Christmas Tapestry [Hardcover]

Patricia Polacco (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

When a bad leak ruins the sacristy wall in his father's church, Jonathan Jefferson Weeks thinks his family's first Christmas Eve service in Detroit will be ruined, too. But then he and his father find a beautiful tapestry for sale in a secondhand shop. Just the thing to cover the damaged wall and give the church a festive look! But then, amazingly, an old Jewish woman who is visiting the church recognizes the beautiful cloth. It is her discovery that leads to a real miracle on Christmas Eve.

This timely tale of love and generosity between people of different religious faiths is a wonderful showcase for Polacco's art. It features snowy holiday scenes and a colorful tapestry that is almost a character in itself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Polacco's (The Keeping Quilt) knack for spinning seemingly disparate characters and plot elements into personal yarns works to great effect in this holiday picture book, based on a "true story" told as a church homily. Jonathan resents his Baptist preacher father's reassignment from Memphis to a dilapidated church in Detroit, and he's dismayed when damage from a blizzard ruins months of planning to restore the building in time for Christmas Eve services. But the elegant-looking, bargain-priced tapestry he and his dad purchase to cover the damage miraculously brings about the reunion of an elderly Jewish couple separated decades earlier during the Holocaust. Though the tale slows in spots, Polacco's signature illustrations of swirling snow, the fine tapestry and numerous love-filled faces invite readers to linger. All ages.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Jonathan has made a good adjustment to life in Michigan after his father takes over as the pastor of a rundown Baptist church. The whole family has worked hard to renovate the building and restore the congregation. The boy becomes distraught, however, when a snowstorm causes a leak and ruins the wall behind the altar just before Christmas. In a series of events that would strain belief in anything other than a holiday story, he and his father find a tapestry to cover the wall and bring about a reunion between two Holocaust survivors who had used the hand-stitched cloth as their wedding canopy. An author's note cites two different Christian ministers as the source of this sentimental story. It is well suited to Polacco's signature theme of ecumenical tolerance and illustrated with her familiar pencil-and-watercolor artwork.-V. W.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Philomel; 1st edition (September 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399239553
• ISBN-13: 978-0399239557
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #155,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born Patricia Ann Barber in Lansing, Michigan, to parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent on one side and Irish on the other, Patricia Polacco grew up in both California and Michigan. Her school year was spent in Oakland, California, and summers in her beloved Michigan. She describes her family members as marvelous storytellers. "My fondest memories are of sitting around a stove or open fire, eating apples and popping corn while listening to the old ones tell glorious stories about their homeland and the past. We are tenacious traditionalists and sentimentalists.... With each retelling our stories gain a little more Umph!"Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Patricia Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects here in the U.S. that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs.The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CHRISTMAS STORY OF FRIENDSHIP AND FAITH, November 27, 2002

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christmas Tapestry (Hardcover)

Adapting her tale from homilies she has heard author/illustrator Patricia Polacco relates a touching story of two families and two faiths brought together by chance - or, was it?

Jonathan Jefferson Weeks is an unhappy boy because his father is appointed to a new church in Detroit,Michigan, and the family has left their home in Memphis. Jonathan has never seen a place like this: the church is all but falling down and the parsonage is right next door. Now, everyone will immediately know that he's a preacher's kid!

His sister, Beth, shares his feelings, but both children try to help make the dilapidated church into a place of beauty. As autumn arrives there is a noticeable improvement. School begins, and they make new friends.

Then, after months of hard work and planning the Weeks family is looking forward to their first Christmas in their new church. They're sure it will be a beautiful and happy holiday.

What they hadn't planned on was Michigan winter weather. The worst snow storm in 25 years hits Detroit causing a leak which ruins the sacristy wall. Discouraged but still determined to make the best of things Jonathan and his father go out to buy Christmas decorations. Looking in the window of an antique shop they see a beautiful piece of cloth, just large enough to cover the stain on the wall.

But, the cloth is so much more than a lovely tapestry as is revealed by an elderly Jewish woman who is befriended by Jonathan and his father.

Patricia Polacco has given us a lovely Christmas story filled with friendship and faith.

- Gail Cooke

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Heartwarming Holiday Story....., November 15, 2002

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas Tapestry (Hardcover)

"There are those who say there is no balance in the universe and that all things happen randomly...without purpose. Take, for instance, one Jonathan Jefferson Weeks. He was most upset that his family came all the way from Memphis, Tennessee, when his father accepted the position of pastor at the New Baptist in Detroit. Even though their new home was on the outskirts...it was still Detroit! Nothing like Tennessee! What possible good reason could there be for leaving home and coming here?" Jonathan and his family work all summer and fall to get the church cleaned up and repaired so that it will be perfect for Christmas. But as they complete their work, ice damages the sacristy wall and plaster falls, leaving a big ugly hole. Jonathan is devastated. He just doesn't understand God's plan. First they have to leave their home and come to Detroit, and now the church is ruined after all their hard work, right before Christmas services. What else could happen? Because of the frigid cold, the car won't start the next morning, and Jonathan and his father have to take the bus into the city to pick up their holiday decorations. As they pass an old shop, Jonathan spies the most beautiful piece of cloth he's ever seen, all gold and red, perfect for covering the ugly hole in the wall. They have very little money left, but the shopkeeper says it's enough to buy the cloth. While waiting at the bus stop to go back home, father and son, with packages and the treasured Christmas tapestry, meet a lonely old woman who shares her hot tea and cookies, and tells them her sad story of love and loss..... Based on an often told homily, master storyteller, Patricia Polacco, has woven a heartwarming tale that celebrates a real, modern day Christmas miracle. Her eloquent, gentle text is filled with joy and magic, and complemented by captivating and evocative illustrations. Together word and art paint an inspiring portrait of love, faith, and the true spirit of the holiday season. Perfect for youngsters of all ages, The Christmas Tapestry makes a wonderful read aloud the entire family can share, this year, and in the many years to come. "Jonathan Jefferson Weeks thought his heart would burst at the pure joy of the season...and the wonder of all the events that had taken place. Now he knew exactly why they moved to Detroit exactly when they did. He knew why the plaster fell, why the car didn't start...why it was so bitter and cold that he and his father had shared tea with a lonely old woman. It was all so seamless, woven so perfectly..."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless message!, December 7, 2003

By 

CDR (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas Tapestry (Hardcover)

My 5-year-old daughter and I just picked this up by chance at the library this week and we were totally unprepared for its incredible message. So many children's books are predictable or just plain rote. This was not! I loved the messages about trusting in God's universal plan and the TRUE meaning of the season. We need to add this one to our own Christmas library!