Patchwork Prince

by Baptiste Paul, Kitt Thomas (Illustrator)

A joyful, empowering story of a boy made royal by his mother’s hand-stitched clothes, inspired by the author's childhood in St. Lucia, and with art by a #1 NYT bestselling artist with St. Lucian roots.

What makes a patchwork prince? A prince must be ready for adventure—ready for the night, ready to pluck the brightest, most beautiful fabrics from the scrap heap, ready to run when danger comes. With the treasures he and his mother collect, she will make him clothes fit for No flashy jewels, no crown, but a cut and drape that hug his Black shoulders just right. And in his new clothes, with chin held high, he will know he is a prince.

Together with Kitt Thomas’s beautiful, exuberant  artwork, acclaimed author Baptiste Paul brings readers a celebratory story about confidence and self-worth, and the enduring love between a mother and son.

"Joyful [and] powerful . . . So much beauty.” —SLJ (starred review)
"Artfully rendered . . . A loving portrait of a child embracing their innate value." —PW
"Filled with energy and movement, [the book speaks] to the resilience of the human spirit." —Kirkus

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Poverty, Fiction, African American, Storytime

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2023

Reviews

[Ekene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the SWEEETEST SWEETEST BOOK EVER

[Austyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so important: it tells the story of a child living in poverty and who can still find joy. That being said, I wish more of the real story, which is shared in the author's note, was shared in the book. It's a personal preference, but I prefer a book give me the whole story rather than just a airy fairy narrative.

My other quibble is about the illustrations. They are lovely, truly. Full of happiness and color. But digital drawings will always take away from the book. They're not as full of life as hand drawn illustrations, and these are no exception. This book would have been an easy 5 star had it featured painted illustrations.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing art coupled with joyful text in this sweet and poignant story about a boy and his mom, the world they live in and the struggles they overcome. It’s a tribute to positivity, self-worth, self-confidence, and imagination. Remember to read the Author’s Note which shares the inspiration behind this story.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important window into another world which would be really helpful for our privileged students to read. The authors note at the end is as important as the story itself. The prince and his mom collect old clothing and fabric scraps from a truck that wizzes by. Mom creates beautiful capes and clothes from the straps making her son feel like a prince. Beautiful illustrations.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joyful, self-affirming book about making beauty out of thrown away cloth scraps, a loving mother and son, and the attributes of a prince: bravery, patience, speed, alertness, gratefulness, and pride. Based on the author's childhood in St. Lucia, the bright and lively illustrations are by Kitt Thomas, also from that island.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this picture book are gorgeous! I love seeing the bright patchwork colors of the salvaged fabric and the joyful dark skinned black boy. Similar to Dolly's 'Coat of Many Colors' in theme, it would be interesting to talk about the two together.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! I love how happy the patchwork clothes made him. I love how they were actually his Sunday best clothes rather than his regular ones. Wonderful.

Actually, I was a little bit confused at parts, but the author's note at the end really helped a lot. ;-)

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the artwork in this story. Wow! The colors are so amazing. It is digital artwork. The amount of colors in this work is unbelievable. The simmer like a sunset or blanket like a night sky with all the different purples and blues. The patchwork cloak is so colorful. I'm just amazing by this. It has high energy and optimism and so much more. This artwork makes you feel. It's awesome.

The story is about a boy and his mother. He thinks of himself as a prince and his mom is the queen. I love that. They go pick up scraps of fabric that a big company is dumping and about to set fire too. They run home and make clothes from the scraps that are very colorful.

I don't get why corporations have to be so nasty. Why burn the scraps? What does it hurt to let people use their scraps? I don't understand. Anyway.

The mother and son make life wonderful, even though they have so little. It's a beautiful book about making life better than it is.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book story is alive with color illustrations by Kitt Thomas. I encourage you to take a picture walk before reading the text. The details in the emotions of the characters and the exploding color of the found fabric is heartwarming. The story is a bit of memory from the childhood of the author when his family would hide near where the trucks from businesses would dump leftover fabrics that had not been used. The drivers were told to set them on fire, but some kinder drivers gave the family time to grab some material first. This fabric was skillfully woven into attire fit for a king and the illustrations show the pride in having new clothing as the family danced with joy.

This is a lovely story that is a small moment. Teachers will love that! It is also a look at living on an island in a poor community.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Dial Books through Edelweiss+.
Baptiste shares his childhood memories with readers. They have an adventure with his mom and he as they gather scraps to make new clothes. They watch as the two clean and create. Then they dance with them after the new brightly colored cape is completed. The joy in the memories shines through. The text and illustrations capture the love in this family. The vivid colors swirl through the images. Encouraging story of finding love and joy no matter what the circumstances. Be sure to read the author's note as Baptiste shares more of his story.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - I read a digital advanced reader's copy courtesy of the publisher
When the trucks from a local business dump their fabric scraps, impoverished people have just a few minutes to grab the scraps before, under command from the wealthy factory owners, the dumpers must burn the scraps. The boy of this story delights in the beautiful clothing his mother makes as if with magic from the remnants that salvage. This is an eye-opening example of the haves and the have nots.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Each piece tells a story."

A young boy and his mother wait until the right moment to grab fabric scraps from where factory workers throw them out so they can create their patchwork clothing. Dressed in all the bright colors, he feels like royalty

Based on the experience of the author growing up in St. Lucia

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface this is a story about a prince who's mother makes wonderful clothes for him. Underneath you will see a mother and son making the best with what they have. Reminds us that we can find joy even when life is challenging.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story of a family working together to create a patchwork cape for the little prince set in St. Lucia where the creator is from.

It's got vibrant colors and an evenness to the storytelling that's heartwarming.

[LS Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

all five stars earned for highlighting a situation that still continues today. i appreciate that the MC is happy, his mother is joyful. added points for lived experience of author and illustrator match the MC

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Jody Cornelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story, stunning artwork. I could get lost in each spread.

[Carol Neumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved this story about how his mother made him a prince by sewing beautiful pieces of colorful cloth together. Great story for kids.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

When reading to children, I think it would be best to read the back matter first and then the story.

[Karen Lemmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by the author's real life story, a mother and son celebrates many traits of a prince: confidence, humility, courage, pride and more through the magic of a beautiful patchwork cape.

[Dreamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story with great illustrations. The authors note at the end giving context makes it even more magical. Poverty from a grateful child's perspective.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories from Paul's childhood woven into this appealing story. The vibrant joyous illustrations are the highlight of this book.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story with great illustrations that perfectly compliment the story. Really appreciated reading the authors note and learning more. Highly recommend this book!

[AbsentLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is amazing! beautiful colours, sweeping scenes. Love it!
A story of self-worth, creativity and confidence.

[Stacy Natal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true story about a family in poverty (St. Lucia) working together to create a patchwork cape for their "prince".

Colorful illustrations, not sure if my students quite understood the story.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. Multicultural. Colorful illustrations. The author’s note added to the story.

[Mackenzie]

Illustrations are GORGEOUS
This was empowering and a very cool display of the author’s childhood

[Mandy Robek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will need to be read twice - once before and once after the authors note. A story about taking fabric scraps and reusing.

[Abbigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about imagination and joy despite difficult struggles. The author's note at the end of this book adds important context to what is otherwise a sort of confusing/mysterious story.