Stitched Together by Aimee Reid

Stitched Together Reviews

• 
  Shan

  For the most part, I liked this book. However, I do have two critiques. But first, I'll start with what worked for me:
  1. The emphasis on community. Community is such an important thing to have and be a part of, and this book definitely recognizes that. Additionally, because of that, young readers will definitely be inspired to contribute to their own communities, allowing this book to have a lasting impact and relevance long past the last page.
  2. The creativity of the main character. I thought it was quite smart and interesting to make the main character think about the future of her community. This (subtly) illustrates to young readers that they are capable of making change and they will help shape the future of the world.
  
  Now for what wasn't so great:
  1. The illustrations. My take on the illustrations of this book are purely opinion, I want to make that clear. I like making illustrations have a youthful touch or tone to them, but this book took that too far. Pictures looked messy and unfinished, sometimes chaotic or scattered.
  2. I am unsure if this is completely true, but I feel like quilt making has gone a bit out of style. Unless it's demonstrated from family members to little ones early on, I don't think that quilt making appeals to kids. Sure, there might be some instances where kids love it. Although, I personally believe that it isn't very popular or relevant anymore and therefore this book won't be interesting to as big of an audience.
• 
  Kimberly Bower MLIS (gladeslibrarian)

  NetGalley provided a review copy to me.
  
  This story brought back childhood memories of the quilting bees I went to with my family. I remember going around the quilting frame threading the needles for the quilters. I was so excited when Mrs. Grace said I was old enough to make my first stitches on a quilt in the frame.
  
  This story is told from a young girl's POV. She learns of the history of her faith community through the shared stories expressed in quilted squares. She comes to realize that she is part of the future of her faith community and leans into that future by designing her first quilt square with her grandma's help. The illustrations keep the reader focused on the young girl's viewpoint, as if she were the artist in the story.
  
  This story would be a good starting point to help young students think about their own communities and how they can build the future of that community, whether it be a faith, family, school, or social one.
• 
  Josephine Sorrell

  This sweet book is about a congregation of the Anabaptist faith. I know Baptist but I am not familiar with Anabaptist. The cover and the idea of a group quilt drew me in. What I found inside the covers is a sweet, meaningful book about coming together to celebrate and represent your faith in stitches. The memory quilt represents both the past and future of the church. The church diversity included members who journeyed from other countries to the US and found a loving church family. Both young and old contributed squares to the church quilt.
  
  This is a lovely story with adorable illustrations to match. Now I want my church family to make a quilt.
• 
  The Bookworm Girl Bethany

  NetGalley provided me with a free copy of Stitched Together in exchange for a review.
  
  This book was so sweet. I would certainly recommend this to young readers or parents with young readers. The Christian messages show clearly in the story and the colorful images will surely draw in little readers. I thought they were stunning. This story can show little ones how to use their creativity and kindness for the glory of God.