The Story Blanket [Import] [Hardcover]

Ferida Wolff (Author), Harriet May Savitz (Author), Elena Odriozola (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 0 and up

Babba Zarrah has a beautiful woolen sitting blanket, which the children sit on to listen to her stories. Babba Zarrah always says that “every question has an answer,” and when she realizes that the villagers need new clothes, Babba Zarrah begins to unravel her blanket to make them. She makes so many surprises that soon there is no more blanket to sit on. When the villagers discover Babba Zarrah’s secret, they decide to give Babba Zarrah a surprise in return.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Babba Zarrah, a caring and talented senior, lives in a tiny mountain village—perhaps in Russia. She has a large, colorful, knitted blanket upon which the children love to sit as they listen to her stories. Noticing that there are some in the snow-covered village who have needs that she can satisfy, she unravels a bit of wool from the blanket and knits, then secretly delivers warm socks for young Nikolai, who has a hole in his shoe; an extra-long scarf for the postman; and cozy mittens for the schoolmaster to wear when he fetches wood. Each new project leads to thoughts of another, until the story blanket has completely disappeared. Then, it is up to the curious villagers to discover who is creating the gifts and find a way to thank their elderly neighbor for her kindness. Odriozola's charming illustrations make this sweet tale of a close-knit community even more special. The bright colors and delicate patterns in the children's and Babba Zarrah's clothing and the story blanket stand out against stark white backgrounds. A fine brown line surrounds garments and objects, giving some pieces a paper-collage appearance. In contrast, the rounded, rosy-cheeked faces are drawn with the same thin lines and minimal features—tiny dots for eyes, small squiggles for noses, wee marks for mouths. From the spare wood floor and the children clustered in anticipation on the blanket under a potted indoor tree comes a warm invitation to enjoy this sweet story again and again.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

"...charming illustrations make this sweet tale of a close-knit community even more special...enjoy this sweet story again and again." --School Library Journal
"...sweetly vivid..." --Booklist
"...a low-key discussion starter." --Kirkus
"The Story Blanket ranks among those exceptional picture books in which the story, illustrations, page layout, and design all come together to offer a phenomenal reading experience...a special volume to share with every picture-book lover you know." --Bloomsbury Review
"Storytellers and readers aloud will appreciate the text's graceful yet restrained language and children will enjoy the plot's cozy circularity..." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"A story to spread warmth and cheer on the coldest nights." --Smithsonian Magazine Online
"Absolutely beautiful..." --Virginian Pilot
"Rosy-cheeked children and the bright folk art quilt suggest a timelessness to the story as well as the underlying message." --Library Media Connection
"Beautifully rendered in every way..." --Orlando Press-Register

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 0 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Andersen Press (November 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842706942
• ISBN-13: 978-1842706947
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 0.4 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,579,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvelous Story, March 4, 2010

By 

Linda Ford (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Story Blanket (Hardcover)

Great for reading or telling. Ages 5-7 are ideal audience, but the book is truly apporpriate for older children and adults, as well.

This is a heartwarming story, a tale of love and gemerosity. Evocative images, captivating illustrations and concise but lovely text will generate wide appeal. An old woman in a small village gathers the neighbor children on the story blanket in her humble garden for an afternnon of tales. Stories and knitting, stories and knitting...they are her life.

When she sees a child with a hole in the toes of his sock, the woman uses just a little corner of the story blanket to secretly knit a new pair of socks for the boy. So begins a journey of loving sacrifices that spread througout the village.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lesson in the Beauty of Sharing, July 11, 2011

By 

Judith Harch (Mullica Hill, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Story Blanket (Hardcover)

The Story Blanket is a delightful book for children of all ages. We are never too old to learn the beauty of sharing and how that gift comes back to us many fold.

The story reminds us to respect the wisdom of our elders and that each member of a community is of equal value. These lessons are woven throughout a touching tale that children will be eager to read or hear again and again.

With the book's charming illustrations and timeless folk tale quality, The Story Blanket should be a perennial favorite in parents' and grandparents' libraries.

4.0 out of 5 stars Teaching kids values - non-thesist, June 20, 2011

By 

Lj Livingston "Sensible Mamma" (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Story Blanket (Hardcover)

This is a great book for everyone. This should be a staple during any holiday period in which the focus has been taken off doing good things and more about the importance of THINGS. I'm making this a regular read around birthdays and holidays. Everyone will enjoy a copy of this book. This book size is great for kids, but I bet it comes in smaller paperback as well. Enjoy.