Review Detail

“The Quilt of Our Memories” by Desiree Acevedo, illustrated by Victor Jaubert, is a story of love and tradition. Every woman in the family, through the generations, stitches a square for the family quilt. Now in the possession of the original quilter’s great-great-grandchild, every woman takes something they love and feel connected to in order to make another square to create the beautiful quilt that passes from person to person.

One woman loves shelling peas, so there is a square with peas on it. Other women love carnations, cornstalk crowns, dogs, reading, seashells, painting, traveling, gardening, crafting, and acting, among other hobbies.

The beauty of the tradition isn’t just about the women who do it, but about the sense of family values and belonging that stem from putting the quilt together piece by piece. When the original quilter’s great-great-grandchild is the next one in line and prepares to add another square, the story grows deeper and the quilt gains even more meaning.

It is a story of happiness and allows one to find beauty in the past and hope for the future.