A New Coat for Anna (Dragonfly Books)
 | author: Harriet Ziefert rating:  asin: 0394898613 binding: Paperback list price: $6.99 USD amazon price: $6.99 USD |
Illus. in full color. "A fresh and moving story of a mother's dedication to acquire a coat for her daughter in post-World War II hard times. Anna's mother decides to trade the few valuables she has left for wool and for the services of a spinner, a weaver, and a tailor. Lobel's pictures do a tremendous job of evoking the period. Insightful and informative, this may make children consider how precious the ordinary can become in times of turmoil."--(starred) Booklist.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
 | author: Nancy Willard rating:  asin: 0590473298 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.95 USD amazon price: $16.95 |
The Quiltmaker's Gift
 | author: Jeff Brumbeau rating:  asin: 0439309107 binding: Hardcover list price: $17.95 USD amazon price: $12.21 USD |
The Quiltmaker's Gift celebrates the quilting tradition, the value of generosity, and the spirit of community in a beautiful and touching fable for our times. This richly illustrated picture book celebrates the joy of giving and gently emphasizes the age-old truth that material wealth does not necessarily buy happiness. The Quiltmaker's Gift is a heartwarming children's fable, a celebration of quilters and quilting, and a challenging adult parable all wrapped into one.
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat (Caldecott Medal Book)
 | author: Simms Taback rating: asin: 0670878553 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.99 USD amazon price: $11.55 USD |
When Joseph's favorite overcoat gets old and worn, he makes a jacket out of it. When the jacket is more patches than jacket, Joseph turns it into a vest. When the vest's number is up, Joseph makes a scarf. This thrifty industry continues until there's nothing left of the original garment. But clever Joseph manages to make something out of nothing!
Different Like Coco
I have mixed feelings about this book. Laurel (then age 9) picked it out and was fascinated by the story of Coco's life, how she wasn't "shapely" and created a whole new style that was "so unpredictable and simple." We love to read books about women who are different and became famous for their original ideas. My hesitation in recommending this book has to do with the body image she promotes.... those who are overweight may not enjoy this book so much.
 | rating:  asin: 0763625485 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.99 USD amazon price: $11.55 USD |
This picture-book biography of Coco Chanel, now an international fashion and culture icon, shows just how far a person can come with a little spunk and a lot of determination.
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel was always different. And she vowed to prove that being different was an advantage! Poor, skinny, and orphaned, Coco stubbornly believed that she was as good as the wealthier girls of Paris. Tapping into her creativity and her sewing skills, she began making clothes that suited her (and her pocketbook) - and soon a new generation of independent working women craved her sleek, comfortable, and practical designs.
A Cloak For The Dreamer (Brainy Day Books)
A story of a father who responds with love and understanding to his son who does not with to become a tailor like his father and 2 brothers. There's some geometry and sewing instruction at the end, but we skipped that part, and enjoyed the story over and over.
 | author: Aileen Friedman rating: asin: 0590489879 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.95 USD amazon price: $11.53 USD |
Spinner's Gift, The
The queen says, "I must have a gown unlike any in this land or the next," which sends the seamstress looking for the finest cloth, which sends the tailor for the finest thread.... this is neat story about how a dress is made and how it's uses can change over the year. Great illustrations.
 | author: G. Radley P. Miglio rating:  asin: 1558583254 binding: Hardcover list price: $14.95 USD amazon price: $14.95 |
Relates how the queen's beautiful dress eventually became a quilt for her baby granddaughter.
