The Patchwork Quilt - A Story of Love and Family

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Flournoy, Valerie. 1985. The Patchwork Quilt. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-8037-0097-0

PLOT SUMMARY

Tanya and her grandmother decide to make a quilt together that will tell the story of their family.  They use scraps of material from old, worn out clothes and leftover pieces from clothes that have just been made.  They begin working on the quilt in the spring, but Grandma warns Tanya that it could take up to a year before the quilt is finished.  As the months pass, the two work diligently on this beautiful quilt.  Tanya's mother even helps with the sewing.  But after Christmas, Grandma becomes ill and is unable to get out of bed, much less work on their precious quilt.  January comes and goes, and still Grandma is bedridden.  Will the special quilt ever be completed?  And will Grandma's health ever improve?   

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 The Patchwork Quilt examines the bonds of a family and what is truly important.  Her depiction of Tanya's multigenerational family is culturally authentic, in that many African Americans have extended family members living in their households.  Tanya and her brothers feel the same sense of belonging with Grandma that they do with their parents.  Tanya's determination to finish the quilt for her grandmother shows just how strong their relationship is.  However, any child who has an important bond with a grandparent will be able to relate to this story.  The themes of love, family, and togetherness are applicable to children from any culture.   

Although it is an inanimate object, the quilt plays an important role in this story.  Initially, only Grandma and Tanya see the value in making their own quilt rather than purchasing a new one at a store.  As the story progresses, however, and pieces of material from each family member become a part of the quilt, its worth greatly increases.  The quilt may remind readers of an object of great significance that they own.

Jerry Pinkney's warm full page illustrations complement the text beautifully.  He took care to create each family member as an individual, from the nuances of their skin tone, to their own personal hair and clothing styles.  It would be obvious to anyone who looked at these pictures, even if they never read the words, that this is a portrait of a family that loves each other.

When I read this book to my children, my daughter was quick to point out that Tanya's quilt is just like our yellow patchwork quilt.  Our quilt was actually mine when I was young, and it is now a favorite blanket for our family to use when we are watching movies or reading together.  It has a long history with my family, just as Tanya's quilt tells the story of her family.

Flournoy and Pinkney have created a truly memorable book that is still enjoyed by children and families 30 years after its original publishing.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

1986 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators

1986 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award

From SCHOLASTIC - "This gentle picture book presents a contemporary family whose continuation of a time-honored tradition becomes a meaningful expression of love. Acclaimed artist Jerry Pinkney, whose Caldecott Honor Books include his adaptation of The Ugly Duckling, brings the emotion and heart of the story to life in soft, realistic watercolors."

From SCHOOL LIBARY JOURNAL - "This story will leave children moved and satisfied."

From BOOKLIST - "Pinkney interprets the story with warm family scenes that glow."

CONNECTIONS

For students who enjoyed reading about Tanya and her family, share the 1995 sequel with them.

• Flournoy, Valerie. Tanya's Reunion. ISBN 978-0803716049

Share some other books by Valerie Flournoy with your students.

• Flournoy, Valerie. Celie and the Harvest Fiddler. ISBN  978-0688114572
• Flournoy, Valerie. The Best Time of Day. ISBN 978-0394837864

Jerry Pinkney has written and/or illustrated numerous picture books, including traditional stories, fables, and biographies.  Here are a few of those titles that your students may be interested in.

• Schroeder, Alan. Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman. ISBN 978-0140561968
• Lester, Julius. Black Cowboy, Wild Horses. ISBN 978-0803717879
• Pinkney, Jerry. The Lion and the Mouse. ISBN 978-0316013567

Have your class create their own "patchwork quilt."  Give each student a square piece of oaktag paper and have them draw something special about themselves on it.  Then, display all of the squares together as a patchwork quilt that tells the story of your class.

Invite a quilter in to your classroom.  Have him/her demonstrate the stages in the process of making a quilt.  This will give your students a concrete example of what Tanya and her grandmother were doing.