One of our dear girl’s gifts for her recent birthday was a sweet little book called Pelle’s New Suit by Elsa Beskow.  It was first published in 1912 in Sweden and has been reprinted many times since.

It depicts the making of a young boy’s suit from his shearing his own sheep, through the various stages of fibre preparation and processing to the final sewing of the suit.  

The boy either does the work himself or exchanges his labour for the skilled work of another.

Isn’t it lovely? It is quite possible I love this book even more than my children do.  So often when I buy yarn or a finished garment, I forget that there is a sheep at the beginning and the labour of many people in between.  This book gently reminds me.

If you want to see how Pele’s suit turns out – you’ll  have to read it!

What is your favourite children’s picture book that celebrates making?  I think I feel a Top Ten brewing!