The Keeping Quilt

Bibliographic Information: Polacco, P. (1998) The Keeping Quilt. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Brief Annotation: This book follows a quilt handed down to many generations in a Russian family. It starts off with the pieces of the quilt as they originated, as family members clothing. When the clothes become a hodgepodge of families clothing the stories of each piece of fabric are told to the new generation receiving the quilt. The quilt goes through many life lessons and many joys for each generation, and is passed down to the next with an honor.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Picture book

Grade Level: 2-5

Readers who will like this: Children who like quilts; Children who have a family air loom that is passed down to each generation; Children who can relate to the life lessons in the book; Jewish children

Response/Rating: 2 This story was very interesting with a very nice way of showing family relationships, and the importance of air looms. It helps in informing children of the importance of culture to each family. I enjoyed the pictures in the book, as they were all sketches with the only color in the quilt and the pieces of clothing that made up the quilt.

One question you would ask a read aloud: Do you have something that is passed down in your family? What are some of your family traditions?