Customer Reviews

The Quiltmaker's Gift

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though my children are grown, I still enjoy brousing the children's book section of the local bookstore. I was drawn to remove The Quiltmakers Gift from it's resting place on the shelf because of the beautifully rendered, inviting illustrations on it's cover. And what a pleasant surprise when I opened the book to find a wealth of the same along with a most touching and tenderly written story about a king living in unhappy greed amongst the finest of splendor. Yet this same greed allows his path to cross with that of a loving, giving soul who has the gift to help the king learn how to find his own happiness. It is apparent that both author and illustrator have a deep understanding of the gift of giving, and have given us a wonderful story to share with our loved ones. I found myself sitting in the bookstore wiping away the tears from my eyes and I knew this book was a must even though I may save it for years before having grandchildren to read it to.

I'm not surprised to find this book listed as a Children's Book - who else is supposed to enjoy beautiful illustrated fables?

The answer, of course, is the grown-up who reads it aloud. The detailed illustrations in this book will fascinate the fortunate child who hears the tale. The fortunate adult reader and the child will enjoy following this story about an unhappy king, laden with "things" he thought would make him happy.

A classic consumer, he "gets" more and more - his closets and rooms are burdened with beautiful treasures that bring him little joy. He thinks the only thing he doesn't have - one of the quiltmaker's quilts - will bring him that elusive happiness. But she only gives to the poor - despite his threats and angry attempts to show her who has the power - she will not give him a quilt.

She tells him how he can get that quilt - the answer of course is simple, once he figures it out.

A wonderful gift for that person you know who always gives (s/he might like reading it to children or grandchildren) or the quilt-lover on your list. The colorful quilt patterns shown and named inside the front and back covers, and inside the dustjacket(! ) are fantastic.

Like "Old Turtle," this is a beautifully illustrated book with rich layers to be enjoyed by children and adults, year after year.

I have two boys, five and eight, and I have read to them nightly since they were born. My mother, a children's librarian, has instilled the love of books in myself and my children. This year for Christmas she gave us The Quiltmaker's Gift. It immediately became one of our favorites. The illustrations are outstanding and the text creates visual pictures of it's own. The tale of the joy of giving instead of receiving is an excellent teaching tool for parents. My eight year old cried when the Quiltmaker covered the poor, cold, homeless with breathtakingly beautiful quilts. This book also is a tribute to those talented individuals who make quilts and give them to others. Both of my boys received quilts when they were born and I have one made by my grandmother and grandfather, both whom have passed on. These quilts are treasures as is this book. Buy it!

As a quiltmaker, I found the colorful artistry in this book truly inspiring. My sons, 11 and 13, found the story to be enchanting, as did I. The hearts of most quilters urge them to give their quilts away to friends, family, etc. This book makes the quiltmaker in me want to piece a quilt for every cold (either emotionally or physically) man, woman and child in the world. No one quiltmaker can do it all, but if we each warm but a few souls, the world will slumber in peace. Mary Ellen Cordes

Quiltmaker Wisconsin

I bought this book for my mother, a quilter, because of the simply gorgeous artwork. After I read it, however, and had a chance to examine the artwork in even closer detail, I bought another copy for myself! The story is beautiful and heartwarming; it brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. The bright artwork contains a story within the textual story, inspiring you to find the names of the quilt patterns shown. The dust jacket contains a wonderful seek-and-find puzzle with further quilt blocks. This is a book that will be enjoyed by people of any age. I can't say enough good things about it!

This book is one I would recommend to all who have children in their lives. I am a teacher and read it to my students in grades 3,4,and 5. They all liked the story and were spell-bound by the illustrations. Many these days are interested in character education, and this book does a lovely job of making an important point about giving.

my children love this book. the story is about a king that collects beautiful things and demands a blanket from a mountain woman who makes amazing quilts but she refuses...she only gives her handmade quilts for those in need. the king is not considered a needy person. he demands a quilt and even though he tries to do mean things to her like leave her in a bear's cave to get his way, but she always comes out with a new friend because she has helped those she was left with. she finally tells him to give away all his things to get a quilt. for every item he gives away she'll sew another square. it has a great moral about helping those in need. the ending is great! the book has inspired my children to help make baby blankets for newborns in need as a christmas service project. we plan on sending the books to all our relatives on our christmas list while donating blankets in their honor. if you're looking for the perfect book for someone with a caring heart....this is it! also perfect for the quiltmaker in your life.

This is such a heartwarming story and visual treasure that it should win some awards. I collect children's books and their artwork and this is one of the best I've seen in recent years. The addition of the website with further activities for children is really unique.

This almost never happens - 30 Reviews - All 5 Stars. This book has earned very strong reviews. Beautifully and perfectly written with excellent illustrations this book tells a simple tale attacking materialism and promoting charity. Children ages 2 through 9 love this book, its story and its gorgeous illustrations. It makes a most wonderful gift for the children in your life. This is one book to leave on the coffee table as children of all ages will pick it up.

I have never read any of the quilt makers books and was a bit leary at the number of pages and the number of words on each page. I wondered if this story could possibly hold a child's interest long enough to complete the reading to or reading of. After reading the second page, I was hooked.

What a great fairy tale. There is a greedy king. There is also a giving caring old spinster. She makes quilts for the needy and poor. The king requires that everyone in town bring him gifts twice a year, for he decides to celebrate his birthday twice a year. The king finds out that he hasn't gotten a quilt from this woman and once he approaches her and demands a quilt, she says no. He tries to break her spirit by abandoning her on an island and handcuffing her to a bears den. Her love and care get her through the tough times and she expresses these things through her quilting. The old lady gives the king her terms of making him a quilt and he refuses. I don't want to ruin the ending to this story because it is told beautifully by Jeff Brumbeau. Gail De Marcken is the illustrator and what a terrific job she does in this book. Each page turns from real life to a piece sewn on the quilt. The transformation is amazing.

Excellent book, intriguing story and amazing pictures. I don't think this is a good book for the very young but maybe a child around the ages of 5 or 6 could appreciate it.

Favorite line in this book: '...trading his treasures for smiles around the world.'