The Log Cabin Quilt (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Ronald Himler (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4?After burying her mother and loading up the wagon, Elvirey and her family leave their Carolina home for the Michigan woods. Granny insists on taking her quilting scraps, though space in the wagon is tight and many precious possessions must be left behind. When they reach their new home, Elvirey doesn't feel she really belongs. It's not until the cold winter hits and she uses Granny's quilt scraps to chink the log cabin walls that the cabin feels like home. How Elvirey faces a new life and copes with her loss are woven together in this sentimental but touching picture book. Elivrey emerges as a heroine of quiet strength. Though she has an air of bewilderment, she keeps trying to make her world right and comfortable again. The hard journey and the sense of loneliness and sadness are well captured in both the text and illustrations. Earth-toned watercolors add just the right touch to this gentle story. The universal themes of moving and loss of a parent transcend time and are well captured. This selection could also be used to introduce pioneer units.?Jane Claes, T. J. Lee Elementary School, Irving, TX
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-8. Soon after Elvirey's mother's death, the family packs up a covered wagon and moves from Carolina to Michigan. Granny sits with her quilting scraps, watching Pap and Bub build a log cabin, while Elvirey and Sis chink the cracks between the logs. The story climaxes in winter, when Elvirey's resourceful use of the quilting scraps helps heal her broken family and make the new house a home. Sensitively written and illustrated, this picture book does more than illustrate pioneer life. Told in a light dialect and from Elvirey's point of view, the story outwardly concerns settling in Michigan, but at its heart is the girl's longing for her mother. The two parts converge in the emotionally satisfying ending. Himler's impressionistic paintings have a rather muted palette, brightened with warm undertones and, of course, the quilting scraps. This expressive picture book brings the past to life. Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823412474
• ISBN-13: 978-0823412471
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #347,045 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving and deep., March 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Log Cabin Quilt (Paperback)

Although its a very short story, Ellen Howard has a way of packing great meaning into each sentance. I read this book very slowly, stopping after each sentance to soak in the full meaning. As I read this moving story about an early pioneer family in The New World, I began to feel as though I was there. Very well written, very good story. And Ronald Himler's excellent illustrations do justice to the depth of Ellen's words. Good Work. I recomend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Log Cabin Quilt, March 22, 2007

By	Liz Vee "crazy about books" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Extremely pleased with this book. A+++++
Excellent condition & shipping.

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent quality, January 10, 2007

By	Louise "CD" (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Log Cabin Quilt (Paperback)

This one is "literature" as opposed to just a book. Great illustrations and a good story about the generations of a family. Would work well for a unit on quilts, immigration, or family history.