Children's Book Monday

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco

The history of a family is bound up in this beautiful story of the beautiful quilt. The story begins with the Russian imigrant Anna who has a red babushka. As Anna outgrows the babushka, it is made into a quilt that will be handed down through many generations. The quilt is used for welcoming babies, sleeping with, getting married under, a tablecloth. It is an heirloom that tells the story of Polacco's family.

This is a true story and is simple but rich. There is also a movie (we were lucky to borrow from the library) that we watched and it is narrated by the author. At the end she shows the beautiful quilt and shares a couple of family members. It is simply and nicely done. I found out there is also an audio-cassette, which we have not checked out.

I wasn't sure how two boys would respond to such a quiet, gently told story, but my guys asked for us to read it again!! A winner.

Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman

A folk tale retold, not a true story, but told with such joy that it is an enchanting read. Young Joseph has a blanket made by his grandfather a tailor. As Joseph grows and the blanket becomes worn it is remade into smaller and smaller items, until all that is left is the story. A Yiddish tale illustrated in image and words, Gilman draws the reader closer, impatiently wanting to see what Grandfather will create next.

There is also a lovely short movie that follows the book. Again we checked it out from the library to watch after we had read the book. Wonderful.

Children's Book Monday is hosted by Elise at A Path Made Straight.