The Memory Quilt

By Lori Keating

Genre: Children’s/Picture Book

Publisher: Monarch Educational Services, January 2024

Target Audience: Children ages 5 to 10 years

Pages: 34

Via: Monarch

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

When Grace’s neighbor and friend Jason dies unexpectedly, Grace isn’t sure what to do. She wants to let the Davidsons know she’s thinking about them and feeling their loss. Should she make them a card? Pick them a daisy bouquet? She decides she wants to do something more. Something special.  

An Idea

When a classmate shows how grandmother made a beautiful keepsake quilt for her, Grace has an idea. She decides to make a memory quilt using Jason’s clothes. There’s just one problem: Grace doesn’t know how to make a quilt.

The rest the book is a heartwarming tale about how family and friends pitch in to help Grace make a one-of-a kind memory quilt in honor of her friend and neighbor, Jason.  And how she misses him, too.  The final pages focus on some unique and treasured memories Grace and Jason shared as Grace captures each one in every stitch.  It gently illustrates a unique and personal way to cherish and honor the memory of a loved one.

Also included is additional information about how quilt makers celebrate life events through their art.

The Memory Quilt is a children’s picture book that tackles a tough topic: The death of a child. It does so in a kind and healthy way, giving young children room to acknowledge death and loss without devolving into morbid or maudlin. Themes of friendship, grief, loss, and neighborliness are addressed in a sensitive and compassionate manner that will resonate with the target audience of young readers ages five to ten years old.  Thus, this title would be a welcome addition to any home or classroom library.

Illustrations

I loved Alyssa Grizenko’s colorful illustrations and lively text describing seasonal activities the two kids enjoyed together, like jumping in a big pile of raked fallen leaves. Baking gingerbread cookies. Planting vegetables in a spring garden. A summer block party with baseball and a barbecue. Also how Grace wants to honor her friend and keep their cherished memories alive by making a special quilt for Jason’s parents.

On Two Feet

The Memory Quilt is touching and transformative at the same time. It’s also about grace on two feet. Indeed, “grace” is more than a name in this sweet and inspiring story. 

Again and again

The Memory Quilt is the kind of gentle, thought-provoking story that you’ll want to reach for again and again. It would make a good read aloud and/or a springboard for further discussion. It merits a wide audience.

Our Rating: 4.0

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Lori Keating lives in sunny Southwest Florida with her wonderful husband and daughter. Ever since she was in the fourth grade and entered a young author’s contest and won, she knew she wanted to be an author someday. When she’s not writing, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and enjoying time on the beach.