The Quiltmaker's Gift [Hardcover]

Jeff Brumbeau (Author), Gail de Marcken (Illustrator), Gail De Marcken (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 630L (What's this?)

A quiltmaker helps a selfish king learn that giving is the true secret to happiness. The heartwarming, strongly moral tale supports important values, and the detailed illustrations, featuring dozens of lovingly rendered quilt patterns offer hours of delight.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As intricately worked as a patchwork quilt, de Marcken's (Born to Pull) fanciful watercolors are the highlight of this somewhat pedestrian fable. Rich but dissatisfied, a king demands a quilt from a gifted quiltmaker, but she refuses unless he gives away all his material possessions. The irate monarch twice attempts to punish her but both times she foils him. Finally he agrees to her demand, growing progressively happier with each thing that he gives away. Brumbeau's overlong tale treads a well-worn trail here, hampered by bursts of overwrought prose ("the king's great sunny laugh made green apples fall and flowers turn his way"). The artwork achieves a dizzying, quilted look with lush full-page illustrations in cotton-candy colors sharing a spread with saucy vignettes; "the king could not sleep" for instance, inspires a droll four-panel peek at the restless fellow tossing and turning in bed. De Marcken pays homage at every turn to the quiltmaker's craft. Each section of text appears on a plain cream "block" with stitching around the edges, and the endpapers sport an array of labeled quilt patterns. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-A charitable seamstress makes beautiful quilts that she gives to the needy and poor. When a greedy king hears of the marvelous creations, he demands that she sell him one. She refuses, but says that she will give him one if he gives away all of his possessions. The angry monarch tries to force her to bend to his will. Unsuccessful, he begins to travel the world giving away his amassed treasures. When he returns to the village, a happier man in ragged clothing, she presents him with a beautiful quilt. The sweet story will warm the hearts of readers, but it is the illustrations that bring the book to life. The realistic watercolors are a patchwork of rich, vibrant color. They resonate with fabric patterns, though the overall effect is slightly busy. Each spread includes a corresponding pattern (the Bear's Paw block reflects the quilter's encounter with a bear). One spread has many quilt-block names hidden in the pictures; unfortunately, the search game detailed on the verso of the dust jacket will be lost to libraries that cover it in plastic. A useful book for teaching values or for quilt units.
Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Aloha, OR
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 3rd edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439309107
• ISBN-13: 978-0439309103
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author Jeff Brumbeau lives in Chicago and Taos with his wife, Marcia, and their cats, Lou the Alley Cat and Sam the Persian. His first children's book, The Man-in-the-Moon in Love, whimsically explores the power of friendship and the value of creative problem solving.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a valuable treasure January 26, 2000

By colleen lafata

Format:Hardcover

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.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just for Children - A Gift for the Giver in Your Life June 28, 2000

By Quaker Annie

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tale of Generosity January 9, 2000

By [e-mail]

Format:Hardcover

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!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Graphics Extraordinaire November 13, 1999

By Mary Ellen Cordes

Format:Hardcover

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

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a beautiful book, both emotionally and visually! December 11, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

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!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book with beautiful illustrations and a lesson September 30, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great story & even better gift November 2, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

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.