The Patchwork Quilt

The Patchwork Quilt

Author: Valerie Flournoy

Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney

Genre: Fiction

Major Awards: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award

Grade Level: Pre-K-2

Summary: This heartwarming story follows Tanya as she first watches and then helps her grandmother start to make a quilt from pieces of each family member's clothing. Tanya learns that masterpieces take time, patience, and hard work. She also learns that quilts, when special and made with love, tell stories with every square and stitch. Towards the end of the book, Tanya's grandma grows very ill, so Tanya worked tirelessly to continue to make the quilt, even cutting off a piece of her grandmother's quilt that her mother (Tanya's great-grandmother) made. When the quilt was finished, it had a "piece" of each family member. Tanya's mom and grandmother presented the quilt to as a gift, filled with memories and "stories" that will last a lifetime.

Evaluation: I would definitely use this book in my classroom, even if it were just for the beautiful illustrations. However, I absolutely love the message that beautiful and special things take hard work and time. I also think that exposure to other cultures is very important for children, especially in a world that still seems to be filled with so much hate.

This book is most appropriate for pre-k through second. It is a story that young children can relate to and that would help foster classroom discussions including family holidays and traditions, playing with siblings, and being close to your family. For pre-k through first, it is a good book to read aloud that you can ask probing questions about. Children in second grade could even read it on their own.

While reading this book, I thought it would be a very cool for each student to make a "quilt" using paper or a foldable. Each "patch" can include something special to them or something about their family. If it were a foldable shaped like a square with four flaps, the could draw a picture on the front and then write a sentence on the inside describing their picture.