amysbrittain's review against another edition
5.0
Ahhh, Peachtree, my old stomping grounds! Picked this up at the library, then realized it was a Peachtree book. Art/characters/story feel Eastern European, I love the illustrations as well as the story of giving without reserve and unexpectedly receiving gifts in return.
alicebennett's review against another edition
5.0
A story about giving up what you have for others who need it more. This heart-warming tale is great for teaching the importance of giving and sharing.
bookscoffeandacat's review
4.0
sweet story. The eleven-year-old said the story was nice but the people were creepy looking. I have to admit that I'm not loving the illustrations either, although I liked the bright colors and pale backgrounds.
tashrow's review
4.0
Babba Zarrah tells children in her small village stories on her wonderful patchwork blanket. When she notices that one of the children has a hole in her shoe, she decides to knit a pair of warm socks. But with all of the snow, no one can bring yarn to the village. Within a few sips of her tea, Babba Zarrah has figured out exactly what to do. Each day she notices new uses for the yarn in her blanket. Brightly colored knit gifts are showing up all over the village but no one knows where they are coming from. But the children are noticing that they are sitting closer and closer together as the story blanket shrinks each day. Until one day, the blanket is gone. Then the villagers realize what has been happening and find their own way to show thanks.
The text in the book is thoroughly charming as are the illustrations. The words don't just tell the story, but also give small glimpses into the ways of the village without intruding in the tale at all. The book reads smoothly and easily with just the right pacing. The illustrations manage to be modern with a traditional twist. A perfect accompaniment to this story which may or may not be set in the past.
A well-knitted story and one that will read aloud well, this book is appropriate for ages 4-6.
The text in the book is thoroughly charming as are the illustrations. The words don't just tell the story, but also give small glimpses into the ways of the village without intruding in the tale at all. The book reads smoothly and easily with just the right pacing. The illustrations manage to be modern with a traditional twist. A perfect accompaniment to this story which may or may not be set in the past.
A well-knitted story and one that will read aloud well, this book is appropriate for ages 4-6.
mat_tobin's review
4.0
A wonderful, original tale which has threads of older traditional tales running through it. Babba Zarrah, the village elder and storyteller, has always entertained children with her stories on her voluminous story blanket. Yet when she sees that one of the children needs some socks, she unravels some of it and gifts him with a new pair without him knowing. The more Babba Zarrah looks, the more she sees that everyone in her community needs a piece of her blanket until there is nothing left. Yet when the community find out, they come together to offer a thoughtful something for her too.
As with those great voyage and return tales, there is something cyclical in this story, something rounded and comforting in the tale itself but also in the art and sparsity of the language. It's a lovely tale to read aloud and Odriozola's art is quite different and her characters unique. It may seem to carry only one message but don't worry, children will find plenty of threads of knowledge to unpick from this.
As with those great voyage and return tales, there is something cyclical in this story, something rounded and comforting in the tale itself but also in the art and sparsity of the language. It's a lovely tale to read aloud and Odriozola's art is quite different and her characters unique. It may seem to carry only one message but don't worry, children will find plenty of threads of knowledge to unpick from this.
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