This is one in our Double Scoop Sundae series featuring a pair of thematically-related books and ideas for teachers and library program developers seeking ways to extend storytime with them.
Two new picture books, each released in the US in both English and Spanish editions, center needlework as a way many families keep alive family stories and cultural traditions. In addition to providing a wider view on both how we create and share stories, and how cultures share old traditions in the modern world, these two books also invite young listeners to practice small motor skills by taking up simple sewing projects (guidance offered below).
THE QUILT OF OUR MEMORIES
Written by Desirée Acevedo and illustrated by Víctor Jaubert, THE QUILT OF OUR MEMORIES is published by Spain’s Cuento de Luz. This English translation was undertaken by Jon Brokenbrow and is from LA COLCHA DE NUESTROS RECUERDOS, also available to North American readers. In a story of generations, women with a wide variety of interests have added to a quilt passed down through the years. The individual pieces show their individual favorites—a red carnation, a book, a dog—and personalities—a train for the traveler, drama masks for twins who love to perform. And then one of the descendants herself becomes a mother to just one child. Will he continue the tradition of stitching a memory of a female family member?
In addition to providing us with a story of a family honoring its individual members and memorializing its generations, this picture book also presents illustrations that reference the history of sewing technology and customs themselves as the years pass. How did an early 20th century woman create her square in the quilt? What about in the 21st century? Different needle arts are also depicted, including embroidery, needlepoint, and machine stitching. All these details go to demonstrate how a well-illustrated picture book can offer information that both supports the narrative and expands the information-building young viewers can gain about their own culture and those of others.
WITH A NEEDLE AND THREAD: A Jewish Folktale from Cuba
Jennifer Stempel’s WITH A NEEDLE AND THREAD: A JEWISH FOLKTALE FROM CUBA is illustrated by Libi Axelrod and published by Kalaniot Books. Thanks to translator Lawrence Schimel, a Spanish language edition is also available: CON HILO Y AGUJA: UN CUENTO JUDIO DE CUBA. Here we follow the growth of a seamstress’s granddaughter from early childhood through marriage and beyond to gain status in her community as the one who
“Using everything your abuelita taught you and some lo que sea,
you’ve created treasures that connect us all.”
The setting of this tale is a small Jewish community in which traditions brought from Turkey’s Sephardic community, along with those of immigrants from Eastern Europe’s Ashkenazi, and some that were forged in the United States to Cuba. Granddaughter Romi learns and practices two things: how to repurpose clothing and other fabric pieces as they become worn or too small for one purpose, and how to share and provide with her community her ideas for putting the old to new uses. Picture book readers are presented with some explicitly Jewish celebrations, including the celebration of a baby boy’s entry into the community and a wedding under a canopy (chuppa). There are many universal threads here as well: the power of creativity to give new purpose to what has lost its original use, the comradery and supportive help of community, and the role of a community banquet as a celebration of accomplishments achieved and promise to continue forward as a cohesive group.
More to Explore
While THE QUILT OF OUR MEMORIES shows progression through one family’s generations, WITH A NEEDLE AND THREAD shows the sustaining growth of community. Both are important to our daily lives and these two picture books each provide a powerful reflection of how as well as why. Both bring young readers finely woven narratives and engaging characters while also showing scenes that expand each story with their rich visual details. Having both available in English and Spanish editions also expands on their underlying theme of inclusivity.
Thanks to the publishers, this pair of picture books arrives with plenty of activities already suggested! Cuento de Luz has created a downloadable PDF of suggested discussion cues and a craft related to THE QUILT OF OUR MEMORIES. Back matter in WITH A NEEDLE AND THREAD includes a recipe (nicely in keeping with the book’s theme as it is for ropa vieja; that is, “old clothes”!) along with background information about the Cuban setting and a glossary of terms from the multiple traditions informing the story’s community. Both books provide these expansions and enrichments in Spanish as well as English.