Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet [Paperback]

Ann Whitford Paul (Author), Jeanette Winter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

"Paul provides information about pioneer life through speculation about the origins of 26 quilt patterns, one for each letter of the alphabet. The variety of colors and designs makes the quilts themselves the real stars of the book [and] will [encourage] students to develop their own creations in cloth or on paper." —SLJ.

Outstanding Books of 1991 (NYT)
Notable 1991 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Books for Vacation Reading (NYT)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-- Paul provides information about pioneer life through speculation about the origins of 26 quilt patterns, one for each letter of the alphabet. At the top of each page is an object or situation that may have provided inspiration for the quilt design of that name. In the center of each page, the text elaborates on the importance of the item in early American life. The bottom illustration features a close-up view of a single section as well as a drawing of the entire quilt. The variety of colors and designs makes the quilts themselves the real stars of the book and will certainly inspire some readers to accept the author's suggestion to search for more patchwork schemes. Not only will the book serve as a resource for studies of pioneer life, but it will also be useful in encouraging students to develop their own creations in cloth or on paper. --Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Attractive and informative." -- Booklist

"Like a quilt that grows old gracefully, this book promises to become well-thumbed over the years." -- The New York Times Book Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064434648
• ISBN-13: 978-0064434645
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #795,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Art > History

More About the Author

Ann Whitford Paul graduated from the University of Wisconsin and Columbia University School of Social Work. She became inspired to write picture books after years of bedtime reading to her four children. She's published 19 different award-winning books. Now she gets story ideas from her three grandchildren. For ten years she taught picture book writing through UCLA Extension. She still enjoys teaching how to write picture books. When she isn't writing or teaching, she loves listening to her cat purr, watching spiders spin their webs and following snails' trails. You can learn more about her, download writing tips and classroom activities, and contact her through her web-site www.annwhitfordpaul.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My third grade students thoroughly enjoyed the book!, August 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet (Library Binding)

As an elementary school teacher, I incorporate the whole language philosophy into my classroom. I spent an entire month linking the curriculum of my school district to Ms. Ann Whitford Paul's literature. My students learned about math, science, social studies and reading using "Quilts" as our theme. We created individual quilt squares to represent each of my 33 students and I lovingly sewed them together. Quality literature is at the core of my teaching. Eight Hands Round demonstrated such quality and brought joy to my classroom.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making Connections, August 25, 2007

By 

KJ (IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet (Paperback)

This is a great book to help children learn historical events as well as make meaningful connections to math and quilting. It would be fun to have them make a quilt of their own. The ABC format adds to the charm of the book