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Item Barcode | Collection | Call Number | Status | Item Holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33607003603548 | New Picture Books | HOWES | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
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Summary
Summary
Told from the perspective of a young girl learning to weave, Woven of the World is a lyrical meditation on the ancient art of weaving and what this beautiful craft can teach us.
As rhythmic as the swish of a loom, and as vibrant as a skein of brightly dyed wool, this lyrical picture book shares the history and practice of weaving through the centuries and around the world, as imagined by a young weaver learning her craft. Her family's weaving practice helps her feel connected to the past and hopeful for the future. It shows her that each of us is a tapestry: a unique, rich, and beautifully interwoven combination of traits and traditions, with a pattern that is still emerging.
At once a celebration of a time-honored art and a meditation on the ways we are interconnected, this artfully woven narrative gathers the threads of weaving as a technical skill, a cultural tradition, and as a metaphor for how our lives are knit together, into a radiantly intertwined whole.
WEAVING AROUND THE WORLD: The vignettes in this book give just a few glimpses into the world's countless weaving traditions. They highlight milestone moments in history, as well as ongoing, contemporary artistry. From the nomadic Fulani of West Africa to the Coastal Salish of North America, and from Uzbekistan to Peru to Egypt, this lush picture book celebrates eight moments in weaving history around the world.
GORGEOUS READ-ALOUD: This lyrical picture book is written in perfect rhyme, making it a satisfying read-aloud. The lush and eye-catching illustrations are filled with an abundance of decorative detail on every page, making it a rewarding re-read.
WEAVING AS A METAPHOR FOR LIFE: When weaving, there is uncertainty about how the pattern will unfold--just as there is uncertainty about how our lives will unfold.
INFORMATIVE BACKMATTER: Back matter includes nonfiction content on the history of weaving, how weaving works, as well as an Author's and Illustrator's Note.
Perfect for:
Parents and grandparents
Teachers and librarians
Fans of weaving or folk arts
Author Notes
Katey Howes is an award-winning children's author and poet. Formerly a physical therapist, she now divides her time between writing, crafting, and raising three ravenous readers. You can usually find Katey under a big tree on a small mountain in eastern Pennsylvania, or get to know her better at www.kateyhowes.com, on Twitter @Kateywrites, or on Instagram @kidlitlove.
Dinara Mirtalipova is an award-winning folk illustrator and designer. Born and raised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, she studied Computer Science, but her true passion was always patterns and illustration. She works and lives in northeast Ohio. Learn more about Dinara at www.mirdinara.com or follow her on Instagram @mirdinara.
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--4--Our lives are woven from the many threads that come to form the tapestry that is our unique story as we live our days. In rhythmic and lyrical language and engaging illustrations, this book takes a historical journey around the globe celebrating the art of weaving. The main text barely hints at the sound of the warp and the weft, the threads and the fabric, while the pictures begin to hint at silk weaving in ancient China, then Egyptian elements, and so on, a journey through the world and time as weaving changes. A young protagonist in each scene slowly develops their own understanding that their life is woven together from the many threads that entwine through family, culture, and history to form their life. This young protagonist appears with an elder weaver in each scene, uniting that part of the story. Back matter provides a country-by-country breakdown of weaving traditions that are further explained. In addition to enlightening readers to the various weaving traditions, illustrations in natural tones featuring a whimsical blue cat connect the various cultures and create a sense of uniqueness in each culture and time that simultaneously connects the humanity of weavers and cultures. VERDICT A wonderful introduction to the variety of weaving traditions, this title would be an ideal way to begin a unit on fiber arts in a classroom, or for readers to examine their own cultural backgrounds to explore their unique origins. Recommended.--John Scott
Publisher's Weekly Review
"Clack. Clack. Swish--pull back." Howes (A Poem Grows Inside You) and Mirtalipova (Leila in Saffron) explore the technology of weaving across space and time. Inventive spreads feature a patient elder and an affectionate child, both portrayed with brown skin, and a playful blue cat alongside a loose chronology of weaving: "I imagine skeins of history/ unfurled across the room--/ wrapping me in warm tradition, crossing borders, spanning years,/ as the clack then swish of loom song/ carries stories to my ears." Foregrounding decorative patterns and rounded human forms, Mirtalipova paints garments and textiles woven by artisans across China, Egypt, the Islamic civilization Al-Andalus, and many more. Meanwhile, the elder teaches the child how to weave, passing "much more than yarn between us/ as the loaded shuttle glides." Paralleling the intricate patterns discussed, Howes's rhythmically woven verse layers poetry and onomatopoeia. The beauty of decoration and embellishment, the multiplicity of practices, and the way knowledge is passed across generations and cultures are all celebrated in this story "of ties that bind us, one and all,/ no matter where we stand." Back matter includes a visual weaving glossary and contextualizes the weaving cultures described. Ages 5--8. Author's agent: Essie White, Storm Literary. Illustrator's agent: Chrystal Falcioni, Magnet Reps. (Feb.)