Luka's Quilt (Hardcover)

~ Georgia Guback (Author, Illustrator) "Things changed after that..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her second book, Guback's ( The Carolers ) storytelling proves as affable as her bright, intricate cut-paper collages. Tutu ("That's Hawaiian for grandmother") decides to make her granddaughter Luka a special flower-garden quilt. But the traditional two-color Island quilt that Tutu crafts is a far cry from the multicolored quilt Luka has imagined. When Luka complains, "Tutu's eyes got watery, and she quietly turned and went to her room and shut the door." For days afterward, says Luka, "We had nothing to say to each other." At the Lei Day celebration, however, Tutu thinks of a compromise: a rainbow-hued fabric lei to place atop the green-and-white quilt. Together Tutu and Luka sew it, mending their wounds, too. The anticipation, disappointment and hurt ring true, while the resolution is vaguely unsettling: Luka never apologizes, and it is Tutu who must go the extra mile. Nonetheless, like good, real-life relationships, theirs is a work-in-progress, tender and dearly worth the effort. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-When Luka's tutu (grandmother) makes her a traditional Hawaiian quilt, the child is disappointed because it doesn't have the colorful flowers that she envisioned. The two of them quarrel about it, and both are hurt. When Lei Day arrives, however, Tutu suggests a truce so that they can celebrate together. Inspired by her granddaughter's lei-making at the festival, Tutu creates a colorful fabric lei to accent the plain quilt, which restores her relationship with the child. As a story of intergenerational friendship and compromise, Guback's tale is a success. The changes in the relationship between Luka and Tutu are believable and well motivated, and the book provides an opportunity for young listeners to discuss their own emotions. However, the meanings of some terms, e.g., "tatami mat," "lei," and "shave ice" must be deduced through contextual clues, and they aren't always clear. The lush hues of the watercolor illustrations provide a tropical ambiance, while the collage overlays add both depth and a wealth of detail to the folk-art paintings. Overall, a pleasant introduction to modern Hawaiian culture via a warm cross-cultural theme.
Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, Wheeler School, Providence, RI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1st edition (May 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688121543
• ISBN-13: 978-0688121549
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #186,062 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hawaiian "family" tale, March 23, 2000

By A Customer

My daughter read Luka's Quilt again last night. It's everything the "professional" reviewers said. Captures the flavor of life in Hawaii with wonderful illustrations and a very nice story with characters (Tutu, the grandmother and the Luka, her granddaughter) that are believable. We purchased this book in Hawaii, so it has special meaning for us. This story could also lead to a discussion with your child about who is right...the solution Tutu comes up with is good. Highly recommended. Planning a trip to Hawaii? Read this with your child. You'll like it.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luka got a quilt from her tutu., November 2, 1998

By A Customer

Luka got a quilt from her tutu. Her tutu made it by herself. I gave the story five stars becase it is funny.