Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet

by Ann Whitford Paul, Jeanette Winter (Illustrator)

"Paul provides information about pioneer life through speculation about the origins of 26 quilt patterns, one for each letter of the alphabet. The variety of colors and designs makes the quilts themselves the real stars of the book [and] will [encourage] students to develop their own creations in cloth or on paper." —SLJ. Outstanding Books of 1991 (NYT)
Notable 1991 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Books for Vacation Reading (NYT)

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Childrens, Nonfiction, Art, Crafts

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

ANN WHITFORD PAUL, author of 'TWAS THE LATE NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS has always been crazy for Christmas, but overwhelmed by it, too. Afterwards she is worn-out and dreams that someone like Mrs. Saint Nick could help her out with the resulting chaos and mess.

Ann graduated from the University of Wisconsin and Columbia University School of Social Work. She became inspired to write picture books after years of bedtime reading to her four children. She's published 19 different award-winning books. Now she gets story ideas from her three grandchildren. For ten years she taught picture book writing through UCLA Extension. She still enjoys teaching how to write picture books. When she isn't writing or teaching, she loves listening to her cat purr, watching spiders spin their webs and following snails' trails.

You can learn more about her, download writing tips and classroom activities, and contact her through her web-site: www.annwhitfordpaul.net

Reviews

[SamZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the different blocks chosen for each letter and that both the block and the whole quilt were shown. Often part of what makes the block so special is the overall pattern it creates in the while piece. Each letter also told some brief history about daily life in the 1800s. Some of the letters also came with suppositions on how the patterns were created, which I could have done without. I did really like this book; my grandmother and mother both do patchwork and hand quilting and I enjoy piecing when I have the time.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Patchwork is pieces of fabric cut into different shapes and sewn together into patterns. During the first one hundred years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, many women and girls--and even a few men and boys--sewed patchwork.

Premise/plot: It is an alphabet book, but it is an alphabet book for older readers. The goal isn't to teach little ones the alphabet. Each letter of the alphabet shares information about a particular quilt pattern. Information is included providing background on how people lived and showing that how they lived influenced the name of the pattern. (Churn Dash, Grandmother's Fan, Log Cabin, etc.)

My thoughts: My mom is the quilter of the family. She loves to sew quilt blocks by hand. She has books of patterns. She is always looking for new books on quilting at the library. I shared this one with her. I wanted her perspective. She had opinions! What we both loved was that we get to see in each pattern both the one block AND the whole quilt. Not all quilt books include this 'big picture.' There were some letters where she was, "I wouldn't have chosen that block for that letter...."

Overall, I liked it well enough.

[Caroline]

History of different patches

[Fatemesadat shahravesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتابی برای آموزش الفبا که برای هر حرف داستانی از دل تاریخ را تعریف می‌کند. در تصویر هر صفحه هم تکه‌ای از یک لحاف چهل‌تکه نمایش داده شده. ایده جذابی دارد اما داستان‌های معمولی‌اند

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book since childhood, but I don't think I'd ever read it until I shared it with Miss Muffet this past week. It's an alphabet book explaining the inspiration behind 26 different quilting patterns. It wasa perfect way to introduce little tidbits of history to a preschooler.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love imaginative books organized by using the ABC’s—it appeals to my sense of order (being a Virgo). This book covers 26 quilt patterns, one for each letter of the alphabet and explains the origins of the designs by describing the activity or occupation on which they’re based.

[SmarterLilac · Rating 4 out of 5]

An endearing look at early American life. Cute, well done illustrations. Notable because in this age of High Technology, so much of this information already feels like it describes an alien world to me. How will it look to the children born to my generation?

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book fascinated me for I am a novice quilter. I loved seeing the different patterns that are used in quilts. What intrigued me more was where they came from. I would like to use this book to teach my students about women history.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many blocks, but some have many names. Now which ones would I like to incorporate into a quilt?

[Marianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the "perhaps xyz created this pattern when" thing. Most quilt patterns are fairly well researched as to their origins and the author really seemed to oversimplify this information.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each letter features a colorful illustration and an explanation for the reason behind the quilt pattern depicted.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming alphabet book of quilt designs, giving the history behind many traditional patterns.

[Michael D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This math book uses 26 patchwork quilt patterns, one for each letter of the alphabet, which are accompanied by written descriptions of the patterns.

[Megan Willis]

shapes, translation, pattern

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look at how quilts are made and the origin of quilts using the alphabet.

[Ian Foutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all the quilting ideas. Gave me a lot of new things to try.

[Caroline Mcphail-Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alphabet book of 26 historical quilt patterns. Informative and colourful peak at a period of history about necessity becoming art and usefulness.