Synopses & Reviews
The story of one family’s journey north during the Great Migration starts with a little girl in South Carolina who finds a rope under a tree one summer. She has no idea the rope will become part of her family’s history. But for three generations, that rope is passed down, used for everything from jump rope games to tying suitcases onto a car for the big move north to New York City, and even for a family reunion where that first little girl is now a grandmother.
Newbery Honor–winning author Jacqueline Woodson and Coretta Scott King Award–winning illustrator James Ransome use the rope to frame a thoughtful and moving story as readers follow the little girl’s journey. During the time of the Great Migration, millions of African American families relocated from the South, seeking better opportunities. With grace and poignancy, Woodson’s lilting storytelling and Ransome’s masterful oil paintings of country and city life tell a rich story of a family adapting to change as they hold on to the past and embrace the future.
Review
School Library Journal Richly detailed charcoal drawings fill the pages of this beautifully conceived book...children will be fascinated by the various uses to which the quilt is put...Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter One of the most attractive and well-conceived picture books seen in recent years...It has a surprisingly emotional impact.Booklist Useful for the sense of history it presents to young viewers (especially in discussions of geneaology), this tale also carries a warm message on the meaning of family...
Review
“Woodsons (Each Kindness) gentle, unpretentious writing and Ransomes eloquent artwork breathe life into this story of a close-knit African-American family and their pursuit of a better life. . . . The chronicle of a homely object in an age of disposables and the sense of place Woodson and Ransome evoke make this an especially strong and vibrant fictive memoir.”
Review
“Expressive oil paintings illustrate the clean, well-cadenced text in scenes that include well-researched period details. . . . Theres no doubt of the warmth and strength of the family ties that bind these individuals together.”
Review
“The rope becomes a symbol of family tradition and continuity against a backdrop of historical and social change. Woodsons understated but eloquent text gives specific details of one familys experience, while Ransomes rich oil paintings provide historical context.”
Review
“A warm family saga of a household united by love, pride and an uncommon heirloom. The repetition of the title in a nursery-rhyme style will resonate with young listeners. Ransomes vivid, full-bleed, double-page-spread oil paintings create an upbeat, welcoming vista of rural South Carolina and urban Brooklyn. . . . A quiet affirmation of a strong and close-knit family that, along with so many other African-Americans, found a better life as part of the Great Migration.”
Synopsis
"We will make a quilt to help us always remember home," Anna's mother said. "It will be like heaving the family in backhome Russia dance around us at night. andlt;BRandgt;And so it was. From a basket of old clothes, Anna's babushka, Uncle Vladimir's shirt, Aunt Havalah's nightdress and an apron of Aunt Natasha's become andlt;Iandgt;The Keeping Quilt,andlt;/Iandgt; passed along from mother to daughter for almost a century. For four generations the quilt is a Sabbath tablecloth, a wedding canopy, and a blanket that welcomes babies warmly into the world. andlt;BRandgt;In strongly moving pictures that are as heartwarming as they are real, patricia Polacco tells the story of her own family, and the quilt that remains a symbol of their enduring love and faith.
Synopsis
"We will make a quilt to help us always remember home," Anna's mother said. "It will be like heaving the family in backhome Russia dance around us at night.
And so it was. From a basket of old clothes, Anna's babushka, Uncle Vladimir's shirt, Aunt Havalah's nightdress and an apron of Aunt Natasha's become The Keeping Quilt, passed along from mother to daughter for almost a century. For four generations the quilt is a Sabbath tablecloth, a wedding canopy, and a blanket that welcomes babies warmly into the world.
In strongly moving pictures that are as heartwarming as they are real, patricia Polacco tells the story of her own family, and the quilt that remains a symbol of their enduring love and faith.
About the Author
Patricia Polacco belongs to a family of storytellers, poets, farmers, teachers, and artists. They came from many parts of the world, but mainly Russia. She grew up to be an illustrator, a designer, and creator of many beloved childrenandrsquo;s books, including andlt;iandgt;The Keeping Quiltandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Blessing Cupandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Fionaandrsquo;s Laceandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Trees of the Dancing Goatsandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Babushkaandrsquo;s Dollandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;My Rotten Redheaded Older Brotherandlt;/iandgt;. She lives in Union City, Michigan. Visit her at PatriciaPolacco.com and follow her on Facebook.Patricia Polacco belongs to a family of storytellers, poets, farmers, teachers, and artists. They came from many parts of the world, but mainly Russia. She grew up to be an illustrator, a designer, and creator of many beloved childrenandrsquo;s books, including andlt;iandgt;The Keeping Quiltandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Blessing Cupandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Fionaandrsquo;s Laceandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Trees of the Dancing Goatsandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Babushkaandrsquo;s Dollandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;My Rotten Redheaded Older Brotherandlt;/iandgt;. She lives in Union City, Michigan. Visit her at PatriciaPolacco.com and follow her on Facebook.