Customer Reviews

The Quiltmaker's Journey

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Jeff Brumbeau has another potential award winner with The Quiltmaker's Journey. A great story about how the Quiltmaker came to be, he continues the theme of the original book that giving of oneself and caring for others illuminates our lives with love. Gail de Marken's illustrations are, again, timeless and her familiarity with the art of quilting lends authenticity to the quilt blocks dotting the pages of this wonderfult story. The Quiltmaker's Journey will win the hearts of young and old alike and if you happen to be a quilter, too, that just sweetens the deal.

This is a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully well written story of the transformation that occurred in the girl who became the Quiltmaker. This is a prequel to The Quiltmaker's Gift, another outstanding book.

Themes include poverty, greed, generosity, self sacrifice, simplicity, helpfulness, deception, truthfulness, and suffering.

Our 6 year old loves this story.

The quiltmaker of this story was born into great wealth, living inside a city walled off from the outside and where everyone inside was also rich. She was so wealthy, she ran out of things to spend her money on and so began wondering what was on the outside. The town elders told great tales of danger and woe, so she and the other young people were afraid to venture outward.
However, she reached the point where her curiosity got the best of her and she managed to find a way out of the town. She was shocked to discover that everyone outside her former town was poor and forced to do without. Yet, even with their lack of things, they were all willing to help her when she needed something. This was a lesson she took to heart and eventually here wanderings took her back to her point of origin.
Once back in the town she tried to convince the elders to help the poor but they refused. Furthermore, when she left the town again she was not allowed to take any of her wealth and under no circumstances would she be allowed back in. This did not prove to be a burden as her pure heart caused even the animals to bring her what she needed. Her first act was to make a quilt for a mother and son who were huddled and freezing. Once that was done, her heart was warmed so from that point on she made quilts and gave them away. The joy of those acts made her realize that up until that point her wealth had all been a façade and now she truly understood what it meant to be rich.
This is a story told with such simple passion and elegance that it moves you. Charity is something that you do for yourself, because the act of giving away can give you more joy than the objects themselves could ever have generated in your life.

I have been in the education field for over 20 years. I teach quilting to over 300 students a year in a middle school setting. This is an awesome book to share with all ages. I used it to not only teach the message from the book, but used it to have them look at the mathmatical concepts of the quilt squares. Pictures outstanding, and the story is wonderful.

The Quilt Maker's Journey
Written By Jeff Brumbeau & Illustrated by Gail de Marcken
Published by Orchard Books

A prequel to Jeff Brumbeau's beloved children's book The Quilt Maker's Gift; this is the touching tale of the girl who grew to become the quiltmaker.

A privileged young girl with everything her heart could desire, cannot help but feel empty inside; missing that certain something that brings true happiness to ones soul. Surrounded by literal walls the elders had erected in order to keep the "something terrible" lurking outside away from the town, the girl is determined to discover what lies in the world beyond. Following a secret passageway far below the town hall, the girl leaves the safety of her home and stumbles upon a rundown village teaming with people in rags, dirty children and the homeless.

What the girl discovers is shocking; and yet she finds the people are filled with kindness, compassion and generosity, despite the material possessions they lack. With no food, money or means to support herself, the girl is never lacking, for the people and the good earth provide everything she needs. It is in this simplicity the girl learns the true value of life and dedicates herself to providing for those in need, just as she has been provided for.

Powerful and heartwarming, The Quilt Maker's Journey is incredibly rich in moral values. Exquisitely illustrated by Gail de Marken, I cannot recommend this stunning book highly enough.

Wonderful book - teaches good values and morals but in an entertaining way that holds children's interest. My grandchildren love this book.

This is a lovely book with the most beautiful illustrations I have ever seen. It would make a wonderful and thoughtful gift for the seamstresses and quilters in your life!

The Quiltmaker's Journey is the prequel to the award winning The Quiltmaker's Gift. The story shows how the quiltmaker's gift came to be. A brave young girl leaves her village in search for the true meaning of happiness. Thinking she has nothing to give or offer as help to those she encounters, she eventually finds her gift.

Wonderful story with a great illustrations for children of all ages. A perfect message of what is really important in one's life, not to be caught up with worldly things and to serve others makes one really happy.

Lovely story--luscious illustrations. I wish I could quilt as quickly as you can turn the pages and read the story.