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Summary
Summary
Worried that the coming of a new baby and her grandmother's illness will change the life of her family, ten-year-old Ariel combines her artistic talent with her grandmother's knowledge to make a very special quilt.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Alyssa Bresnahan delivers a sensitive reading in this unabridged recording of the book by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock (Cobblehill/Dutton, 1989). One spring in the 1940's brings many changes in the life of ten-year-old Ariel. The prospect of a new baby has her feeling strange and left out. But with Grandma's help, they plan to make a special gifta quilt for the baby. When Grandma suffers a stroke, Ariel begins to understand more about life and death. The family members withdraw into themselves. It takes a memory of how wonderful life is to return Grandma's spirits, and a moment of frustrated anger from Ariel to help restore a sense of normalcy at home. Even though she doesn't enjoy sewing, she finishes the quilt for her new sibling. When the baby is born, Grandma surprises Ariel with a quilt of her own, completed before her stroke. Ariel once again feels a warmth in her family that she thought was lost. Bresnahan portrays Ariel as calm, yet passionate about her changing world. The novel remains timeless and fresh, and would be a fine addition to audiobook collections.-Stephanie Bange, Dayton & Montgomery County Public Library, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Understatement gives this story about a 10-year-old girl's mixed feelings about her mother's pregnancy its unusual sensitivity and power. Ages 8-12. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Fiction: I Ariel's unruffled life in rural Vermont during the 1940s seems about to change when her beloved grandmother has a stroke and her mother announces that a new baby is on the way. After helping to nurse her grandmother back to health, Ariel is rewarded with a handmade quilt and the assurance of the older woman's special affection for her. Soft, wistful pencil drawings appropriately echo the story's quiet tone. Horn Rating: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration. Reviewed by: nv (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Set in Vermont during WW II, a quiet, well-shaped story about Ariel, 10, coming to terms with changes in her aging grandmother. Though Grandma is Ariel's special friend, Ariel doesn't want to help her sew a quilt for the new baby; Ariel hates to sew, but--artistically gifted--she agrees to design a new pattern for it. Then Grandma has a stroke; distressed by her changed face and abilities, Ariel at first avoids her but eventually realizes that she may be able to counter Grandma's depression. She offers her help, and, together, they finish the quilt. The author's first book, this nice portrait of a closely united family is clearly and simply told. More showing and less telling would have added subtlety, especially to the characterizations, but Kinsey-Warnock does get period details well (though ""Yuck!"" belongs to a later decade). Unusually attractive, small format with many soft, full-page drawings; wisely, the beautifully described quilts are not illustrated. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
In this loving, skillfully told story set in 1940 Vermont, a ten-year-old girl and her grandmother work together on a special gift for the new baby.
