Phoebe's Sweater [Hardcover]

Joanna Johnson (Author), Eric Johnson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 9, 2010

This beautifully illustrated children's picture book tells the charming story of beloved Phoebe mouse, who becomes a big sister for the very first time. What is mother knitting while she waits for her new baby to arrive? A beautiful new sweater for Phoebe to wear! The book includes a lovely set of photographs and knitting patterns from the illustrated story, including Phoebe's sweater, a mouse doll in a sweet handknit dress, and a doll-sized sweater to match Phoebe's. This book is an heirloom gift for any child, especially one who is special in the life of a knitter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Phoebe's Sweater, a children's storybook with knitting patterns, is a gentle tale about many things: the expanding bond between parent, child, and child-to-be; the suspended period between knitting a sweater, gifting a sweater and wearing a sweater; a representation of time just before everything's going to change... Patterns at the back of the book include the hooded textured jacket Phoebe's mom makes her, plus a near-seamless toy version of Phoebe herself. --Yarn Market News

Phoebe's mother plans to knit Phoebe a sweater of her very own to help her with the transition of being the only child to big sister. The story is very sweet and the illustrations are absolutely fantastic. At the end of the book, Joanna includes patterns for Phoebe's Sweater, as well as patterns for Phoebe the Mouse, Phoebe's Dress and Phoebe's Doll Sweater. --Petite Purls Magazine

This is an adorable little book. The first part is the story of a cute little mouse named Phoebe whose mother knits her a special sweater while waiting for her new baby brother ir sister to arrive. It's a sweet little story, and the illustrations are wonderful. But then the second part are actual knitting patterns, so you can make the sweater for your little girl... All in all, it's a complete package of cuteness. --knittingscholar.com

Phoebe's Sweater is a beautiful gift to boys and girls alike. A tale of a special handmade sweater, and the place that it has in a child's heart, Joanna and her husband Eric do a wonderful job of reminding us all about the value of living a handmade life. --Rhythm of the Home Magazine

A sweet book full of the love a knitted sweater can bestow. The illustrations in this book are superb, rich and textured with the kind of detail that young children love to explore. --Knitty.com

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: 38 pages
• Publisher: Slate Falls Press; First edition (April 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0578046970
• ISBN-13: 978-0578046976
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,834 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

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter loves the book, I am excited about the patterns! April 15, 2010

By G Sheller

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I actually ordered this book because I wanted the sweater pattern, but was thrilled to discover that the story itself is very sweet. The illustrations are beautiful; I would have purchased the book for them alone. My four year old daughter also loved the story, so this book is a winner all around! I can't wait to knit the sweater, and my daughter wants a mouse doll too...

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Phoebe's Sweater April 28, 2010

By SH

Format:Hardcover

Phoebe's Sweater is one of those gently written and quietly illustrated books that parents and children will treasure. Often when a new baby comes into a home an older sibling feels the shift in the birth order and a little unsteady about the 'new' family and their place in it. The sweater that Phoebe's mother knit not only keeps Phoebe warm when she plays outside but reminds Phoebe that she is loved and cherished by both parents. As a former nursery school owner/teacher, mother and grandmother I would recommend this beautifully illustrated and written book to anyone.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderul book! June 26, 2010

By holywhale

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

After learning about this book on an online knitting site I quickly ordered it for my little girl. What a delightful book! I am especially loving the illustrations that show the rather large feet, ears, and tails that mice have. And the pic of the cardinal delivering the mail is a favorite as well. The best part of the book are the patterns that are included to bring the story home for your child. As a mom, I love story tie-ins that are wholesome and creative and that don't come in a Happy Meal. I'm in the process of knitting Phoebe Mouse for my daughter.

As a homeschooling parent I'm thinking of ways to use this book in a short unit study. We can study mice, identify different plants and trees and bugs, learn our colors, discuss the changing seasons, talk about families having new babies, bake bread together as Phoebe and her mother do, have an outdoor tea party with swiss cheese, etc. The possibilities are endless.
This book was obviously created with a great love for the minds of young children and the illustrations add an even greater depth to the story.