The patchwork quilt

Ages 5-8. A comforting sense of strong family bonds is at the heart of this story about a young black girl named Tanya and her grandmother, who makes Tanya a quilt.

Sometimes the old ways are forgotten,"" says Grandmother as she begins to make a patchwork quilt. Later, incorporating pieces of the children's old clothing, she tells them, ""A quilt won't forget. It can tell your life story."" Grandmother calls the quilt a ""masterpiece"" and Tanya becomes so involved in it that when Grandmother gets sick Tanya works on the quilt herself, with a little help from Mama and her brothers. Months later Grandmother has recovered enough to complete the quilt, and the whole family gathers round to remember the pieces of themselves that make it up. Pinkney's pictures glow softly and abound in loving smiles; the family is black; and the book is a Reading Rainbow selection. It is bound to be admired, despite (or because of) being thoroughly platitudinous. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.