Jeff Brumbeau

Gorgeous pictures. If my eyes were stronger I would have spent at least an hour examining all the details in them. I certainly did enjoy the larger ones, for example the soldiers in their pajamas. And I could see some of the little stories in the panels, for example when the king spends a sleepless fretful night because 'although [he] was very good at being greedy, he was very bad at being mean.' Yes of course this is a fable with a lesson, but it's effective and charming, not preachy.

The Quilt Maker’s Journey tells a beautiful story of generosity and finding happiness.
A girl who lived in a walled city had everything. She lived a charmed life with more riches than she knew what to do with. But with all of her fortune, she still was not happy. After traveling outside the walls that confined her, she found that many were not as fortunate as her. By helping those in need, she finds the happiness and purpose she had been craving.
I thought this was such a charming story. I show more love the fairytale-like wonder that’s portrayed in this book. The vivid pops of color make the illustrations so captivating as well. The moral of the story is thoughtfully conveyed in a way that would be easy for children to understand. Although it is for children, I think adults can learn a strong lesson from the story as well: you don’t have to be rich to be a generous or caring person. Truly a lovely book! show less

Pretty, but twee and incoherent/ illogical.  If everyone" in the walled town is so rich, why are the servants putting turkey legs in their pockets?  Even, why are there servants?   I like the book design, though, with lots of images on each page showing different goings on, or the same scene (as the primary pic) over a passage of time, etc."

I first read this book with my daughter, maybe 10 years ago. I promptly bought copies for everyone I could think of, every time one of the children in the neighborhood had a birthday. Rereading it this morning I am still stunned by it. A good moment to meditate on the essential truth that things won't make me happy. What sends me over the moon is when I get a chance to help someone, thanks to my quirky gifts.