QUILTING STORIES

As we head toward the holiday season, I find myself thinking of family and the anticipation of our holiday gatherings...

I don't happen to have any quilters among my relatives, but I am always drawn to old quilts when I visit a flea market or antique store.  Like patches on an heirloom quilt, families have pieced-together memories of traditions, tears, laughter, struggles, celebrations, and faith.

And quilts are a great way to teach children about family, art, history, and even math!  I hope you'll enjoy sharing some of these books with your children - I've enjoyed discovering them!  Let me know if I've left out any of your favorites...


PICTURE BOOKS:

The Quilt Story by Tony Johnston, illustrations by Tomie dePaola (ages 4-8)

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco (ages 4-8)

Eight Hands Round:  A Patchwork Alphabet by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrations by Jeanette Winter (ages 4-8)

The Log Cabin Quilt by Ellen Howard (ages 6 and up)

The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy, illustrations by Jerry Pinkney (ages 4-8)

HISTORICAL FICTION:
The Canada Geese Quilt by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, illustrations by Leslie W. Bowman (ages 9-12)

Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria by Kyra E. Hicks, illustrations by Lee Edward Fodi (ages 9-12)

NON FICTION:
Quilting Now & Then by Julie B. Dock, Karen B. Willing; illustrations by Sarah Morse

Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days(with Projects Kids Can Make), by Mary Cobb (grades 2 and up)

POETRY:
Baby Days:  A Quilt of Rhymes and Pictures, by Belina Downes (ages 4-8)

Pieces:  A Year in Poems and Quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines (ages 4-8)

AND TWO MORE..
from my friend Jane Meyer's blog (fun post!)
The Quilt Maker's Journey and The Quilt Maker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau

If you want to delve deeper into quilting, I found a great website on quilting history and with patterns for children's quilts.