From Publishers Weekly
An elderly woman stitches the fabric of her life--past and present--into a quilt in Warner's (The Magic Sewing Machine) reflective, sophisticated story. As the moon waxes and wanes, the woman (whose eyes are closed only when her beloved cat's eyes are open, and vice versa) dreams "of her old man, who was lost at sea." She envisions him on his fishing boat, sailing through the sky on a rainbow, growing younger as he approaches the moon. After "sewing her dream into the design" of her quilt, the woman plants pumpkin seeds in anticipation of Halloween; a visit from trick-or-treaters, her own portrait and her pet's make it into her quilt as well. Elements of each spread further the quilting metaphor: fabric prints define the hills, shrubs and sidewalks around the woman's house, and perceptive children will revel in identifying objects and patterns seen on previous pages in the cleverly composed quilt (lilies from her garden, swatches of her kitchen curtains). In November, "glad to rest," the woman and feline sit outdoors beneath the moon and for the first time both of them close their eyes. A final turn of the page reveals that they have joined the woman's husband: a young couple on the deck of a fishing boat rides a rainbow. Youngsters may need some guidance through this symbolic tale, but will likely find the journey rewarding, and quilters of all ages will certainly cotton to it. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-Warner's mixed-media illustrations are the most compelling feature of this story about an old woman who integrates her memories, dreams, and current life into the quilt she is making. Collage, colored pencil, and paint combine to lend color and texture to the text. The story itself may prove elusive to the intended audience. The unnamed protagonist dreams, "of her old man, who was lost at sea," and stitches the dream into her quilt. She plants pumpkins and flowers and they become part of her design. Children come for pumpkin pie at Halloween and they are included in her work. After she stitches in pieces representing herself and her cat, the quilt is done. She and her cat sleep and dream of returning to youth and sailing off into the moonlight. Young listeners may not recognize the quilt as a metaphor for a life completed and, if they do not, there may not be enough here to hold their interest.-Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
