Just a Quilt?

Storybook Quilts

Just a Quilt?

by

Dalen Keys

Synopsis: When is a quilt more than a quilt? When it's in the hands of six year old Chase at an age when imagination knows no limits. Chase's quilt seems to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Regardless of whether is serves as a super-hero cape, a dark cave, a racetrack, or a magic carpet, his quilt provides the security of home. Great book for boys.

Discussion Topics: Imagination, adventure

Additional Resources: Author's website Instructions for making Chase's quilt are included in the book.

Made by: Charmaine Fritchey

The Tortilla Quilt

Storybook Quilts

The Tortilla Quilt

by

Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli

Synopsis: In text peppered with Spanish vocabulary, Grandma teaches Maria how to make a quilt like her little friend Sarah's. The young quilter learns that a quilt is even more gratifying when it's given away.

Discussion Topics: Traditions, Hispanic culture, generosity

Additional Resources: Author's Website Teacher's Guide Mexican-American Quilts Coloring Page

Made by: Sharon Wakefield

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt

Storybook Quilts

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt

by

Deborah Hopkinson

Synopsis: Clara, a southern slave separated from her family, devises a way to sew a map of an escape route north.

Discussion Topics: War, slavery, history, freedom, human spirit

Additional Resources: Author's Website African American Quilts Lesson Plan

Made by: Carol Maloney

Stitchin' and Pullin' - a Gees Bend Quilt

Storybook Quilts

Stitchin' and Pullin' - a Gees Bend Quilt

by

Patricia McKissack

Synopsis: While the women of the family quilt, Baby Girl listens, watches, and waits, until she's called to sit at the quilting frame. Piece by piece, she puzzles her quilt together -  telling not just her story, but the story of her family, the story of Gees Bend, and the story of her family's struggle for freedom.

Discussion Topics: Poverty, making do, art, traditions, intergenerational relationships

Additional Resources: Quilts of Gees Bend African American Quilts

Made by: Lynn Jackson

Show Way

Storybook Quilts

Show Way

by

Jacqueline Woodson & Hudson Talbot

Synopsis: Based on the author's own family history, this book tells the story of a quilt, made by a slave, and passed down to subsequent generations of slaves, which shows the way to freedom.

Discussion Topics: Slavery; determination; segregation; literacy. A tribute to women whose strength and knowledge illuminate their daughters' lives.

Additional Resources: Author's Website African American Quilts

Made by: Armedia Stubbs & Kim Hemker

Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt

Storybook Quilts

Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt

by

Barbara Claasen Smucker

Synopsis: A Mennonite family, dreading the impending battles of the Civil War, must leave the elderly grandmother behind as they flee to Canada. Before they leave, Grandmother gives Selina her beloved Bear's Paw Quilt, so Selina may be comforted in Grandmother's absence.

Discussion Topics: War; pacifism; history; intergenerational ties; the concept of the "humility" block

Additional Resources: Coloring Page

Made by: Cindy Megginson

Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt

Storybook Quilts

Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt

by

Lisa Campbell Ernst

Synopsis: When Sam Johnson accidentally discovers how much fun sewing can be, he tries to join the Rosedale Women's Quilting Club. He is summarily rejected, but undeterred, he forms his own, male only, quilting club. Through an unfortunate event, both clubs are forced to work together, and receive more rewards than they could have hoped for.

Discussion Topics: Non-traditional roles; open-mindedness; inclusion; cooperation

Additional Resources: Coloring Pages

Made by: Diane Anderson

Reuben and the Quilt

Storybook Quilts

Reuben and the Quilt

by

Merle Good

Synopsis: An Amish family makes a log cabin quilt to raise much-needed funds for a sick neighbor. When the quilt is stolen, Reuben learns a lesson in acceptance, forgiveness, understanding and generosity.

Discussion Topics: Altruism; loss; redemption

Additional Resources: Amish Quiltmaking Log Cabin Quilt Info & Coloring Pages

Made by: Diane Anderson

The Rag Coat

Storybook Quilts

The Rag Coat

by

Lauren Mills

Synopsis: A heartwarming story of a poor Appalachian girl who can't go to school for want of a coat. Her mother's friends each contribute leftover fabrics from their scrap bags, and make Minna a beautiful coat of many colors. However when she proudly wears her new coat to school, she is unpleasantly surprised by the reception.

Discussion Topics: Poverty; tolerance; kindess; generosity; recycling

Additional Resources: Crazy Quilt Info & Coloring Page

Made by: Susi Looney

The Quilt Story

Storybook Quilts

The Quilt Story

by

Tony Johnston

Synopsis: The story follows a quilt from its creation in pioneer days, through to its restoration in modern times. It also follows two little girls through their shared experiences of moving - one in a covered wagon, one in a moving van.

Discussion Topics: Change; constancy; common experiences transcending time and space

Additional Resources: Lesson Plan

Made by: Carol Maloney

The Quiltmaker's Journey

Storybook Quilts

The Quiltmaker's Journey

by

Jeff Brumbeau

Synopsis: In the sequel to The Quiltmaker's Gift, a young girl of wealth and privilege discovers the harsh outside world, where some people don't have as much as others. When she realizes that she has the power to help them, the young girl finds a strength and peace she's never known before.

Discussion Topics: Looking past one's own situation to help others

Additional Resources: Author's Website

Made by: Kathi Gibson

The Quiltmaker's Gift

Storybook Quilts

The Quiltmaker's Gift

by

Jeff Brumbeau

Synopsis: A richly illustrated book that celebrates the joy of giving and gently emphasizes the age-old truth that material wealth does not necessarily buy happiness. The miserly king is no match for the gentle and generous quiltmaker.

Discussion Topics: Generosity; community; altruism; greed; redemption

Additional Resources: Author's Website

Made by: Susie Brusie 

Quilt of Dreams

Storybook Quilts

The Quilt of Dreams

by

Mindy Dwyer

Synopsis: Katy's grandmother, now deceased, left behind a treasure trove of quilts. When Katy finds an unfinished quilt with her name on it, she enlists the help of her mother to complete it, learning an appreciation for all the experiences of life, and the value of memories.

Discussion Topics: The value of family traditions; identifying with loved ones through a common passion

Additional Resources: Author's Website Coloring Pages

Made by: Lisa Hart

Quilting Now and Then

Quilting Now & Then

by

Karen Bates Willing & Julie Bates Dock

Rather than one quilt, there are twelve little quilts to pass around!

Synopsis: A rhyming history of quilts and quilting in America, and the evolution of the art form.

Discussion Topics: STradition; form & function; community; frontier life; "practical art"

Additional Resources: All About Quilting Bees

Made by: Mandeep Sarraju & Henri Rottman

The Quilted Message

Storybook Quilts

The Quilted Message

by

Ken Munro

Synopsis: The whole village was talking about it. Did the Amish quilt contain more than just twenty mysterious cloth pictures? The pressure was on for Bird-in-Hand's two teenage detectives, Sammy and Brian, to solve the mystery. Was Amos King murdered because of the quilt? Who broke into the country store? It was time for the intruder to be unmasked! A great book to interest boys, in a Hardy Boys-type mystery. There are 19 books in the Sammy & Brian series.

Discussion Topics: Traditions; heritage; symbology; red-herrings; mystery

Additional Resources: Information about the Amish Amish Quiltmaking Author's Bio

Made by: Norma Johnson