Lavender (Redfeather Book) [Paperback]

Karen Hesse (Author), Andrew Glass (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1995 | Age Level: 7 and up | Series: Redfeather Book

Codie is secretly sewing a blanket for her favorite aunt Alix's new baby. Will the blanket be "fully done" by the time the baby is "fully done"?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-In this beginning chapter book, Codie is about to become a cousin. Her favorite aunt is two weeks away from giving birth and, though she's been pregnant before, "This is the closest she's come to a baby full done." This overnight visit at Aunt Alix's is different from the numerous others, because in the middle of the night the woman goes into labor. The child's anxiety over the birth and her worries about losing her special place in Alix's life are handled sensitively and realistically. Hesse incorporates a touch of symbolism with the blanket that the girl is sewing for the infant Lavender-a finished blanket will insure a full-term, healthy baby. The simple language allows for easy reading, and the full-page pencil illustrations break up the text nicely. Codie is a caring youngster eager to please, even when experiencing some doubts about the arrival of her first cousin. A fresh, gentle approach to a standard theme.
Rita Soltan, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. At the center of this first chapter book in the fine Redfeather series is a child's joyful relationship with a loving relative. Codie has always spent lots of time in her Aunt Alix's messy, muddled home. Now that her aunt is to have a baby, Codie's feelings are muddled. On the one hand, she can't wait to have a cousin; but at the same time, she worries that her aunt won't have time for her anymore. When the baby comes early, Codie stays up all night finishing the quilt she has secretly been sewing for months. In a satisfying ending, Aunt Alix wraps her baby in the quilt and Codie holds her new cousin for the first time. Codie's secret adds excitement to the usual new baby/displacement story. Her first-person, present-tense narrative is understated; the plain words intensify the meaning of extended family. Illustrations were unseen in galley. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Redfeather Book from Henry Holt (October 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805042571
• ISBN-13: 978-0805042573
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,546,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!, January 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Lavender (Redfeather Book) (Paperback)

THIS INSPIRED STORY IS GREAT FOR CHILDREN OF THE AGES 8 AND YOUNGER. THE STORY OF LAVENDER IS ONE OF A SMALL GIRL WHOSE AUNT (MY REAL-LIFE AUNT) IS PREGNANT (WITH MY REAL-LIFE COUSIN). THE GIRL IS HAPPY FOR HER AUNT BUT IS AFRAID THAT WHEN THE BABY COMES THERE WILL BE NO TIME LEFT FOR HER AND HER AUNT TO BE TOGETHER. THIS STORY IS ONE TO BE SHARED WITH ANY SMALL CHILD WHOSE MOM IS PREGNANT AND SEEMS UNSURE OF WHAT A NEW BABY WILL MEAN FOR THEM. IT IS HEARTWARMIMG AND ALLOWS THE READER TO GO INSIDE THE CHARACTER'S MIND TO HER PRIVATE THOUGHTS.