A Special Sweater

I Did It

Children - Concept
32 Pages
Reviewed on 09/03/2024
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Tuula Pere (b. 1958) holds a Ph.D. in Law and is an award-winning children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. Her doctoral dissertation, published in 2015, examines the limits of freedom of speech in the Finnish mass media amidst the social and cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s. Prior to her doctoral research, Tuula Pere had a career spanning over two decades as a lawyer and held various expert and executive positions in large industrial companies.

Since 2010, Tuula Pere has published over sixty children's books, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. She has also authored poetry and aphorisms for children, as well as short stories and non-fiction for adults. Tuula Pere is an avid music and sports enthusiast and a keen baker. She is married and the mother of three.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

A Special Sweater (I Did It) by Tuula Pere is a cute kids' picture book. Eddy is learning to knit at school, and he’s already proud of the potholder he made. So, surely knitting a sweater won't be too difficult, will it? He’s seen pictures of sweaters in craft magazines and is confident he can do it. But no one else shares that confidence. Eddy gathers his supplies and settles down to knit his special sweater, but the result is unexpected!

A Special Sweater (I Did It) By Tuula Pere is a wonderful storybook with lovely, lively illustrations by Catty Flores. This is a fun read that will have kids laughing out loud in places, but it’s also educational. This story teaches kids that having the confidence to try something is half the battle, and if the result is not what you expected, it doesn’t matter – the fact that you gave it your best shot is good enough. The characters in this story are likable and easy for kids to relate to; I’m sure many will see themselves in Eddy. The message here is to try, and if you fail, keep on trying. Eventually, you will succeed, even if the results are somewhat unique. This book is written in simple language, very easy for kids to read and follow, and the illustrations make it even easier. I think books like this should always be on the reading list for kids at school and home, giving them every chance to learn that they are all different and should embrace their uniqueness wholeheartedly and be proud of their achievements.

Pikasho Deka

Enjoy a light-hearted tale about a young boy and his attempts to knit with this picture book. Tuula Pere's A Special Sweater (I Did It) follows Eddy, a young boy who has recently learned to knit and is immensely proud of a potholder he made at school. Eddy is convinced he can make something bigger now that he knows how to knit. After looking at photos of some sweaters of famous designers from Norway in a colorful crafts magazine, Eddy decides to make a sweater for himself. Despite his mother's warnings, Eddy finds some knitting needles and yarn and starts working on his project. Not everything goes smoothly, and the result is somewhat unexpected. But Eddy really likes it, and that's what matters. He proudly wears his brightly-colored sweater to school.

If you're passionate about something, don't let anything stand in your way, and continue to work on it. That's what Eddy does in this hilarious story. A Special Sweater (I Did It) is light-hearted and funny and reminds readers to have fun while doing the things they love. Tuula Pere's stories always have vibrant characters as protagonists with distinct personalities that set them apart. Eddy is another compelling character who I'm sure kids will love. This is one of those stories that plays out like a cartoon, which is another reason this book is more than likely to be a hit among young readers. Catty Flores, once again, knocks it out of the park with the artwork. All in all, a thoroughly entertaining picture book for children.

Bryone Peters

A Special Sweater: I Did It by Tuula Pere is about a young boy, Eddy, who faces problems in knitting a sweater but overcomes the obstacles. His family is skeptical and shows little encouragement. Nevertheless, Eddy finds solutions to the challenges and believes in himself. He designs his sweater and shows it to his mother. Eddy is determined to knit a unique sweater, like the famous designers shown in the magazines. His family awaits the results anxiously when he is ready to show them his creation after completion. Eddy could not be prouder of himself. He did it all by himself. Eddy is beyond happy. However, how will he manage any negative comments? Will he dismiss any negativity with confidence and zeal?

A Special Sweater: I Did It by Tuula Pere is a story of confidence, tenacity, and enthusiasm for completing a task. Eddy, the protagonist, sets an excellent example of resisting influence by negative comments or doubt. He tries to do something that no one in his class can do, which is commendable. The story, therefore, does a magnificent job of encouraging young readers to start and finish a task despite the unenthusiastic emotions of other people. The illustrations by Catty Flores beautifully show the events and the actions of the protagonist. The Images effectively display the message the author wishes to portray. Young readers will be able to identify the problems that Eddy encountered and his search for viable solutions. In this way, he achieved what he set out to do.

Bruce Arrington

A Special Sweater by Tuula Pere is an upbeat story about Eddy, who is learning new skills. He is creative, imaginative, and enthusiastic about his plans to learn new things. He begins with a potholder and that idea expands into a sweater. So he gets some patterns and goes to work, full of confidence and positivity. The other characters in the story, namely his family, also provide their perspectives on his achievements. Sometimes they are positive, and at different times they are not. In this regard, I think it’s just as important for parents to read this book as it is for young readers because it shows how powerful words are: they can build up or tear down. And in this story, they do both.

This is an excellent book for parents or guardians of children who want to learn new things. It provides an example of courage and a good attitude (found in Eddy), but it also highlights the challenges that go with learning. For example, the pattern for the sweater called for a certain type of material but there was none around. The knitting needles are too short and not the right kind for this project. But instead of giving up, Eddy faces the problems head-on and flexes his thinking skills to accomplish what he sets out to do. Through thick and thin he stays with his project until it is finished. His final product reflects his hard work and effort. A Special Sweater by Tuula Pere is a great example of how a young person can persevere through obstacles. Highly recommended.

Carol Thompson

A Special Sweater by Tuula Pere follows Eddy, a young boy with a creative spirit and a newfound passion for knitting. After mastering the basics of knitting at school by making a potholder, Eddy ambitiously takes on the challenge of knitting a sweater for himself. His enthusiasm is infectious, but not everyone around him shares his confidence. Obstacles mark Eddy's journey—his family doubts his ability to complete such a large project, and he struggles to find suitable materials. Instead of giving up, he adapts to his situation, using whatever supplies he can find. The months-long process tests his patience and creativity, but Eddy’s unwavering determination ultimately leads him to success. The sweater he creates may not look like the polished designs in the magazine, but it is uniquely his, and he wears it with pride.

A Special Sweater by Tuula Pere is a delightful and inspiring children's book that teaches young readers the value of determination and perseverance. A Special Sweater beautifully captures the importance of resilience and a positive attitude in facing challenges. Eddy's ability to turn setbacks into opportunities for learning is a powerful lesson for young readers. The narrative emphasizes that success isn't about perfection but the effort and heart you put into your endeavors. Tuula Pere's storytelling is engaging and relatable, making Eddy's journey an excellent read for children. Catty Flores' illustrations add warmth and vibrancy to the story, perfectly complementing the text and bringing Eddy's world to life. This is an excellent book for young readers.