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Brumbeau, J. (2000)l. Illustrated by Gail de Marcken. The Quiltmaker’s Gift
New York: Orchard Books. ISBN 0-439-309107.
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Summary
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A greedy king demands presents and is never happy. He hears about an amazing quiltmaker and wants a quilt. She only gives to poor people and persuades the King to give his presents away.
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Media
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Vibrant watercolors and very detailed illustrations.
Story behind the characters on http://www.quiltmakersgift.com/authorartist/index.htm
Some pages are two page spreads and others small boxes. A quilt pattern begins each text section.
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Curriculum Connection
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There is a prequel now and many teaching activities to support this book on the website.
Use for math, art, writing in grades 5-8.
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Rating
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5Q 4P
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Theme
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To give is to receive.
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Mary Smartt, 8/2/09
Brumbeau, J. (2000). The quiltmaker’s gift. Illustrated by Gail de Marcken. New York:
Scholastic Press. ISBN: 0439309107
4Q/3P
A quiltmaker refuses to give one of her beautiful quilts to the king unless he agrees to give away all of his treasures. Resources about quilting and giving at the end of the book.
Media: watercolors.
Theme: This book addresses the themes of greed and charity. The quiltmaker’s proposal for the king to give up his presents so that he may have a quilt is a simple story, but illustrates how one can have all the possessions in the world, but not be happy and fulfilled. It is not until the king releases his possessions that he becomes liberated spiritually – it is not what you possess outside of you, but what you possess within. Furthermore, the king learned that he found happiness when he was giving rather than receiving. Indeed, one gains far more internally (and externally, as conditions may improve outside of one’s immediate space) by giving rather than hoarding every material thing that one could possess.
TK 4/29/08; 5/2/08
The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken, ill. New York: Orchard Books, 2000. 0-439-30910-7
Annotation: When a generous quiltmaker finally agrees to make a quilt for a greedy king but only under certain conditions, she causes him to undergo a change of heart.
Media: watercolor
Rating: 5th-8th 5Q/5P
Literary Device: Rhythm, Alliteration
Theme: Joy of Giving. Although the king amasses thousands upon thousands of gifts, he is still not happy. The quiltmaker, who gives her magical quilts only to the poor, tells him the way to get one of them is to give all he has away. It is not easy for him, but he wants a quilt so badly that he does it. In the process, he learns that the more he gives away, the happier he becomes. This book addresses the themes of greed and charity. The quiltmaker’s proposal for the king to give up his presents so that he may have a quilt is a simple story, but illustrates how one can have all the possessions in the world, but not be happy and fulfilled. It is not until the king releases his possessions that he becomes liberated spiritually – it is not what you possess outside of you, but what you possess within. Furthermore, the king learned that he found happiness when he was giving rather than receiving. Indeed, one gains far more internally (and externally, as conditions may improve outside of one’s immediate space) by giving rather than hoarding every material thing that one could possess.
Rhythm –
While a strict rhythm, like iambic pentameter, is difficult to detect, The Quiltmakers Gift has two lovely examples of rhythm. In illustration, one can feel the movement of the long line of soldiers marching throughout the land. In text, “Things that shimmered and glittered and glowed” makes you sway along with the words.
lvanburen/6-09
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