The Quilt Maker's Gift
Picture Book Read Aloud
book summary
The quilt maker is an old woman who lives at the top of the mountain. She makes the most beautiful quilts, and travels down the mountain to the city at night to give the quilts away to the poor and homeless people. There is a greedy and powerful king who loves to get presents. He gets so many presents that he owns a lot of things, but he is still not happy, so he keeps searching for that one thing that will make him happy.
The king learns about the quilt maker and wants her to make a quilt for him. The quilt maker does not want to make him a quilt because he is greedy and has too many things. She finally agrees to make him a quilt under one condition. She will add one square to the quilt for each thing the king gives away. The king is going to have to give away enough of his possessions that she can make the full quilt.
The king decides to travel the world giving his things away. The king realizes that giving his things away to people not only made them happy, but it also made him happy. Even though the greedy king has found happiness in making others happy, the quilt maker keeps her promise and gives him a quilt and they remain lifelong friends.
suggested teaching point
On page 11, give students the chance to notice the character’s feelings and to make a prediction.
Despite all of the marvelous gifts the king had received, the king was not happy at all. Why do you think the king was not happy? Make a prediction. What do you think it would take for the king to be happy? Turn to your partner, and share your ideas.
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