The Memory Quilt

by Lori Keating

Some memories are stitched into our hearts forever. Grace and Jason shared a lifetime of laughter and adventures, until everything changed. After Jason’s sudden passing, Grace longs to comfort his grieving parents but doesn’t know how. Then, inspired by a simple quilt stitched with love, she begins a heartfelt journey to create something a memory quilt made from Jason’s favorite clothes. The Memory Quilt is a tender story of love, loss, and the threads that connect us. It gently reminds us that even in sorrow, memories can wrap around our hearts and never let go.

Genres: Picture Books, Grief

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Shelly Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful I received an ARC of THE MEMORY QUILT. This PB is beautifully bittersweet and the subject of grief is handled in a wonderfully sensitive way. It will make the grieving process more understandable for a child and I believe we need more books like this in the world.

I cried reading this and it's a story that will stay with you long after you read it. Thank you for the opportunity to read this beauty. It's a book that matters.

[Stacey Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the last page of The Memory Quilt by Lori Keating with a tear in my eye and a warm heart. It was a sensitive, tender story about love and loss and finding solace in the memories of those we love. The illustrations by Alyssa Grizenko are beautiful and perfectly complement the words in this book that are both powerful and gentle. It is a wonderful resource for supporting children through difficult times, and I highly recommend it.

[Kyshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Memory Quilt by Lori Keating is a very well written book aimed at children 8 years or older. This book gently deals with the death of a school friend who is also a playmate.
Keating highlights the value of shared experiences, friendship, treasured memories, family traditions and heirlooms.
It is especially encouraging to see a variety of ethnicities and diverse classmates represented in the engaging illustrations.
Without minimizing the grief experienced by survivors of an untimely death, the thoughtful compassion of a young neighbor is celebrated.
I highly recommend this book!

[Abbie Crank · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MEMORY QUILT is a beautiful story about grief and unending friendship. The author handles tough subjects in a delicate way. Alyssa Grizenko's beautiful drawings bring the story to life on every page. This is an excellent book for readers of any age but especially for young readers who might struggling with loss and the grief that accompanies it.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! A beautiful story.

I'm slightly biased because my sister illustrated it. But you should buy one or request it at your library.

Seriously, though.

B. Grizenko

[Susan]

When Grace’s neighbor Jason dies unexpectedly, Grace decides to make his parents something special so they can remember him: a memory quilt sewn from his old clothes! Lovely sensory details and heart are stitched into nearly every spread of this beautiful book. I love how Grace finds comfort and provides comfort to others through the act of quilting. Crafts can indeed heal. A great SEL picture book for exploring resilience, loss, and kindness. Thanks to Monarch-Caterpillar books for sharing an ARC.

[Ashley White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Memory Quilt is a well-written—and well-illustrated—children’s book that deals with the heavy topic of grief in such a way that it’s more easily digestible for children. Any child, whether or not they’re personally dealing with grief, can benefit from this story and its heartfelt message.

[Nonie Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a sweet story, of learning how to give compassion. My only thought is, can a young child, handle an unexplained and sudden death of a young friend. Other then that I found the lesson of compassion and giving to be very special.

[Steena Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Memory Quilt is a beautifully written story about love, loss, and kindness. Such a lovely message for readers, and although losing a loved one can never fully be mended, there can be comfort and healing in thoughtful deeds. I hope this sweet book reaches many libraries, schools, and homes, and brings light to those who need it.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this story! Lori’s writing is so heartfelt and beautiful, the words bring you right into all the emotions that are going on throughout the book! It is truly an honor to recommend this read to every family!!!

[Lindsey Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Keating has created a sweet age-appropriate story about grief and how acts of kindness can help ease the pain of loss by filling our hearts with happy memories. A perfect story to share with loved ones and a great way to open a dialogue about those we miss.

[Angelique Burrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful story tackles the difficult subject of grief with compassion. Keating helps young readers understand the healing power of caring for others in the hardest of times. A wonderful reminder that those that pass away are always with us.

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Grace's neighbor and friend Jason dies unexpectedly, Grace isn’t sure what to do. She wants to let the Davidsons know she’s thinking about them and feeling their loss. Should she make them a card? Pick them a daisy bouquet? She decides she wants to do something more. Something special.  

When a classmate shows how grandmother made a beautiful keepsake quilt for her, Grace has an idea. She decides to make a memory quilt using Jason’s clothes. There’s just one problem: Grace doesn’t know how to make a quilt.

The rest the book is a heartwarming tale about how family and friends pitch in to help Grace make a one-of-a kind memory quilt in honor of her friend and neighbor, Jason.  And how she misses him, too.  The final pages focus on some unique and treasured memories Grace and Jason shared as Grace captures each one in every stitch.  It gently illustrates a unique and personal way to cherish and honor the memory of a loved one.

Also included is additional information about how quilt makers celebrate life events through their art.

The Memory Quilt is a children’s picture book that tackles a tough topic: The death of a child. It does so in a kind and healthy way, giving young children room to acknowledge death and loss without devolving into morbid or maudlin. Themes of friendship, grief, loss, and neighborliness are addressed in a sensitive and compassionate manner that will resonate with the target audience of young readers ages five to ten years old.  Thus, this title would be a welcome addition to any home or classroom library.

I loved Alyssa Grizenko's colorful illustrations and lively text describing seasonal activities the two kids enjoyed together, like jumping in a big pile of raked fallen leaves. Baking gingerbread cookies. Planting vegetables in a spring garden. A summer block party with baseball and a barbecue. Also how Grace wants to honor her friend and keep their cherished memories alive by making a special quilt for Jason's parents.

The Memory Quilt is touching and transformative at the same time. It's also about grace on two feet. Indeed, "grace" is more than a name in this sweet and inspiring story. 

The Memory Quilt is the kind of gentle, thought-provoking story that you’ll want to reach for again and again. It would make a good read aloud and/or a springboard for further discussion. It merits a wide audience.

[Kellie Beggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Memory Quilt by Lori Keating; Illustrated by Alyssa Grizenko is a beautiful story that tugs at the heart. Grace is a close friend of her neighbors, the Davidsons. She makes memories with their son Jason that will last a lifetime. When Jason's life is cut short, Grace feels a strong need to do something special for Jason's parents. A student in her class shares a memory quilt as her show-and-tell item. This inspires Grace. Grace, with the help of her mother, makes a quilt out of Jason's clothes. Each piece symbolizes a special part of Jason's life. The making of the quilt helps heal Grace and the receiving of the quilt is something the Davidsons will cherish. The book ends with short back matter explaining what memory quilts are and their purpose throughout time. This story is beautifully and thoughtfully written. It takes a hard subject, treats it with the respect it deserves, and delivers it to a young audience in a way that isn't scary. It gives children a sense of agency. A way that they can help during a time when most feel helpless.

[Mark Snoad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tender, heart-warming, and poignant story about loss, grief and healing. It is remarkable how much emotion can be contained within 30 pages of a children's book. Lori Keating's straightforward and honest storytelling will help kids of any age process their feelings, with such lines as "Her heart feels as worn out as his clothes." And yet the essence of the story is one of remembrance, celebration, and hope.

My mum died when I was 15, so I am well acquainted with loss and grief. My friends at the time did not know what to say, because words couldn't comfort. Here in The Memory Quilt we are gifted with a way forward to journeying with someone going through grief. The love and care woven into the quilt is more powerful than 1,000 words. And the way that the quilt is gifted to the grieving family, that is yet another way of gently and loving walking alongside people in pain. Beautiful.

[Julie Hauswirth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful ode to friendship and highlights the feelings that remain when we experience loss. Keating's skill as a writer makes a difficult topic accessible to children with gentle imagery and tenderness. With the focus of the book centered on moving forward in the face of grief, this story is sure to be a helpful resource to families dealing with loss- or to those looking for ways to help someone who is.

[Kiran Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Lori's picture book illustrated by Alyssa Grizenko. I love how Lori describes their friendship through all seasons. She takes us on a sensorial, emotional journey with her words. The illustrations are lovely. This is such a hard topic but so well described. I loved reading it. Discussing about loss isn't easy. The idea of a quilt is so thoughtful and the take-away from the book is really special. I am so glad I got a chance to read this lovely story. #SEL #friendship #loss

[Heather Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Keating and Alyssa Grizenko have crafted a lovely book, perfect for ages 5-8, dealing with the difficult but important topics of loss and grief and how to help others. When Grace's best friend and neighbor, Jason, suddenly dies, she struggles with what she can do to show his parents how much she misses him. Her idea is clever and meaningful. As she works on her special project, she is able to relive her amazing memories with her best friend, while making a keepsake that will bless his parents also. This lovely book gently deals with difficult topics, making them accessible for early elementary children...and their parents also. You'll pull this book out over and over for its warmth and heart!

[Leah Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Keating's The Memory Quilt is a heartfelt, lovely picture book that tackles a difficult topic. The story opens with Grace and Jason playing together throughout the seasons. But sadly, Jason unexpectedly dies. Grace figures out a way to use her grief for good and creates a memory quilt for Jason's parents. While this topic may be hard for children to understand, Lori does a good job with this sensitive subject while Alyssa Grizenko's illustrations add layers of emotion. I recommend this book, especially to anyone who has lost someone special.

[Pam Vaughan]

This story tackles the topics of compassion, empathy, and grief. Grace comes up with the idea of making a memory quilt for her grieving neighbors. In making the quilt, she also processes her own feelings. A sweet and poignant story that takes on tough topics with a light touch.

[Hallie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book that tenderly covers a serious topic for children - the loss of a friend. Grace misses her friend Jason and notices his parents never smile anymore since his death. She wants to help them smile again and gets the idea to make a quilt with Jason's clothes to give to them. This is a wonderful and touching story full of heart and healing.

[Jess Hinrichs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely and poignant story! A memory quilt is such a special way of honoring a life lost, and it’s a tangible way to keep memories alive for loved ones. Keating’s words and Grizenko’s illustrations blend beautifully together to tell this heartwarming story.

[Jany Campana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely picture book follows Grace as she tries to share her memories of her best friend with his parents after his death. The Memory Quilt introduces children to the tradition of remembering a lost loved one by creating a special token of love. The lyrical writing and beautiful artwork work together to make this a very sweet story for the whole family.

[Deirdre Laide · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Memory Quilt explores the difficult topic of grief in a lovely, child-friendly way.

[Hadassah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet story talks about complicated subjects but handles them well, and offers good opportunities to discuss them with children.
The illustrations were simple and conveyed mood well with the colors.
I appreciate that this book encourages children to find meaningful ways to uplift somebody who is grieving. And as a seamstress, I value that this book shows sewing as a means to bring comfort and memorialize someone's life.

[Elizabeth E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story that shares a special way to capture and hold onto memories. The author has taken a difficult topic and made it accessible and inspiring.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story that gave me the idea of creating a memory quilt for my friend.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori has woven together a beautiful story about friendship, and love, and the beautiful way grief can be channeled into something positive, and everlasting.
I highly recommend this story to both parents and young children struggling with the loss of a loved one.

[J. Ekpo]

The Memory Quilt is a story about loss.

We live in an age where loss, hurt, war, and general inhumanity are prevalent and on the rise. Because of this, wouldn’t it be wise to acquaint children - the next generation - with these weighty topics? We want them to be prepared.

Lori Keating’s book puts forth the topics of death and loss gently in the character Grace, who makes a quilt out of her deceased friend Jason’s old clothes. She makes the quilt as a gift for his grieving parents. As she makes the quilt, she’s forced to remember the times she had with him, which makes her sad, but she learns to look to the future with hope and joy (giving the gift to his parents).

Overall, the illustrations fit nicely with the book. They are clear and easy to understand and support the story. Thank you Lori Keating for this book!

[Laura Petrisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Keating can touch emotions with her writing. The Memory Quilt is a moving story about a young girl who has lost a friend who was more like a brother. She decides to make a quilt with her friend’s old clothes and give it to his parents. Each piece of clothing holds a memory. This book made me cry. A memory quilt is such a beautiful way to honor loved ones who have passed on. The Memory Quilt is an excellent resource for children who are grieving the loss of someone important to them.