The Patchwork Quilt

Valerie Flournoy- author
Jerry Pinkney- illustrator

M. and I recently read The Patchwork Quilt together. It is about an African-American family who comes to understand the message the grandmother strives to teach to them: that the tradition of making a handmade family quilt is important because it tells the story of a particular family, and travels on to future generations.

Initially, only the young granddaughter was interested in learning the ways of 'old'- how to cut, piece, bind, and quilt, all by hand. A family misfortune soon takes place though, and by the end of the book the entire family learns to love and appreciate the quilt that grandmother began.

Lessons:
Following are some of the lessons that can accompany The Patchwork Quilt:
1) Ask questions and discuss events specific to the book.

2) Ask questions that are specific to your child or family so that a deeper comprehension may be obtained.
Ex. *If you were to make a patchwork quilt and needed special pieces from used clothes, what clothes
of your own would you use? Explain why.
*Do you think that important family stories have been lost because the art of making family quilts has
been lost? What are some family stories that you would like your children to know about?

3) Search the web or borrow a book from the library, and assist your child in constructing a simple 9 piece
block quilt. The fabric may be new, but using old clothing will have more personality, and fit with the
theme of the story.

4) Read up on quilts made by African-Americans during the anti-bellum period. What do the different
symbols mean? Were their quilts special for more reasons than just family history?

Subjects:
Reading, Math, US History, Critical Thinking, Art