Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt [Hardcover]

Barbara Smucker (Author), Janet Wilson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Selina is a Mennonite girl living in Pennsylvania in the 1860s. She loves her farm delights in the spring flowers and most of all, takes pleasure in watching her grandmother piece together a quilt. Grandmother is following the Bear Paw pattern using stitches and techniques that were brought to America by the early pioneers. By making the of some once-treasured fabrics - scraps from her own wedding dress and those from Selina'a favourite baby clothes - Grandmother is able to recreate the family history in every square of the quilt. Sadly, as the Civil War rages closer and closer, Selina's idyllic world is torn apart. Because she and her family are pacifists, they refuse to take up arms and must flee to Canada. When Grandmother decides she is too old to make the long journey, her treasured Bear Paw quilt - which is reproduced on the end pages of this book - becomes a precious link between countries and generations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?When Selina's Mennonite family decides that they must flee to Canada to avoid persecution as the Civil War is about to break out, her grandmother feels she is too old to make the journey and stays behind in Pennsylvania. She gives Selina the bear-claw patterned quilt top she has been piecing together from scraps of fabric, including snippets from her wedding dress. There are many interesting themes in this book such as the Mennonites' refusal to take sides in a violent conflict and the importance of quilts as a social activity and a strong visual link to family history and relationships. Unfortunately, the story never comes to life. Mennonite beliefs and even a clear indication of which war is about to be fought, while mentioned in the introduction, are not integrated into the main narrative. Smucker fails to make readers feel the pain and drama of the situation. The watercolor illustrations have a sweet romanticized look and often provide closeups of Selina and her grandmother. Despite the book's weaknesses, libraries may still want to consider it. The study of quilts is often used to link social studies, math, and art and a multicultural approach to history should certainly include the Mennonites.?Karen James, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. Based on a true story about a real quilt, this picture book (first published in Canada) tells of a Mennonite child during the Civil War. Because of pacifist beliefs, Selina's family is in danger from both sides and flees from Pennsylvania to safety in Canada. But Grandmother is too old to go along, and Selina is heartbroken to part from her. What keeps them close is Grandmother's gift to Selina: the bear paw quilt that Selina has watched Grandmother stitch together with pieces of cloth that hold memories for every member of the family. The idyllic pictures are bordered by brilliantly colored, minutely detailed, real quilt patterns of astonishing variety; the endpapers show bear paw quilt patterns, and on the back of the book jacket are examples of several more old methods and patterns. An introduction explains the history, but the real focus is on the illustrations, which show and tell the beauty of the quilts. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Fitzhenry and Whiteside; 1 edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773729925
• ISBN-13: 978-0773729926
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,918,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt, June 13, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt (Paperback)

Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt is a wonderful children's book rich with American heritage. It is a tender story about a girl's sadness to leave her Grandmother as their family flees the conflict of Civil War and moves to Canada. Selina finds comfort in her memories found in the fabrics of the quilt her Grandmother sends along with her to Canada.

The illustrations are heart warming and nearly every page has beautifully detailed borders of actual quilts. A thoroughly charming and informative book!

4.0 out of 5 stars Selina and the Bear PAw Quilt, April 6, 2008

By 

Laura J. Mcmahan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt (Paperback)

I recieved this book in a timely manner and it was just as described in the site. The only thing was that was disappointing was the size of the book. I was hoping it ws a little larger which makes it easier to read aloud to my students. Thanks:)

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the art in this book!, January 22, 2011

By 

Maria Conzemius "Maria Houser Conzemius" (Iowa City, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt (Paperback)

Great history of Mennonites in America emigrating to Canada during the Civil War. Not politically correct for girls learning to be independent and strong, but wonderful quilting art and a story of love throughout.