As promised, here is the prequel to last week's book, The Quiltmaker's Gift!
The Quiltmaker's Journey
Story by Jeff Brumbeau
Pictures by Gail de Marcken
The quiltmaker who lived on the side of a mountain, toiling away on the loveliest quilts in all the land, was not always so generous, neither would she have been considered poor.
As a young woman, she gave no thought to the needs around her. In fact, she lived in a town where poverty was unknown, surrounded by a great stone wall. The Elders had warned the townfolk of the terrors that lay beyond the wall, and so she never thought to leave her home, instead living on her fantastic fortune.
She had all she needed, yet she was unhappy, much like the King from the first book!
She felt that something important was to be done with her life, and so, with encouragement from her seamstress friend, she bravely sought out the secret passageway which led to the outside world, even though she knew she could never return.
What she finds when she leaves the tunnel is more terrible than the imagined dragons, giants, and monsters the Elders had warned of. She finds poverty instead.
As she makes her way across the land, she gives of herself, and finds it to fill the part of her that was always unhappy.
Again, the beautiful, enchanting drawings are a perfect compliment to the story. You and your children will love the animals that surround the quiltmaker in every picture, and the way a flock of birds gather above the tree where she works, spreading their wings like an umbrella to protect her from the rain!
And if you wish to dive deeper, discuss happiness with your children. Talk about what makes them happy, and why. And then you might introduce the topic of Jesus, and how He did what He did not to make Himself happy, but out of great love.
When we discussed this afterwards, we agreed that the quiltmaker was happy, yes, but perhaps a better word would be content.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13
For other Children's Book Monday reviews, click on the graphic in the sidebar.
Happy (or content!) Reading!
The Quiltmaker's Journey Story by Jeff Brumbeau
Pictures by Gail de Marcken
The quiltmaker who lived on the side of a mountain, toiling away on the loveliest quilts in all the land, was not always so generous, neither would she have been considered poor.
As a young woman, she gave no thought to the needs around her. In fact, she lived in a town where poverty was unknown, surrounded by a great stone wall. The Elders had warned the townfolk of the terrors that lay beyond the wall, and so she never thought to leave her home, instead living on her fantastic fortune.
She had all she needed, yet she was unhappy, much like the King from the first book!
She felt that something important was to be done with her life, and so, with encouragement from her seamstress friend, she bravely sought out the secret passageway which led to the outside world, even though she knew she could never return.
What she finds when she leaves the tunnel is more terrible than the imagined dragons, giants, and monsters the Elders had warned of. She finds poverty instead.
As she makes her way across the land, she gives of herself, and finds it to fill the part of her that was always unhappy.
Again, the beautiful, enchanting drawings are a perfect compliment to the story. You and your children will love the animals that surround the quiltmaker in every picture, and the way a flock of birds gather above the tree where she works, spreading their wings like an umbrella to protect her from the rain!
And if you wish to dive deeper, discuss happiness with your children. Talk about what makes them happy, and why. And then you might introduce the topic of Jesus, and how He did what He did not to make Himself happy, but out of great love.
When we discussed this afterwards, we agreed that the quiltmaker was happy, yes, but perhaps a better word would be content.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13
For other Children's Book Monday reviews, click on the graphic in the sidebar.
Happy (or content!) Reading!
3 fellow travelers shared:
Hi Elise-Great review! Have you seen the Read to Me challenge at http://jennifersnapshot.blogspot.com ? I'm going to set some reading goals and I'll be sure to use some of your book reviews for making my selections.
Jennifer
Looks wonderful! I love stories that teach while not being pedantic.
I'm going to post a Children's Book Monday today. Can I use the graphic? And by there way, where did you get that done, did you make it?
Hope your day has been wonderful so far!
Sounds like a great book.
Thanks Elise!
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