to a kinder form of public expression that encourages positive community relationships as well as fostering our sense of humor!


Cathey Nickell is a busy author and elementary school speaker, having presented at more than seventy schools to date. Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn is her second children’s book about creativity and outside-the-box artistic endeavors. She is also the author of Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car, which was awarded first place by the Texas Association of Authors in the category of Children’s Picture Books-All Ages. Cathey lives with her husband, Kevin, in Houston, where they raised their four children.


WEBSITE  ✦  FACEBOOK  ✦  TWITTERINSTAGRAM  ✦  GOODREADS   AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Emily Calimlim, while not a knitting whiz herself, loves creating art with humorous and lively watercolor pictures for children. She lives in Houston with her fiancé, George, and silly studio bird, Simon. Emily spends her days capturing her ideas and imagination with paint and pencil.

WEBSITE  ✦  FACEBOOK ✦  TWITTER ✦  INSTAGRAM 



GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

THREE AUTOGRAPHED COPIES OF YAZZY’S AMAZING YARN
August 27-September 6, 2019
(US ONLY)

a Rafflecopter giveaway  Best of luck! 

Many thanks to Lone Star Book Tours and Cathey Graham Nickell! It was a pleasure reading, reviewing, and hosting! And be sure to check out the other stops on the tour for more opinions and extras!


CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

8/27/19
Top Ten List
Sybrina’s Book Blog
8/27/19
BONUS Post
Hall Ways Blog
8/28/19
Review
That’s What She’s Reading
8/29/19
Review
Sydney Young, Stories
8/30/19
Sneak Peek
The Page Unbound
8/31/19
Deleted Scene
Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
9/1/19
Review
Chapter Break Book Blog
9/2/19
Excerpt
Books and Broomsticks
9/3/19
Sneak Peek
Rainy Days with Amanda
9/4/19
Review
All the Ups and Downs
9/5/19
Review
Missus Gonzo

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Published by thatswhatshesreading

2 thoughts on “LSBBT BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn Cathey Graham Nickell (Children’s)”

  1. What a fabulous review of an equally fabulous book! And your BOOKSTAGRAM!!!! It looks like a professional photo. Love how you go the extra mile in your reviews and are so thoughtful about the personal connections.

    Like

    Reply

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