In my home, books are treasured resources, just as I’m sure they are in yours. Books give us a place to escape, to dream, and to learn! Today, we’re focusing on wool and weaving books for children.
As an avid yarn spinner, weaver and knitter, I love sharing my art with my kids. My youngest child is too young to do a lot of weaving or spinning (although she does her best!), so she enjoys reading about those skills. These are our very favorite books on fiber processing, and why we love them so much:
Haircuts for Little Lambs
This charming tale by award-winning author and illustrator, Tomie DePaola, tells the story of the Woolsey children. Mary, Tom and Tim Woolsey have been looking forward to springtime and playing outdoors, and are happy when Papa Woolsey gives them their spring haircuts. But when a surprise snowstorm comes up, it’s too cold to play outside and the Woolsey children regret their haircuts. But maybe Granny Woolsey can help…
Haircuts for Little Lambs (formerly titled Haircuts for The Woolseys) is suited for ages 2 and up. This tale is an introduction to the concept that wool is shorn from sheep to make sweaters. My favorite part of the story is that Mary Woolsey has an adorable Charlie doll, which brings us to my next choice –
Charlie Needs A Cloak
In another favorite pick by Tomie DePaola, Charlie is a shepherd with a large house, a big hat, and a flock of fine sheep, but everyone says “Charlie needs a cloak!” Follow Charlie step by step as he cares for his sheep, then shears, cards, spins, dyes and weaves the wool into a beautiful new cloak.
Charlie Needs A Cloak is ideal for ages 3 and up. I never get tired of this book, and I’ve been reading it to my kids for over 20 years. Young readers can learn the correct terms for many of the tools and processes for turning wool into clothing. If I had to choose only one weaving book for children, this would probably be it.
Pelle’s New Suit
Pelle’s New Suit was originally published in Sweden by Elsa Beskow, and has been translated into English as well as other languages. Charming illustrations follow young Pelle as he enlists his family and townspeople to help him make a new suit from his very own sheep’s wool. My daughter and I love talking about how all the people Pelle asks to help him are happy to – but if they are going to spend their time helping him, it will leave them without enough time to do their own chores. When asked to help them with their work, Pelle happily agrees, showing a good attitude and willingness to work for the things he wants.
Pelle’s New Suit is wonderful for ages 3 and up. Give-and-take is a theme running throughout the book, and gives an opportunity to discuss work ethic as well as the steps it takes to turn Pelle’s sheep’s wool into a beautiful new blue suit.
A New Coat For Anna
This heartwarming story by Harriet Ziefert is set in Europe in the aftermath of World War II. Money is scarce, but Anna needs a warm winter coat. Anna’s mother barters with the craftspeople in her area to provide the coat for Anna – and makes new friends in the process.
A New Coat for Anna is recommended for children ages 3 and up. This book is a good way to discuss the history surrounding World War II and the hardships that war brings, while also stressing the importance of skills like bartering and making yarn and sewing clothing. For those reasons I would also recommend this book for upper-elementary grades as well.
The Goat In The Rug
This is another book I never get tired of! The adorable tale of the making of a Navajo rug is “told” by the Angora goat, Geraldine, to Charles L. Blood and Martin Link. The book tells the story of Geraldine’s friend, Glenmae, who is a Navajo weaver. Follow Geraldine and Glenmae from shearing to finished rug, and giggle at Geraldine when she eats the plants that Glenmae has collected to dye the yarn.
The Goat In the Rug is good for children ages 4 and up, but was originally given to us by a 3rd-grade teacher who used it in her classroom, which shows just how ageless and fun this book is. The discussion around this book can be about Navajo culture, or about the disappearing traditions of various cultures around the world. This book is also special because rather than focusing on sheep’s wool, this book focuses on mohair from a goat!
Expand your home library with these lovely weaving books for children!
I know you’ll enjoy these fantastic books just as much as my family loves ours. Have other recommendations? Comment or message me so we can enjoy them, too.
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This affects your purchase price in no way whatsoever, but anything I might earn helps me keep this website running, so thank you for purchasing through my links!