Story Quilts: Appalachian Women Speak

by Shannon Hitchcock, Sophie Page (Illustrator)

History books have forgotten most Appalachian women, many of whom were poor or lacked formal education. Yet these women spoke through the quilts they created from scraps of cloth collected over time. Piece by piece, these patchwork quilts revealed the beauty of mountain life.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2022

About the author

SHANNON HITCHCOCK grew up in rural North Carolina on a 100-acre farm. Her extended family and love of the south are integral to her stories. Shannon is the author of ONE TRUE WAY, (Scholastic 2018), RUBY LEE & ME, (Scholastic 2016), and the Crystal Kite Award-winning, THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL. Shannon's picture book biography, OVERGROWN JACK was nominated for the Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award. Her writing has been published in Highlights for Children, Cricket, Children’s Writer, and other magazines.

Shannon currently divides her time between Hendersonville, NC and Tampa, Florida.

Reviews

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book looks as if it were made for children and by children. The images have a kid’s simplistic skill with clumsy outlines, bright primary colors and bold outlines. It doesn’t exactly appeal to my tastes.

However, this simplicity does reflect the lives of these women. They lived hardscrabble lives but you sense the quiet satisfaction with which they carried out their domestic duties. Their quilts weren’t just another chore; they were windows to the past, with each scrap reflecting a part of their lives. It also reflects their consistent frugality. Clothes weren’t thrown out because they were too worn; they were relegated to a rag basket and resurrected to become part of another household good. It was function married with form.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this and appreciate so much that a book like this is now available to little hands. Appalachian culture is mostly forgotten, pushed aside, or viewed as ignorant, and this needs to change. Discrimination against poor people who cannot read or write, who worked the coal mines, and were looked down on for their large families and women choosing to be housewives, is really upsetting to me (as someone who comes from Appalachian ancestors). This book made me smile, quite proudly. :)

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely review Children's books but this picture book is visually stunning and pairs so beautifully with the text. The facile use of mixed media creates textures that mimic the softness of well-worn cloth, the creases of an old woman's skin, the steady cadence of hand sewn stitches. Quilter's, teachers, grandmothers take note!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunningly beautiful artwork with a compelling story.

[Gatash911 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful inside and out! I can't wait to read this to my students.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tribute to the women of Appalachia and their quilts. This is sure to inspire readers to look more into story quilts.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful mixed media representation of the creativity of Appalachian women and their skilled needlework that told their stories.

[Bea Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was non fiction for adults when I saw it at the library. It is not by t it is still excellent.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appalachian women tell their stories as they make quilts from pieces of cloth. A piece of an apron that belonged to grandma; now it is part of a quilt that will be passed down for generations. I had no idea that this tradition existed; always nice to learn something new from a book for children; keeps me real humble.