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Oma's Quilt
The time has come for Emily's grandmother to move. But it's hard to leave her house on Maple Street, filled as it is with a lifetime of cherished memories.
At the retirement home, Oma complains about everything, from flowers in the hallway to crooked bowling lanes! Emily wants to see Oma happy again, but she doesn't know what to do. At home, Emily and her mother begin to sort through Oma's possessions.
They find ribbons, lace, curtains and blankets. Surrounded by the faded fabrics, Emily now knows the perfect way to keep Oma's memories by her side - by stitching a one-of-a-kind patchwork quilt!
Spirited illustrations enhance this uplifting story about lives in transition and the threads of memory that hold them together.
At the retirement home, Oma complains about everything, from flowers in the hallway to crooked bowling lanes! Emily wants to see Oma happy again, but she doesn't know what to do. At home, Emily and her mother begin to sort through Oma's possessions.
They find ribbons, lace, curtains and blankets. Surrounded by the faded fabrics, Emily now knows the perfect way to keep Oma's memories by her side - by stitching a one-of-a-kind patchwork quilt!
Spirited illustrations enhance this uplifting story about lives in transition and the threads of memory that hold them together.
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2001
About the author
Paulette Bourgeois
366 books124 followersBorn in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bourgeois graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 1974. She was a psychiatric occupational therapist for three years before deciding to focus on her writing. She studied journalism at Carlton University then worked as a reporter for the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Television. She became a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C. contributing pieces to Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Reader's Digest and Maclean's. She returned to Toronto in 1983.
In 2003, she became a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2007, she received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, the University of Western Ontario.
In 2003, she became a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2007, she received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, the University of Western Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 20, 2019
Oma's Quilt, written by Paulette Bourgeois, with illustrations by Stéphane Jorisch, touches deeply. Both text and accompanying pictures are poignant and evocative, and I think this heartwarming and heartbreaking story of Oma's (grandma's) reluctant move from a house to an assisted living retirement residence will likely strike an emotional chord with many children and adults, especially those who have had to face or are currently facing a similar situation within their own families. Now Oma's new domicile, Forest View Retirement Home, is in Oma's Quilt described as a charming, beautiful place, with attractive rooms and gardens. However to Oma, who has lived in her house on Maple Street for most of her life, it is simply not home, it is strange and unnerving. And while some reviews on Amazon sadly seem to complain that Oma's moodiness and her refusal to be more accepting of her new surroundings are rather annoying, and while Oma's constant bad mood and stubbornness might well be somewhat problematic, one has to realise that being forced to move from a house where she made the decisions, where she was "boss" to a retirement or nursing home where many if not most decisions are now being made not by her, but for her, might indeed and easily result in feelings sadness, and even of active resentment at no longer being independent, of anger at utterly and basically everyone and everything.
Oma's memories are tied to her house on Maple Street and to the many objects she has collected (and perhaps even hoarded) over the years. Of course, Oma's room at the retirement residence is no way even remotely large enough for her to be able to keep most of her collected keepsakes, so this particular fact is without a doubt one of the main reasons for her moodiness, her sadness; she feels as though she has lost her memories, her sense of belonging (and likely even angrily feels as though her memories have been taken from her, that she has had no choice but to relinquish them). And precisely this is why little granddaughter Emily's idea of making a quilt for her grandmother out of some, out of a collection of her many keepsakes is such a wonderful, thoughtful and yes imaginatively ingenious idea. Not only does this memory quilt allow Oma to keep some of her many collected treasures near her, a quilt is also such a comforting, soothing object (being wrapped in a quilt made of memories would be like being surrounded, being lovingly embraced by them). And how sweet and poignant that it is Emily, the little granddaughter, who has the idea of making a memory quilt for Oma. This is not only a beautiful tribute to Emily's imagination and ingenuity, it also demonstrates that children can be of vital assistance to their parents in difficult, stressful times, something that I do believe Oma's Quilt always and very much glowingly presents.
The quilt Emily and her mother end up making from the fabric of collected memories helps to ease Oma's pain, helps her to adjust to Forest View Retirement Home, although it does not (and I appreciate that honesty) suddenly transform Oma's moodiness and resentment. But it does make life at Forest view more acceptable, more tolerable for her. And by extension, the quilt also helps to somewhat ease Emily's and Emily's mother's worry and concern for Oma. The quilt provides solace and hope; it is made of love and represents both love and the importance of memories.
Now while I have indeed (as I think I have shown) very much enjoyed Oma's Quilt and as much as I enjoy and am moved by Paulette Bourgeois' poignant narrative and can relate to both Oma's frustrations and to her daughter's (Emily's mother's) worry, sadness and probable feelings of guilt at having to move her clearly reluctant mother into a retirement home, I also think that she (that Emily's mother, that Oma's daughter) is really somewhat majorly clueless and insensitive at times. For example, Oma has clearly always much loved to cook, to do housework, so for Emily's mother to make a comment about Oma not needing to cook anymore now, this is really and truly not the most sensitive, the most helpful thing to say. And actually, I often find that granddaughter Emily seems to understand her grandmother's feelings somewhat better, and although I can easily empathsise with the mother's difficulties and realise that she is trying to do her best in a difficult situation, I do wish that that she were a bit less insensitive and lacking in understanding with some of her comments.
And finally, Stéphane Jorisch's colourful illustrations truly do work beautifully in this story, in Oma's Quilt, evocatively reflecting the emotions, the feelings of the characters. Oma, hunched in her chair, calling the other residents of the retirement "nincompoops" looks supremely curmudgeonly, a cantankerous grandmother par excellence. And her daughter's facial expression as she and Emily are on their way home after getting Oma "settled" in her new room, they also clearly and evocatively demonstrate how worried and sad she is, as both text and image totally show that Emily's mother indeed is about to cry. My absolutely favourite Oma's Quilt illustration though is the two-page spread at the end of the book, of a much happier Oma, telling her daughter and her granddaughter stories about the many fabric pieces in her new but also old quilt. The images, the memories are depicted as almost dancing on the quilt, and Oma's, Emily's and the mother's smiles are like bright sunshine after a storm, signalling that calmer skies and better weather are likely on the horizon. Highly recommended.
Oma's memories are tied to her house on Maple Street and to the many objects she has collected (and perhaps even hoarded) over the years. Of course, Oma's room at the retirement residence is no way even remotely large enough for her to be able to keep most of her collected keepsakes, so this particular fact is without a doubt one of the main reasons for her moodiness, her sadness; she feels as though she has lost her memories, her sense of belonging (and likely even angrily feels as though her memories have been taken from her, that she has had no choice but to relinquish them). And precisely this is why little granddaughter Emily's idea of making a quilt for her grandmother out of some, out of a collection of her many keepsakes is such a wonderful, thoughtful and yes imaginatively ingenious idea. Not only does this memory quilt allow Oma to keep some of her many collected treasures near her, a quilt is also such a comforting, soothing object (being wrapped in a quilt made of memories would be like being surrounded, being lovingly embraced by them). And how sweet and poignant that it is Emily, the little granddaughter, who has the idea of making a memory quilt for Oma. This is not only a beautiful tribute to Emily's imagination and ingenuity, it also demonstrates that children can be of vital assistance to their parents in difficult, stressful times, something that I do believe Oma's Quilt always and very much glowingly presents.
The quilt Emily and her mother end up making from the fabric of collected memories helps to ease Oma's pain, helps her to adjust to Forest View Retirement Home, although it does not (and I appreciate that honesty) suddenly transform Oma's moodiness and resentment. But it does make life at Forest view more acceptable, more tolerable for her. And by extension, the quilt also helps to somewhat ease Emily's and Emily's mother's worry and concern for Oma. The quilt provides solace and hope; it is made of love and represents both love and the importance of memories.
Now while I have indeed (as I think I have shown) very much enjoyed Oma's Quilt and as much as I enjoy and am moved by Paulette Bourgeois' poignant narrative and can relate to both Oma's frustrations and to her daughter's (Emily's mother's) worry, sadness and probable feelings of guilt at having to move her clearly reluctant mother into a retirement home, I also think that she (that Emily's mother, that Oma's daughter) is really somewhat majorly clueless and insensitive at times. For example, Oma has clearly always much loved to cook, to do housework, so for Emily's mother to make a comment about Oma not needing to cook anymore now, this is really and truly not the most sensitive, the most helpful thing to say. And actually, I often find that granddaughter Emily seems to understand her grandmother's feelings somewhat better, and although I can easily empathsise with the mother's difficulties and realise that she is trying to do her best in a difficult situation, I do wish that that she were a bit less insensitive and lacking in understanding with some of her comments.
And finally, Stéphane Jorisch's colourful illustrations truly do work beautifully in this story, in Oma's Quilt, evocatively reflecting the emotions, the feelings of the characters. Oma, hunched in her chair, calling the other residents of the retirement "nincompoops" looks supremely curmudgeonly, a cantankerous grandmother par excellence. And her daughter's facial expression as she and Emily are on their way home after getting Oma "settled" in her new room, they also clearly and evocatively demonstrate how worried and sad she is, as both text and image totally show that Emily's mother indeed is about to cry. My absolutely favourite Oma's Quilt illustration though is the two-page spread at the end of the book, of a much happier Oma, telling her daughter and her granddaughter stories about the many fabric pieces in her new but also old quilt. The images, the memories are depicted as almost dancing on the quilt, and Oma's, Emily's and the mother's smiles are like bright sunshine after a storm, signalling that calmer skies and better weather are likely on the horizon. Highly recommended.
June 25, 2020
2.5 stars
Although there were some nice elements to this story such as the humour and the relationship between the Grandmother and the daughter there were several things I just couldn't understand or really didn't like.
I couldn't understand why Grandma would be going into a retirement home, she cooks, copes well, is agile enough to go bowling and from the things she says she is clearly not suffering from any mental health or memory problems. In the UK people don't go into these sorts of homes until they're in a very bad way, physically or mentally.
Grandma's treasured possessions are stored at her daughters and then her daughter goes through them deciding what to throw out. There was no mention of Grandma asking her to do this or even being aware of it. The idea to make a quilt for Grandma out of clothes is a nice way to preserve her memories of her old home but I wouldn't be happy about perfectly good clothes and some probably antique clothes being cut up. I also didn't like the way the illustrator had portrayed the quilt, it was more of an applique and didn't look like the traditional quilt I was expecting.
Finally I think keeping busy, active and independent is the most healthy and natural thing for older people and whilst someone can do this it seemed awful and unkind for them to be going into a home where everything was done for you. Had the story mentioned a health reason or condition that explained why Grandma had to be put into a home it would have been very different.
Having said that many goodreads friends really enjoyed this book.
Read on open library
Although there were some nice elements to this story such as the humour and the relationship between the Grandmother and the daughter there were several things I just couldn't understand or really didn't like.
I couldn't understand why Grandma would be going into a retirement home, she cooks, copes well, is agile enough to go bowling and from the things she says she is clearly not suffering from any mental health or memory problems. In the UK people don't go into these sorts of homes until they're in a very bad way, physically or mentally.
Grandma's treasured possessions are stored at her daughters and then her daughter goes through them deciding what to throw out. There was no mention of Grandma asking her to do this or even being aware of it. The idea to make a quilt for Grandma out of clothes is a nice way to preserve her memories of her old home but I wouldn't be happy about perfectly good clothes and some probably antique clothes being cut up. I also didn't like the way the illustrator had portrayed the quilt, it was more of an applique and didn't look like the traditional quilt I was expecting.
Finally I think keeping busy, active and independent is the most healthy and natural thing for older people and whilst someone can do this it seemed awful and unkind for them to be going into a home where everything was done for you. Had the story mentioned a health reason or condition that explained why Grandma had to be put into a home it would have been very different.
Having said that many goodreads friends really enjoyed this book.
Read on open library
September 4, 2011
Well, Oma seems too vibrant and functional to have to move to a retirement home, so I think it’s a shame she couldn’t stay where she was, but there likely is more to the story than is revealed to the reader.
Otherwise, this is a lovely story with incredibly wonderful illustrations. I love the pictures. The colors and content are just wonderful. I love how Oma always wears a lot of color. I particularly like the quilt and the way the three of them are able to view the portions of the quilt. Emily and Oma and Emily’s mother are all interesting characters, as much as can be told from a children’s picture book length book. I got a big chuckle out of the one pile of Oma’s things that are left after Emily and her mother sort through them. The story ends of a happy and hopeful note. It’s not meant to be a depressing story but I found it poignant nevertheless, but I also found it sweet. It’s a fine grandparent and grandchild tale, and I enjoyed the three generations of females in the story.
While I might not actively participate in this month’s discussion, I read this book for the Children's Books group. Grandparents is the theme for this month’s Picture Books Club at that group. I think that this book is an exceptionally fine selection for this month’s book club.
Otherwise, this is a lovely story with incredibly wonderful illustrations. I love the pictures. The colors and content are just wonderful. I love how Oma always wears a lot of color. I particularly like the quilt and the way the three of them are able to view the portions of the quilt. Emily and Oma and Emily’s mother are all interesting characters, as much as can be told from a children’s picture book length book. I got a big chuckle out of the one pile of Oma’s things that are left after Emily and her mother sort through them. The story ends of a happy and hopeful note. It’s not meant to be a depressing story but I found it poignant nevertheless, but I also found it sweet. It’s a fine grandparent and grandchild tale, and I enjoyed the three generations of females in the story.
While I might not actively participate in this month’s discussion, I read this book for the Children's Books group. Grandparents is the theme for this month’s Picture Books Club at that group. I think that this book is an exceptionally fine selection for this month’s book club.
May 10, 2011
I loved this book!!! It's one of those that touched me so deeply I really don't feel I can write an adequate review. I was surprised at the generally mediocre rating here but I think this is a book that will either really speak to you and wrap itself around your heart or it will seem a bit too "quiet" and boring.
This story manages to capture all the angst and love and frustration and sorrow and hope that goes into having to help elderly relatives with transitions when they just can't keep going with life they way they have been. In this case, Oma (Grandma) moves into a lovely retirement community but it just simply isn't "home." Her concerned daughter and granddaughter try to find a way to make the transition easier. Their solution is simply beautiful and does help. I love that everything isn't "perfect" at the end, but it shows that life does go on and adapting is the best way to greet each new day with a smile. Though my parents were able to arrange and assist with care for my own grandparents in my grandparents' own home, I could still relate to so many aspects of this story. I'm not sure how many kids will appreciate this story, but for me its a gem!
This story manages to capture all the angst and love and frustration and sorrow and hope that goes into having to help elderly relatives with transitions when they just can't keep going with life they way they have been. In this case, Oma (Grandma) moves into a lovely retirement community but it just simply isn't "home." Her concerned daughter and granddaughter try to find a way to make the transition easier. Their solution is simply beautiful and does help. I love that everything isn't "perfect" at the end, but it shows that life does go on and adapting is the best way to greet each new day with a smile. Though my parents were able to arrange and assist with care for my own grandparents in my grandparents' own home, I could still relate to so many aspects of this story. I'm not sure how many kids will appreciate this story, but for me its a gem!
April 27, 2019
When Emily's Oma, her grandmother, must move from her house on Maple Street, where she has lived for most of her life, to a retirement home, the older woman is far from happy. She misses her old house, her old neighbors - like Mrs. Mostowyk, who used to wave to her every morning - and many of her old possessions, which cannot be kept in her new single-room residence. Emily, a sensitive youngster who is attuned to her beloved Oma's moods, conceives of a plan to help her grandmother adjust, and to show her that the really important things - her memories, her sense of belonging - can still be hers. And so she and her mother set out to make Oma a very special quilt...
Chosen as one of our September selections, over in the Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is 'grandparents,' Oma's Quilt is an excellent exploration of an experience that many children share: seeing a grandparent moving into some kind of retirement home or assisted living situation. Told with compassion, the narrative is perfectly complemented by Stéphane Jorisch's lovely mixed media illustrations, which have a distinctive and quirky sensibility all their own. Highly recommended to anyone looking for quality children's stories featuring grandparents and grandchildren!
Chosen as one of our September selections, over in the Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is 'grandparents,' Oma's Quilt is an excellent exploration of an experience that many children share: seeing a grandparent moving into some kind of retirement home or assisted living situation. Told with compassion, the narrative is perfectly complemented by Stéphane Jorisch's lovely mixed media illustrations, which have a distinctive and quirky sensibility all their own. Highly recommended to anyone looking for quality children's stories featuring grandparents and grandchildren!
September 10, 2011
Oma's Quilt by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch is a thoughtful, poignant, warm loving look at a beloved grandparent who moves into a retirement home.
At the retirement home, Oma complains about everything, from flowers in the hallway to the nincompoops at the home to crooked bowling lanes!
As Emily and her mother sort through her Oma's things, they find a quilt. Emily suggests making a one-of-a-kind patchwork quilt using the fabrics Oma has saved. The quilt helps Oma remember her past, and wrapping herself in it, "she feels right at home."
The text is evocative, sensitive and heartwarming in exploring the connection between three generations of females in one family. The fact that the family ends up keeping all of Oma's possessions is familiar, having come from a family that kept all kinds of sentimental possessions. The hopeful, but not perfect, resolution made me appreciate the honesty of this authors's creation.
ALthough my grandparents were all deceased by the time I was born, I was present when my great aunt had to move into a retirement home at age 91. Seeing her possessions divided up, since there was no room for them at the retirement home, was an emotional experience for all involved. When our family farm was sold, my uncle had to find a new place to live after living in one home for over 75 years. Having had these experiences, I can totally understand that feeling resentful, cranky, frustrated and unhappy at being in a new home would be natural for any older person.
The illustrations match and expand the text nicely. Jorisch expertly shows the facial expressions of the mother having just left Oma at the retirement home. Her style works well for this story.
For ages 4 to 8, grandmothers, retirement homes, intergenerational families, parents, transitions, quilts, and fans of Paulette Bourgeois and Stephane Jorisch.
At the retirement home, Oma complains about everything, from flowers in the hallway to the nincompoops at the home to crooked bowling lanes!
As Emily and her mother sort through her Oma's things, they find a quilt. Emily suggests making a one-of-a-kind patchwork quilt using the fabrics Oma has saved. The quilt helps Oma remember her past, and wrapping herself in it, "she feels right at home."
The text is evocative, sensitive and heartwarming in exploring the connection between three generations of females in one family. The fact that the family ends up keeping all of Oma's possessions is familiar, having come from a family that kept all kinds of sentimental possessions. The hopeful, but not perfect, resolution made me appreciate the honesty of this authors's creation.
ALthough my grandparents were all deceased by the time I was born, I was present when my great aunt had to move into a retirement home at age 91. Seeing her possessions divided up, since there was no room for them at the retirement home, was an emotional experience for all involved. When our family farm was sold, my uncle had to find a new place to live after living in one home for over 75 years. Having had these experiences, I can totally understand that feeling resentful, cranky, frustrated and unhappy at being in a new home would be natural for any older person.
The illustrations match and expand the text nicely. Jorisch expertly shows the facial expressions of the mother having just left Oma at the retirement home. Her style works well for this story.
For ages 4 to 8, grandmothers, retirement homes, intergenerational families, parents, transitions, quilts, and fans of Paulette Bourgeois and Stephane Jorisch.
March 8, 2019
This book was featured as one of the selections for the September 2011 Grandparents-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads. I'm glad that it was selected, as I'm not sure if we would have discovered it otherwise.
It was also featured as one of the selections for the January/February 2019 Moving & Immigration-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
It's a poignant story about change, growing old, saying goodbye to a cherished home, and adjusting to a retirement community. But it's also a story about love and memories, embracing change and looking forward to the future.
The narrative is bitter sweet, but is great for helping children understand the process of aging and the importance of having good care for our older generation. It's also a source of inspiration for helping our loved ones have a treasured piece of the past.
I would love to create such a quilt for my parents someday - I'll have to learn how to quilt first, though! The illustrations are terrific and we really enjoyed reading this story together.
It was also featured as one of the selections for the January/February 2019 Moving & Immigration-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
It's a poignant story about change, growing old, saying goodbye to a cherished home, and adjusting to a retirement community. But it's also a story about love and memories, embracing change and looking forward to the future.
The narrative is bitter sweet, but is great for helping children understand the process of aging and the importance of having good care for our older generation. It's also a source of inspiration for helping our loved ones have a treasured piece of the past.
I would love to create such a quilt for my parents someday - I'll have to learn how to quilt first, though! The illustrations are terrific and we really enjoyed reading this story together.
July 31, 2012
Emily's grandmother, Oma, is moving out of her house and into a retirement center. Emily and her mother work together to create a quilt out of things Oma had to leave behind.
Oma's Quilt is a very touching story. I really enjoyed the little mannerisms that Emily, her mother, and Oma shared. Such as, patting the back of each other's hand for comfort, it is a nice way to represent a connection between generations.
Oma's Quilt is a very touching story. I really enjoyed the little mannerisms that Emily, her mother, and Oma shared. Such as, patting the back of each other's hand for comfort, it is a nice way to represent a connection between generations.
March 2, 2019
This is my second read (and the group's?) of Oma's Quilt. The message can be summed up in a phrase, but the story & illustrations make it all the more powerfully joyful. Listen up, you minimalists!
Me, though, I'd be glad to live in such a nice place with people who will take care of me and family that visits. ;)
Me, though, I'd be glad to live in such a nice place with people who will take care of me and family that visits. ;)
July 1, 2011
When I saw this here on GR (or in BookPage - not sure now...) I immediately ordered it from my library. It's not often I find a book with 'Oma' and/or 'Opa' in it. Those two words are a part of Julia's every day vocabulary because this is what she calls my Mom and Dad, respectively.
We read tons of books together and while we do read children's books with 'Mom-Mom', 'Pop-pop' and other various forms of the words, it still feels a bit strange to me since she's never used these words within our family. Julia has never said anything about it being weird for her but it's just different for me to read the words when I want Julia to relate.
So, this got me excited. I don't know exactly what I was expecting but this wasn't it. It's not a bad book by a long shot, I just expected something a bit different.
Oma's Quilt is about a little girl and her Mother who are helping the little girls Oma transition to a retirement/nursing home.
The story begins in Oma's empty home with her and her Grand-daughter looking around, remembering. The story quickly goes into the family looking around the new retirement facility and the fact that Oma isn't exactly thrilled to pieces at where she is. She misses her old home on Maple St., she misses her neighbors, she misses cooking for herself, she misses much.
While Oma is trying to get used to where she's currently living, Emily and her Mother are going through Oma's things to find what they want to keep and what they want to give away. At the end of the day they have one pile... the keep pile.
Emily then finds a faded quilt hidden away in a box and she learns from her Mother that her Oma made the quilt - out of Opa's old shirts. This gives Emily the fantastic idea of making a new quilt for Oma - full of everything she loves from her old home.
Emily and her Mother work for weeks on the quilt and finally give Oma her present. This brings me to the illustrations - Jorisch did a fabulous job on this book. The illustrations are what I normally would love but with this book it works, and it works well. The second and third to last pages are especially touching. Oma receiving the quilt and Oma and her Daughter and Grand-daughter all around the quilt. Oma is telling Emily and her Mother the little stories behind what is sewn into/onto the quilt.
I definitely recommend, especially for kids who have an Oma or Opa themselves. If nothing else it's nice to see and hear these terms instead of the American versions sometimes. Aside from this, the story really is rather enjoyable and I'll be checking for other books by Bourgeois soon.
We read tons of books together and while we do read children's books with 'Mom-Mom', 'Pop-pop' and other various forms of the words, it still feels a bit strange to me since she's never used these words within our family. Julia has never said anything about it being weird for her but it's just different for me to read the words when I want Julia to relate.
So, this got me excited. I don't know exactly what I was expecting but this wasn't it. It's not a bad book by a long shot, I just expected something a bit different.
Oma's Quilt is about a little girl and her Mother who are helping the little girls Oma transition to a retirement/nursing home.
The story begins in Oma's empty home with her and her Grand-daughter looking around, remembering. The story quickly goes into the family looking around the new retirement facility and the fact that Oma isn't exactly thrilled to pieces at where she is. She misses her old home on Maple St., she misses her neighbors, she misses cooking for herself, she misses much.
While Oma is trying to get used to where she's currently living, Emily and her Mother are going through Oma's things to find what they want to keep and what they want to give away. At the end of the day they have one pile... the keep pile.
Emily then finds a faded quilt hidden away in a box and she learns from her Mother that her Oma made the quilt - out of Opa's old shirts. This gives Emily the fantastic idea of making a new quilt for Oma - full of everything she loves from her old home.
Emily and her Mother work for weeks on the quilt and finally give Oma her present. This brings me to the illustrations - Jorisch did a fabulous job on this book. The illustrations are what I normally would love but with this book it works, and it works well. The second and third to last pages are especially touching. Oma receiving the quilt and Oma and her Daughter and Grand-daughter all around the quilt. Oma is telling Emily and her Mother the little stories behind what is sewn into/onto the quilt.
I definitely recommend, especially for kids who have an Oma or Opa themselves. If nothing else it's nice to see and hear these terms instead of the American versions sometimes. Aside from this, the story really is rather enjoyable and I'll be checking for other books by Bourgeois soon.
October 1, 2011
Emily's grandmother Oma is moving to a retirement home and Oma isn't very excited about it. A heartwarming story with charming interesting illustrations. Emily is a sweet caring little girl who with the aid of her mother helps her grandmother to transition into her new home. I really enjoyed seeing the three generations of ladies in this story. I really love how the quilt fit into the story. I want to make one for my daughter out of t-shirts or blankets she owned from each year of her life. It would be fun to give her on her 18th birthday.
This was a book chosen by the Children's Picture Book Club September theme of grandparents found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...
This was a book chosen by the Children's Picture Book Club September theme of grandparents found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...
March 22, 2015
Very sweet! This change of life story really shows the emotions that people go through- the old grandma who has to leave her home, the daughter who feels bad about it, but knows it needs to be done- the granddaughter who feels love for her grandmother and shows outward concern for her grandmother. It has wonderful illustrations. I loved how she gradually accepted her new home and that the new home was good. This is a hard time in the lives of those people who have lived forever in their home and then need to make a change- either due to failing memory or bad health, or they just don't take care of themselves the way they should. The idea of the memory quilt is wonderful- taking all of the scraps from the things she had saved and making her a quilt was so sweet. Loved the story! I can see how this might be used to help a child understand if their own grandmother was moving into a home. It could also be used as a mentor text for writing in a classroom. The illustrations are wonderful- they tell the story behind the pieces of fabric and the feeling you get when you read this is heart warming. The relationship between the child and the grandmother could help students remember fondly, their own relationships with their grandparents. Perhaps the students could choose a wonderful memory to write about and illustrate to give as a gift to a grandparent.
May 21, 2015
The story of a grandmother, or Oma, moving into a retirement home from the house where she'd spent her entire adult life, this is a story about adjustment but also about memory. Her daughter and granddaughter find a way for her to take her memories that wouldn't fit otherwise by creating a memory quilt. This book would pair well with others about objects and the memories they hold. It's a good read and the illustrations are nice pen and ink overlaid with water color, though that's described as mixed media at the beginning. Would probably fit its way into a writing workshop lesson.
January 15, 2011
This tender lovely book touches my heart. There is something so special about a hand sewn quilt made especially for a loved one. We need more book like these, that paint a realistic but positive view of relationships with grandparents, learning a new skill to produce something that makes life better for someone else, and retirement homes.
The book was funded through a combination of Canadian grants. I don't see that too often
The book was funded through a combination of Canadian grants. I don't see that too often
September 18, 2011
I appreciated this book, especially since my own grandparents had to be moved to a long term care facility a few months ago. I love how the daughter and granddaughter work together to create a quilt containing so many of grandma's memories. Sweet and touching and a nice story to read today on Grandparent's Day. :)
December 16, 2014
I love those children's books that tackle real-life issues--like grandmother going to a nursing home--and find a loving way to help children deal with the emotions involved, as well as understanding and relating to others' emotions. When the book also offers a positive, novel solution, so much the better. This book is one of those books.
December 26, 2019
I appreciated that Oma moving is hard in different ways on all three women (Oma, her daughter, and her granddaughter). It's not something that only affects Oma.
The book shows Oma adjusting slowly, finding her spot in a new place, and how her daughter and granddaughter help her do that by making a quilt of memories.
The book shows Oma adjusting slowly, finding her spot in a new place, and how her daughter and granddaughter help her do that by making a quilt of memories.
October 3, 2012
A good book for kids who have grandparents who are ailing, especially if they are being put in nursing home. Nice watercolor illustrations and a good message about respecting our elders and their life experiences.
January 25, 2019
I really liked this sweet story. I thought the mixed media artwork was appealing and really complemented the story perfectly. Reminded me of one of my grandmother's who had to move into an assisted living place.
February 3, 2016
This May be a picture book meant for small children, but it will resonate with anyone who has experienced transitioning a parent to a nursing home/assisted living facility (or seeing it as a likely step in their future). I teared up on first reading.
September 14, 2018
This is a beautiful book about Oma moving into the retirement home and her daughter and granddaughter create a quilt of her old fabrics bringing back treasured memories of wedding, new baby, her house and neighbourhood...
October 8, 2018
Fiction
Grades K-4
This book was used to show another strategy on how to end a story. In this book the story ends with a hope or wish. We then talked to our third graders about how they could end their stories similarly.
Grades K-4
This book was used to show another strategy on how to end a story. In this book the story ends with a hope or wish. We then talked to our third graders about how they could end their stories similarly.
March 12, 2017
I have an Oma and she loved this!
October 19, 2018
Teaches of the hardship of moving when you are old. Also love and compassion in making a quilt.
November 30, 2017
Oh, aging. Getting old. Having to leave your home and belongings to move into a facility scare the you-know-what out of most people as they age. That's what happens to little girl's Oma in this book. Her vibrant grandmother (ah, the clothes and hats that she wears!) moves to a facility where she has her own room and there are lots of things to do, but she considers the other residents "nincompoops"...and she can't cook her much-loved strudel. She's homesick and quite unhappy. That is, until her granddaughter and daughter take bits and pieces of her stored belongings and make a quilt. Of course as time has gone by, Oma has adapted to her new surroundings, but the quilt helps hugely! What a lovely, thoughtful book. The pictures give you a real sense of the grandmother, full of color and life.
March 23, 2022
What a sweet sweet story of a family's transition of their elder mother to a retirement facility, and her adjustment there......The Granddaughter in this story is a sweetheart of a little girl who loves her grandmother so. Oma(the grandmother) is set in her ways, but has to move out of her House on maple Street to a retirement home.
I won't tell anymore, but just know this is just the sweetest story. The illustrations were very well thought out, went with the story very well, and made the story that much better.
I would recommend this one to any young person who has interests in quilting, OR who needs to hear a sweet story about family, and love.
I won't tell anymore, but just know this is just the sweetest story. The illustrations were very well thought out, went with the story very well, and made the story that much better.
I would recommend this one to any young person who has interests in quilting, OR who needs to hear a sweet story about family, and love.
March 31, 2022
If you can get past the fact that Oma, who still cooks, remembers things, goes bowling, etc. is moving into a retirement home that she hates, and the mom and grandchild are going through all Oma's stuff to decide what to keep and what to toss, this is a sweet story of a young girl and her mother making a quilt of Oma's old memories.
May 30, 2017
Really sweet book about family and memories.
February 4, 2018
Thank you, Becky, for sharing this book and your family's quilts with me.
January 1, 2025
A lovely book about an oma moving to a seniors' residence and how her granddaughter makes the transition easier.
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