The Patchwork Quilt/Jerry Pinkney

The Patchwork Quilt

Written by: Valerie Flourney

Illustrated by: Jerry Pinkney

1986 Corretta Scott King Award

In this book, Tanya's grandmother had begun to make a patchwork quilt using scraps from old shirts, Halloween costumes, and any other materials that had meaning to them. Tanya was so interested in how her grandmother so carefully cut pieces of material and sewed them together so she spent much of her time watching and helping her grandmother produce this "masterpiece." On Christmas morning, Grandma becomes sick and is no longer able to work on finishing the quilt. With the help of her mother, Tanya takes it upon herself to help finish the quilt for her grandmother. Finally, when Grandma is able to begin working on the quilt again, she finishes it by stitching on the last square, which reads, "For Tanya From your Mama and Grandma".

I really enjoyed reading this book. This is a wonderful story about Tanya, her grandmother, and their family. A patchwork quilt brings the family together while the children develop a new appreciation for Grandmother’s quilts making skills.The story reminded me that every family is different. Every family has diversities in shape, size, colors, and a uniqueness of love.

Other books illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:

The Song of the Trees. New York: Dial, 1975.
The Tales of Uncle Remus. New York: Dial, 1987.
Back Home. New York: Dial, 1992.

John Henry. New York: Dial, 1994.
Sam and the Tigers. New York: Dial, 1996.
Black Cowboy, Wild Horses. New York: Dial, 1998.
The Little Match Girl. Adapted by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Dial, 1999.
The Nightingale. Adapted by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Dial, 2002.
Little Red Hen. New York: Dial, 2006.
The Old African. New Tork: Dial, 2005.