Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Lee Edward Fodi (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Martha Ann is twelve years old when Papa finally saves enough money to purchase her freedom from slavery. In 1830, the family leaves east Tennessee to begin a new life in Liberia. On market days, Martha Ann watches the British navy patrolling the Liberian coast to stop slave catchers from kidnapping her family and friends and forcing them back into slavery. Martha Ann decides to thank Queen Victoria in person for sending the navy. But first, she must determine how to make the 3,500-mile voyage to England, find a suitable gift for the Queen, and withstand the ridicule of family and friends who learn of her impossible dream. Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria is the true story of Martha Ann Ricks, an ex-slave who spent fifty years saving spare coins to fulfill her dream of meeting the Queen of England.

About the Author

Kyra E. Hicks is a quilter, just like Martha Ann. Kyra's quilts have appeared in more than thirty exhibits in the United States and abroad. She loves historical research and rediscovering the lives of quilters past. She is the author of Black Threads: An African American Quilting Sourcebook. Kyra lives in Arlington, Virginia, where she tends her colorful, fragrant rose garden. Visit her Web site at www.BlackThreads.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Brown Books Publishing Group (November 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933285591
• ISBN-13: 978-1933285597
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #355,075 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Gift!! History and Inspiration , November 25, 2006

By	Carole Shaw (Columbia, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria is a wonderful book for any young girl or boy. Kyra brought the story of Martha Ann and her family to life and skillfully gives us a history lesson that spans 3 continents. The book neatly illustrates the complex ties between the U.S., England and Liberia in a way that is sure to provoke many discussions for young (and old) readers. The book also deals with the horror of slavery in a sensitive way and demonstrates that slaves were sometimes able to purchase their freedom. Above all, Kyra's story shows the strong, enduring desire for freedom and education that has inspired so many African Americans from slavery through modern times. Many, many lessons can be taught around this short, but powerful, book. The story of a woman who saved pennies over the span of her lifetime to achieve her dream is relevant for so many of us who have lost sight of the power of patience, persistence and faith in one's self. I strongly urge all parents and teachers to grab a copy now and share it with young people. It should open up many great conversations!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Children's Book That Begs To Be Read Aloud, January 12, 2007

By	Norman Goldman "Editor of Bookpleasures.com" (Montreal) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria is a wonderful children's picture book that begs to be read aloud.

It is quite a feat to master the skill of employing just the right words that do not aim too high or too low and this is exactly what Kyra E. Hicks has accomplished as she effectively reaches her intended young audience. Her economical narrative presents the right amount of detail that keeps her readers interested with a style that is cut-to-the-chase concision.

Together with the bold and vibrant imaginative images of illustrator Lee Edward Fodi, Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria, narrates the true story of Martha Ann Ricks who was fortunate in having her father purchase her freedom when she was a slave on the Doherty Plantation in Eastern Tennessee. Martha and her family eventually find their way to Liberia in 1830 with the help of the American Colonization Society.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the American Colonization Society or as they were more fully known as "The Society for the Colonization of Free People of Color of America," this was a group of individuals that in 1817 founded Liberia on the coast of West Africa. Their mission was to transport free blacks to Liberia in an effort to remove them from the United States. In fact, according to WikiPedia, the Society closely controlled the development of Liberia until 1847, when it was declared to be an independent republic. Apparently, by 1867, there were 13,000 settlers that were sent to Liberia and Martha and her family together with these settlers were provided with money and land to build their homes, plant crops, and schooling for the children.

What was quite noteworthy about Liberia at the time and what left a deep impression on Martha was that British Naval ships patrolled its coast to prevent slave catchers from kidnapping black folks and forcing them into slavery. This was the era of Queen Victoria and to Martha the Queen was her true friend as well as to the other black folks that inhabited Liberia. Consequently, Martha was determined to travel one day to England to personally thank the Queen. However, traveling three thousand five hundred miles would require money and for the next fifty years Martha carefully saved her pennies that she had earned by sewing clothes for her neighbors.

Martha also decided that she ought to present the Queen with a beautiful gift and just as she saved her pennies, she likewise devoted a considerable amount of her time in sewing an exquisite quilt. Eventually, Martha, who may have been ridiculed by some, did voyage to England where she met Queen Victoria and presented her with a beautiful quilt that she had worked on over many years.

There is little doubt that Black history as well as the history of other oppressed minorities widely appeals to young readers, as it addresses their zeal for fair-mindedness and their longing for heroism. However, many of the non-fictional books relating to this topic focus on events that have transpired only in the United States. With Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria, we have a unique approach that introduces young readers to an individual and time frame in history that is rarely remembered. Moreover, Hicks has interwoven her own private passion for the craft of quilting and the personal history of an individual connected to this craft in a way that is gripping and rich in detail.

As for illustrator Lee Edward Fodi, his eye-friendly page design is crisp and colorful that transports the reader right into the heart of the story's emotion and momentum.

Although, the book may be addressed to young readers, it can still be enjoyed by adults and it can also serve as a class project to further study the connection between Blacks in the USA and Liberia.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Special Gift, March 20, 2007

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

Kyra Hicks has written a wonderful story based on the real life of Martha Ann Ricks, who was born into slavery in Tennessee. Her father learns about the American Colonization Society, and after working several years to purchase the family's freedom, takes assistance from the group so the family can move to Liberia. Life in Liberia starts out beautifully for the family. Martha Ann is finally able to attend school, and in her spare moments learns to sew from her mother. However, tragedy strikes and Martha Ann and her brother are left to fend for themselves.

Martha Ann eventually marries. She is moved by the work of Queen Victoria and vows to someday thank her in person for all the things the queen had done for blacks. Despite ridicule from family and most of the town, she continues saving her money to pay for the trip to England. Martha Ann also decides to present a gift to the queen, a beautiful, handcrafted quilt she would make herself. Martha Ann is an old woman when she finally has the opportunity to meet the queen, but her dream is finally realized. The quilt, known as the Coffee Tree Quilt was proudly displayed and viewed by thousands of people.

At the heart, MARTHA ANN'S QUILT FOR QUEEN VICTORIA is a story of patience, perseverance, gratitude, and faith. The book highlights the impact of slavery, life in Liberia and the role the British Navy and Queen Victoria played in helping to protect free blacks from slavery. The book can be used to launch readers into countless areas of further study and discussion. The illustrations are especially important in MARTHA ANN'S QUILT FOR QUEEN VICTORIA because they allow readers to slip into the setting of the tale and also help demonstrate the passage of time, from Martha Ann's childhood to her senior years. Kyra Hicks has written a book that is not only significant for its historical value, but for its message about holding on to dreams and working to make them come true.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers