Oma’sQuilt by Paulette Bourgeois is a story about a grandmother’s transition to life in a retirement community. Oma lived on Maple street most of her life. Now, all her special belongings are boxed in the basement of her daughter’s home. When grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter (Emily) take a tour of the Forest View Retirement Home they find a cook who prepares meals, rooms with activities, and outdoor gardens full of flowers. But Oma is unhappy; she misses Maple Street. When her belongings are unboxed, Emily suggests making a quilt out of the many fabric items her grandmother saved. The quilt brings back a lifetime of memories and helps Oma feel more at home in her new place. Stéphane Jorisch’s illustrations show both the emotional journey and the settings in which it occurs. Her brush has a gentle touch well suited to the narrative.
This book is read aloud online by
mamamostyn. It’s
also an animated film by NFB.
My Picture Book Talk lesson for this story is here.
