I have to admit that I’m a big fan of local Bay Area author Mac Barnett and also the illustrator Jon Klassen (I Want My Hat Back).  Annabelle lives in a town with no color.  One day, she finds a box with colorful yarn.  She knits herself a sweater, when she has some yarn left over, she knits a sweater for her dog Mars.  The yarn never seems to run out, and Annabelle never seems to stop wanting to knit.  Soon her drab town is covered in wonderful color, everyone has a sweater (or a hat), including the bird houses, the trees, the houses, the pets.  Color is everywhere.  My students love watching the book come to life as Annabelle knits.  But, like every great book, there is a villian. The archduke offers millions of dollars to Annabelle if se will just give up her magical yarn.  When Annabelle says, “no”, the Archduke steals the box.  My students love this book and are always quiet until the end, when they applaud.  It’s a wonderful read aloud for all second to fifth graders in the library or just one on one at home.