The Quilting Bee

Gibbons, Gail. 2004. The Quilting Bee. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0688163971.

They’re not just for keeping you warm anymore. As shown in this book, quilts reflect the lives of the quilt makers and specific patterns are recognized for their universality, such as “The Road to California” and signature quilts. The history of quilts is explored, especially in the pioneer days of the United States, as is the process of putting a quilt together. This survey book also incorporates aspects of an informational storybook when the generic quilting bee group wins first place at a local contest. Gibbons’ characteristically colorful, cartoon-like illustrations are at their best, revealing the social and crafty dimensions of this art form. She includes directions for children to explore “an authors’ and illustrators’ quilt” at the end. Gibbons lends her talent and authority to the making of quilts and this volume is highly recommended for school and public libraries.