I'm drawn to picture book about knitting and quilting, and this historical fiction - about World War I, is a good one! I'm not drawn to these illustrations, though (apologies to Mr. Guarnaccia). Yes, boys can knit, too! Check out: Knitting for Charity at knittingforcharity.org!

This is a delightful tale of a young boy who takes up knitting to challenge girls in his class at the Knit Bee. The group is knitting for soldiers during World War I. The author has a nice historical summary in the back of the book and a few sources for anyone interested to learn more. I really love the black and white pictures on the end papers of young boys and girls knitting.

This was so sweet, I almost cried at the end! I liked the look at boys on the home front as I haven’t read many stories from their perspective. And the illustrations were bold and bright!

When I was 10 years old, I was diligently knitting away at a mitten when I realized I had made a mistake. Imagine my surprise when my dad sat down beside me, took my knitting and fixed my mistake. Turns out, my dad knew how to knit rather well.*

So, I knew I wanted to read Knit Your Bit the moment I first heard about it. The United States had entered World War I in April 1917, and lots of men rushed to enlist, leaving their families behind. This is true for young Mikey, whose Pop is also a soldier and who has just shipped off to fight overseas in Europe. Mikey is very frustrated that he has to stay home and can't do something big and important to help the war effort, too. Nevertheless, he turns up his nose when his mother asks if he would like to learn to knit for the soldiers along with his sister. Mikey turns the offer down, because, well, boys don't knit!

But when his teacher announces that there will be a three-day Knitting Bee in Central Park to make hats, socks and scarves for US servicemen overseas, Mikey is challenged by a girl to learn to knit and participate - boys against the girls. And so it is settled - the Boys' Knitting Brigade vs. the Purl Girls.

The only problem is - knitting isn't quite as easy as the boys thought it would be. Yet, they soon master knit, and then it is on to purl. Mikey works on socks, friend Nick on a muffler and Dan works mostly on tangling and untangling his yarn.

The first day of the Knitting Bee finally arrives and there are lots of people participating - men, women, girls and, yes, even other boys. And there's also lots of food, a band and before they all know it, it is time to cast on.

As Mikey does his best trying to knit a pair socks, he learns a mighty important lesson from a disabled soldier about what it really means to do something big and important to help the war effort and the brave soldiers overseas. But who wins the challenge? The Boys' Knitting Brigade or the Purl Girls?

Knit Your Bit is based on a three-day knitting bee held in Central Park in August 1918 and sponsored by the Navy League Comforts Committee. It is a heartwarming story that might even bring a tear or two to your eyes. Hopkinson has seamlessly woven in Mikey's story with this event to produce a wonderful story that shows that sometimes what counts it isn't how well you do something, rather what counts is doing something out of your comfort zone, doing your best and doing it in the right spirit. Wonderfully humorous pen, ink and watercolor illustrations by Steven Guarnaccia add much to the enjoyment of Knit Your Bit. The lines are clean and simple, yet delightfully expressive, and I really liked how they reflect the clothing of the period.

Hopeinson has provided lots of back matter including a Red Cross knitting poster from WWI, an Author's Note which you should be sure to read all about the real Knitting Bee and sources for more information.

Though this is a story that all will enjoy, sending gifts to loved ones fighting in a war is long held tradition and for that reason, I think Mikey's story will particularly resonate for readers in today's world, especially those who have or know someone who has a relative deployed overseas.

This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was sent to me by the publisher as part of a Knit Your Bit Blog Tour.

*Oh, and my dad the knitter - poor guy was in his fifties when I was born, so yes, he knitted as a young boy for WWI.

I love historical fiction for its connection to the past, its ability to illuminate history in way that is relatable, and how--when done right--it captures a time, place, and feeling of reality. Knit Your Bit achieves that winning combination by shining a light on the real "Knit-In" in Central Park in 1918 that produced a haul of knitted clothing for soldiers fighting in World War I. The story is told through the eyes of a young boy, Mikey, whose father has just left for the battlefield. Mikey wants to do something for the war effort...he just didn't expect it to be knitting!

I really liked this book: the story, the illustrations, the sentiment. I think it bridges truth and storytelling with ease. Even though it is a picture book, it would be a great resource for older students studying World War I. They could make deeper connections with the content. My only tweak is that the book reminded me of the Molly books (American Girl) in that I can envision it expanded, possibly into an early-reader or full chapter book. I liked the characters, and I only wish they could have been fleshed out more. Nevertheless, it was an excellent story.

More historical fiction than nonfiction, but the realism makes it really close. A fun and heartfelt story, the only thing that would have added were some knitting patterns for kids.

I love when I read a children's book and I learn bits of our country's history that I didn't know about! Makes me think we need to make sure the book is more widespread so today's children don't grow up not knowing this great tidbits as well! This is one of those books. I didn't know that people across the country were asked to knit for our troops! I like that they show a boy who is resistant to it because it's a girl thing (definitely a stereotype I still hear about knitting!), but then he gets into it! I definitely enjoy the real photos in the back!

fun book about knitting to support the troops during WWI

This is a delightful tale of a young boy who takes up knitting to challenge girls in his class at the Knit Bee. The group is knitting for soldiers during World War I. The author has a nice historical summary in the back of the book and a few sources for anyone interested to learn more. I really love the black and white pictures on the end papers of young boys and girls knitting.

Even made me tear up a little. I do love a good knitting story.