Sweet story about cherished bits of family history. Karla is the current keeper of the quilt, made from bits of fabric that play major roles in the lives of the family members. When little sister arrives, the quilt and associated stories are passed on. Beautifully colorful patches of quilt cover the pages. ( )

In my opinion, this is a great book for children. This shows how family history can all be brought together through one simple thing, a quilt. The quilt is a girls “safety” and it is always there when she cannot sleep to tell her a story. Many students have a quilt that their grandmother may have made for them. Knowing the story behind the quilt may be an interesting thing to look into.

The pages are very show in length so there is not too much information on one page. The illustrations are very bold and colorful and bold. Each page has a different part of the quilt around it. Throughout the story, we learn about each part of the quilt and the meaning it had to the family.

Like most students, a baby brother or sister come into the house at some point. The same happens for the girl in the story. She gives her blanket to her sister so it can tell her all the stories. Many students can relate and realize that having a sibling isn’t a horrible thing.

Mooshka, A Quilt Story by Julie Paschkis is about Karla and her quilt. The quilt has been made from scraps of clothing over the years.

Each patch carries a special memory, giving the Mooshka the quilt the ability to relate the family stories to Karla. But Mooshka goes silent when Karla's baby sister is born.

The story, though, isn't really about magical Mooshka. It's about Karla coming to terms with being an older sister and having to share her space and things with a baby.

Mooshka, A Quilt Story brings to mind a mixture of I'm Going to Grandma's by Mary Ann Hoberman and Nobody Asked ME If I Wanted a Baby Sister by Martha Alexander. ( )

Mooshka, A Quilt Story By Julie Paschkis
ISBN: 9781561456208
I was first attracted to this book because of the word Quilt. The cover is very pretty and I know it can be done by quilting various fabrics together to tell a story.
Karla calls her favorite quilt, Mooshka.
It protected her from scary things. Also the quilt would talk to her: sweet dreams, it said, every night.
This quilt, made by her grandmother stitched it, told her of what the squares meant with a story. Precious stories she could rest her head on and listen to the quilt tell her what the square was about.
One day a new crib was moved in and her new baby sister was in the same room as her. The quilt stopped talking.
Karla then retells all the squares stories to her sister. ( )

Karla’s beloved quilt, named Mooshka, is unlike any other quilt, and not only because the material and design are unique. Mooshka has the ability to talk and tells Karla stories on the nights Karla cannot sleep. All Karla needs to do is place a hand on a patch, or schnitz, and the quilt becomes a storyteller. Karla’s grandmother handpicked each schnitz and told Karla the story behind each as she lovingly pieced Mooshka together. These are the stories that Mooshka recites to Karla late at night.

One day, Karla’s baby sister Hannah moves into Karla’s bedroom. Karla does not seem happy sharing her room, voicing this to Mooshka when the quilt refuses to retell a schnitz story. Mooshka no longer says sweet dreams. One night Hannah, like all babies, begins a crying jag that Karla cannot help but hear. Karla takes Mooshka to the crib hoping the quilt will comfort her baby sister.

I initially read this on a Kindle, which I do not recommended. Many of the illustrations did not display properly and some of the text was out-of-order. The actual print book is excellent. The story is a new way to bring two sisters together when one is not too happy about the other intruding her space. I love this story. Having shared a bedroom with two older sisters, I know how space can be a precious commodity.

The illustrations, also by the author, are bright and cheery. The two girls, Karla and Hannah are adorable. Each page is bright and cheerful, just like Mooshka and her many colors and patterns. The reason for Mooshka becoming silent is a little muddy. Is it because she can only recite stories to Karla or, because it seems, Karla does not want to share her bedroom with Hannah? In any case, a silent Mooshka allows Karla time to consider her sister's needs.

Mooshka is a quilt made of memories with a little magic thrown in. Karla’s grandmother calls each piece a schnitz. A schnitz is a slice or a cut. The schnitz in Mooshka are slices of family history kept alive by passing down the story of each fabric to Karla and then to Hannah. Being equally curious about the name Mooshka, I looked it up in the Urban Dictionary. Mooshka has two definitions, both of which apply to this story. The first definition states mooshka is a term of endearment. The second definition is a small being that is both sweet and adorable. Mooshka seems to be a term a grandmother would call Karla, not the quilt, but it works well for the story.

Mooshka, A Quilt Story is a wonderful bedtime read that will interest young children, especially little girls. However, be careful. If your child reads this story and owns a quit, your little mooshka will want to know the story of each and every schnitz before agreeing to lights out.

Note: book received courtesy of the publisher, Peachtree Publishers.
originally posted at http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2012/02/28/mooshka-a-quilt-story-by-julie-paschkis/ ( )