The Seasons Sewn: A Year in Patchwork [Hardcover]

Ann Whitford Paul (Author), Michael McCurdy (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Informative text about quilt patterns, including Bear’s Paw, Trail of the Covered Wagon, and Turkey Tracks, and appealing scratchboard illustrations provide a glimpse of pioneer life and celebrate an American art form. “McCurdy’s finely etched illustrations, with their careful attention to detail and old-fashioned flavor, urge upon readers a commanding vision of American history.”--Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

There are few heirlooms more treasured, or useful, than a handmade quilt. At its best, a fine quilt is a visual feast of color and pattern, not to mention an all-around great thing to wrap up in on a cold day. Ann Whitford Paul aims to inspire a new generation of quilting artists with her book The Seasons Sewn, which is one part pattern book and one part storybook. Taking the name of 24 classic quilt patterns as a starting point, she has fashioned stories that explain how the names might have come about. Each story is accompanied by photographs of the pattern and an illustration of Paul's story. The illustrations, by Michael McCurdy, are a triumph.

From Publishers Weekly

Traditional quilt blocks, with their litany of evocative names ("The Trail of the Covered Wagon," "Mariner's Compass" and so on) are Paul's (Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet) device for peering into the past in this handsome volume, and quite an effective device it is. Speculating on the origins of some two dozen designs, she examines both everyday life and historical events-inspired by the pattern "Reel," for instance, Paul describes how women spun flax and wool into thread and yarn, while "Rising Star" sparks a discussion of slaves traveling north to freedom. Grouped by seasons, the historical snippets and small illustrations of quilt patterns are pieced into a stunning visual patchwork crowned by masterful scratchboards. Whether depicting sturdy pioneers crossing the Sierra Nevada, a pastoral farm scene or the candlelit interior of a log cabin, McCurdy's finely etched illustrations, with their careful attention to detail and old-fashioned flavor, urge upon readers a commanding vision of American history. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152769188
• ISBN-13: 978-0152769185
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,000,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Seasons Sewn, June 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Seasons Sewn: A Year in Patchwork (Hardcover)

This is an unusually handsome children's book with exquisite illustrations depicting life in the nineteenth century throughout the four seasons.

The author does a very good job in describing the trials, traditions and events of this time period while explaining the origins of 24 different quilt block patterns. It is a beautiful and informative book.

I would have to disagree with the rating of this book at a reading level of ages 4-8. It would indeed be a precocious 4 year old that would be able to sit and listen to this book much less read it themselves. It does not have a "story book" kind of story line but is full of interesting information and stunning illustrations for 2nd through 4th graders.