Freddie's Blanket [Hardcover]

Joanna Johnson (Author), Eric Johnson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 2011

This beautifully illustrated knitting picture book tells the story of Freddie, a young platypus, who has an important lesson to learn about growing up. Join Freddie and his family as he learns that his own big bed might just be the best place to sleep after all! This charming book includes a lovely set of photographs and knitting patterns from the illustrated story, including: Freddie's Blanket, Freddie Platypus and his sister May, Freddie's Coveralls, and a baby swaddling blanket. This book is an heirloom gift for any child, especially one who is special in the life of a knitter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Their gentle watercolors and elaborate detail are really beautiful. This is not a book to rush through just for the story. You have to savor it and really pore over the pictures. I love all the details titles on book covers, the jumble of goods at a yard sale, the crowd at a Christmas party even the recognizable knitting patterns for the slippers Freddie's parents wear. I even spotted a cameo from Phoebe. It s the best kind of eye candy. --Knitting Scholar

Catering to young boys who might be turned off by the princessy nature of most kids' knitting books, Freddie's Blanket is the gentle tale of a junior platypus who, come bedtime, chooses to curl up with his colorful slip-stitch counterpane under the piano, in the bathtub, anywhere but his bed. Patterns for both blanket and platypus, among others, are included at the back of the story. --Yarn Market News

This book is absolutely charming. The story is simple enough to read to your little one every night and the watercolor illustrations are lush and have layers of detail. The animals in this story are full of personality, right down to the knitwear they wear. --Knitty.com

This richly illustrated book tells the delightful story of Freddie, a young platypus and his favorite knitted blanket. This charming book also includes something for grown-ups too! Mom or Grandma will love making many of the patterns illustrated in the story. This book is the perfect gift for any child. --Creative Knitting

This richly illustrated book tells the delightful story of Freddie, a young platypus and his favorite knitted blanket. This charming book also includes something for grown-ups too! Mom or Grandma will love making many of the patterns illustrated in the story. This book is the perfect gift for any child. --Creative Knitting

About the Author

Joanna Johnson is the author of Phoebe's Sweater, Freddie's Blanket, and Phoebe's Birthday. Joanna's husband, Eric Johnson, illustrates their books in a detailed style comprised of pencil, sepia ink, and watercolor. Joanna especially enjoys creating knitting, sewing, and quilting patterns to accompany their stories. The couple works from their home studios in Colorado, where they live with their three children, who offer continual inspiration for their stories. Joanna's work has also been published in Piecework, Jane Austen Knits, Petite Purls, Knitting Traditions, and Rhythm of the Home magazines. Eric and Joanna's books have been reviewed in Knitty, Interweave Knits, Knit 'N Style, Cast On, Stitch, and Knitting Today Magazines. To read more about Eric and Joanna's books and to join their mailing list, please visit the slatefallspress website.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 46 pages
• Publisher: Slate Falls Press; First edition (January 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0578071991
• ISBN-13: 978-0578071992
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #624,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joanna Johnson is the author of Phoebe's Sweater, Freddie's Blanket, and Phoebe's Birthday. Joanna's husband, Eric Johnson, illustrates their books in a detailed style comprised of pencil, sepia ink, and watercolor. Joanna especially enjoys creating knitting, sewing, and quilting patterns to accompany their stories. The couple works from their home studios in Colorado, where they live with their three children, who offer continual inspiration for their stories.

Joanna's work has also been published in Piecework, Jane Austen Knits, Petite Purls, Knitting Traditions, and Rhythm of the Home magazines.

Eric and Joanna's books have been reviewed in Knitty, Interweave Knits, Knit 'N Style, Cast On, Yarn Market News, Piecework, Knitcircus, Stitch, and Knitting Today Magazines.

To read more about Eric and Joanna's books and to join their mailing list, please visit www.slatefallspress.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and charming, with delicious eye candy June 19, 2011

By D. Boyken

Format:Hardcover

Like their last book, Phoebe's Sweater, this book is just adorable. (Yes, that really is the first thing you need to know.)

The first half of the book is the beautifully illustrated story of little platypus Freddie as he outgrows his baby blanket and moves up to his "big boy bed" with the new blanket that his Mom makes for him. It's a sweet little story, inspired by the authors' son's experience getting used to his new bed. It's sweet and charming.

And the illustrations? I adore them. Their gentle watercolors and elaborate detail are really beautiful. This is not a book to rush through just for the story. You have to savor it and really pore over the pictures. I love all the details-titles on book covers, the jumble of goods at a yard sale, the crowd at a Christmas party-even the recognizable knitting patterns for the slippers Freddie's parents wear. I even spotted a cameo from Phoebe. It's the best kind of eye candy.

This husband-and-wife team aren't done there, though. After the story is finished comes the cream--the patterns so you can make these knits for yourself. There are patterns for a Freddie doll (and his sister), his baby "envelope" blanket, his new blanket, and knitted coveralls (complete with a knitted hammer) for your own little one.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book May 20, 2011

By Naomi

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love this book - the story is sweet and the illustrations are amazing. I particularly love the elaborate detail of the illustrations and the care that has been taken to make the entire book reflect Australian plants and animals. Just beautiful.

5.0 out of 5 stars "Read it again, mom!" January 7, 2013

By buffmitten

Format:Hardcover

Having received this book as a gift for my children, we explored it together as I read it to them the first few times. I loved the sweet back-and-forth between the parents and Freddie, as he persisted in sleeping anywhere but in his bed-- every family can relate to the challenge of trying to figure out their children. My young daughter has taken this book to bed with her many times, even falling asleep while holding it, and she is taken in by the story and the pictures, which are full of interesting little details and tidbits. Every time I read the story, I am inspired to attempt some knitting or other craft project for my kiddos, who love seeing the things we make illustrated in these books.