The Quiltmaker’s Gift (Author: Jeff Brumbeau / Illustrator: Gail de Marcken)

In this modern fable, a woman lives up in the mountains of a kingdom making beautiful, magical quilts that she only gives to those in need. When the greedy king of this land, who literally has just about everything else, hears of the quiltmaker’s amazing gifts, he immediately sets out to obtain his own quilt. However, the quiltmaker is not about to give a quilt to a man who so obviously does not need one, even though the king is determined. To find out whether or not the king will ever get a quilt of his own, read “The Quiltmaker’s Gift.”

This fable is an enjoyable read, but the illustrations really set this book apart. The illustrator’s incredibly vibrant use of color and quilting patterns is an unusual and refreshing visual treat.

The Toy Farmer (Author: Andrew T. Pelletier / Illustrator: Scott Nash)

When Jed is rummaging around in the attic and finds an old wooden box with a toy farmer and tractor inside, he has no idea that the little toy farmer will soon turn his bedroom into a field to grow a prize-winning pumpkin. The author’s clever and ambiguous mixing of reality and imagination is reflected in a delightful way by the illustrator, who uses different artistic styles to represent the real and imagined, even on the same page. Find out what happens with the prize pumpkin and what Jed learns about gratitude in “The Toy Farmer.”