Top 10 Children’s Books about Quilts

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

With so many children's books available these days, it can be hard to know the perfect book to get for your favorite quilting family. Sharing our love of quilts with younger generations is so important. And before you can sit a child in front of a sewing machine and teach them to quilt, you can read them books about quilts. That's why we're excited to share our top 10 children's books about quilts! 

Do you know a quilter who is expecting a baby? Have a kid's birthday party coming up? Or do you just want to get a special book for your own child? Click on the links in each book description to buy your own copy for a beloved child in your life.

These books make excellent gifts for baby showers and birthdays. And they're even more thoughtful when paired with a handmade baby quilt! Best of all, they're all beautifully illustrated and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Keep reading to get a peek inside our top 10 children's books, learn about Suzy's and Laura's favorites, and tell us about your favorite quilt themed children's books in the comments! 

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

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The Top 10 Children's Books about Quilts

We've searched high and low, researched in libraries and bookshops, and read more books than you can count to bring you this list of the best children's books about quilts! Each book has stunning illustrations and touching stories, and they can all help foster an early childhood appreciation for quilts and quilting.

Many of the books included on our list use quilts as a metaphor for acceptance, understanding, and friendship. The strong family bonds created when quilts are made and given out of love is also a common theme. These books are heartwarming while teaching valuable lessons!

Starting off with Suzy and Laura's personal favorites, this list includes both board and picture books and has brief descriptions of each book so you can choose the perfect one for the special child in your life.

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

Suzy's favorite!

Cassie's World Quilt follows the main character of famed quilter and artist Faith Ringgold's classic book Tar Beach. Each block of Cassie's quilt shows us a different part of her life, from her apartment and school to the subway and park.

Along the way, the book prompts you to find special things in the pictures while reading, which is perfect for early readers and for building imagination. Suzy says this was one of Desi's favorite books when he was young and he loved to play I Spy while reading it! 

Learn more about Faith Ringgold in the Suzy Quilts "Meet a Fabulous Fiber Artist" series.

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

Laura's favorite!

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt is the sweet story of a ghost who isn't like any of his friends or family. Instead of a light, airy sheet, this ghost is a heavy and colorful quilt. It's hard to fly and hide when you're a quilt ghost, and he is sad about being different until something special happens that only he gets to do. And it's all because he's a quilt!

This book is excellent for children with medical conditions, neurodiverse children, children with learning differences, or any child who feels different from everyone else. The heartwarming story is a reminder that being different is special.

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

If you participated in the Voyage Quilt Sew Along, I Sang You Down from the Stars will look familiar⁠—it was our Week 4 book of the week! This stunningly illustrated book follows a pregnant mother as she gathers gifts for her baby, including making a quilt with loved ones.

Written and illustrated by Indigenous creators, it also emphasizes a belief in many Indigenous communities that babies choose their parents. This book would make the perfect baby shower gift for a quilter!

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

If you asked my one year old daughter to tell you which book on this list was her favorite, she'd definitely say Shapes! This board book is perfect for the earliest of readers, full of colorful shapes that are designed to look like quilts complete with stitching lines.

Graphic designer Shanti Sparrow says that she designed her book to be interesting to both children and adults, and that's even more true for quilters! I received this book as a hand-me-down from another quilter and love that this book has been passed between quilting parents.

NOTE: Since the original publication of this top ten list, Shapes has gone out of print. You can still find it used from time to time or ask about it at your local library! But if you're looking for an a different board book for the youngest readers you know, we highly recommend First Words with Cute Quilted Friends by Wendy Chow.

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

Inspired by the real life intergenerational quilting group the Norwalk Community Quilt Project, The All-Together Quilt tells the story of bonding through quilting while also teaching the basics of quilting.

Young readers will learn the names of key quilting tools, how to cut fabric, how to piece two different blocks, and the many different ways those blocks can be arranged. Perfect for grandparents and other older quilters to share with their young loved ones! 

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

Reuben and the Quilt is the story of an Amish family who work together to make a quilt for auction. Reuben's father has the idea to make a log cabin quilt to raise funds for a friend who needs surgery and the whole family is enlisted to make the quilt.

At first, Reuben is bored and self-conscious about quilting. But he learns to love it, and learns a lesson about compassion when the quilt is stolen and retrieved. This is an excellent choice for anyone interested in teaching children about Amish quilting, or for families with fathers and sons who quilt!  

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

Elmer is a classic. Originally published in 1968, this book is now available both as a picture book and board book. Elmer isn't like the other elephants. Instead of being "elephant-colored," Elmer is a patchwork elephant.

He's a funny elephant, but is sad about being a different color. So one day, Elmer finds berries to roll in and paint himself gray. When he returns to his friends, Elmer learns that being a patchwork elephant isn't all bad, and that all of his friends love him for it.

This book became so popular that it became a series, so if your child loves this book, you can explore many more Elmer stories.

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

There are many books for young readers about the legendary quilters of Gee's Bend. What makes Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend special is that this book tells the broader story Gee's Bend, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s visit to the community.

The story follows Alex, a child visiting Gee's Bend while his mother shops for a quilt. Alex learns all about the Belle, one of the mules that pulled Dr. King's casket after his death. 

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story follows Kanzi whose family recently moved to the United States from Egypt. Kanzi loves the quilt her teita (grandmother) made for her, but at school she feels self-conscious about her culture.

After being bullied by another student, Kanzi's teacher has an excellent idea to teach her class about the importance of learning about other languages and cultures. The students work together to make a paper quilt inspired by Kanzi's quilt!

This book is perfect for children who have immigrated or quilting teachers who may be interested in doing quilt activities with their grade school classes!  

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

The Keeping Quilt is the amazing story of a real quilt made at the turn of the 20th century by a Russian Jewish immigrant family. Patricia's great-grandmother came to this country with little besides her favorite dress and a babushka.

When she grew, her mother made a quilt out of them which was passed down through generations. The book follows those generations, showing traditions that have changed and some that have stayed the same over time. This classic book emphasizes that quilts are an important part of genealogy and reminds quilters of the lives our quilts might have long after we make them.

This book was given to me by a quilter friend when I was pregnant, and it quickly became a personal favorite! 

What are Your Favorite Children's Books about Quilts?

Did you enjoy our roundup of children's books about quilts? Are you interested in future blog posts about middle grade and young adult books about quilts? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to tell us about your favorite children's book about quilts! 

The ultimate guide to the best children's board and picture books about quilts! These books make a great gift for the quilter in your life and help the young people you love most see quilts in new ways. suzyquilts.com #quilting #sewing 

75 thoughts on “Top 10 Children’s Books about Quilts

  1. Mitzie says:

    Thanks for the recommendations. I see there are more children’s quilt books I need to add to my own personal library. ❤️

    Of course, I would be biased towards the 2 books my husband wrote as my personal favorites. They are Just A Quilt? & The Mess.

    Just A Quilt? is about a little boy & his imagination of all the things his quilt is to him. The Mess is about a little girl’s messy room & mommy’s messy quilt room. They agree beautiful things come out of both of their rooms. In mommy’s room, it is quilts & from the little girl’s room, it is her.

    Both were self-published. The illustrator, Kim Sponaugle, did an amazing job capturing the words she was given for each book.

    • Tonya says:

      Those sound lovely. I was on book fair committee every year my kids were young and we would bring in local authors and their books and do signings and readings. It was always the highlight of the event. I miss that my kids are too old now. Lol.

    • Betsy Hughes says:

      I was thinking “Just a Quilt?” should be on this list. I got the book when my quilt guild had y’all do a presentation in Florence AL .

  2. lauren says:

    My local quilt shop has some lovely quilt themed children’s books including “Just a quilt” by Dalen Keys. My little girl loves it 🙂

    • Laura Hopper says:

      That’s very cool that your local quilt shop carries children’s books! Thanks for the recommendation!

    • Laura Hopper says:

      You’re welcome! I can’t handle the cuteness either, there were so many good books to choose from!

  3. Lise Audet says:

    Children’s books are amazing. Such a variety of quality books out there. My favorite books on quilting stories are “The Quilt maker’s Gift” and “The Quilt maker’s Journey” by Jeff Brumbeau. The illustrations are marvellous.

        • Laura Hopper says:

          With so many to choose from, it was impossible for all of the books about quilts to be included! There have been so many truly stellar new children’s books about quilts written in the last few years, and including both classics and new books meant this list was very competitive 🙂

    • Tonya says:

      So funny you recommended these two. They are my favorite from when my kids were little. I would often do a class quilt where the kids would each make a square based on a book. This book was always read to them. They are a permanent addition to my sewing room now as they are still my favs.

    • Peggy Otten says:

      Did you know that there is a book that has quilt patterns from the Quilt Makers Gift? It’s from the same author and has the same beautiful illustrations. I just returned it back to my local libary this past week.

  4. Lindsey says:

    Oh! I couldn’t love this post more, and so many great books! I have to add to the list: The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau. It’s a heart warming folktale about a generous quilt maker and a greedy king. Both my 3 and 6 year olds ask for it over and over. 💗

    • Laura Hopper says:

      That one is very popular in the comments so far! I love that so many kids enjoy it! Thanks for sharing, Lindsey 🙂

      • Joan says:

        I would also recommend The Quiltmaker’s Gift. There are 2 companion quilt pattern books that have the different quilts used in the illustrations of the book. Many years ago, the youth group I led used the book as part of our lesson. Each member created a block from the story, we created a quilt, and then we presented the story as a slideshow and gave the church the quilt to display in the church vestibule. I have also made a special quilt from one of the patterns for my grandson.

        • Laura Hopper says:

          Definitely a good one! In order to do an even split on this list between classic children’s books about quilts and contemporary ones, the list was very competitive. The Quiltmaker’s Gift is so beloved!

  5. Barbara Robson says:

    I have been collecting quilt story books for children for many years and have a list “Once Upon a Quilt” of about 130 books. If anyone wants the pdf list email me at [email protected] andI will send it to you. They are in categories from board books to young adult and everything in between! I will add those I don’t have to my list, thanks!

  6. Nancy says:

    You missed a classic, Tony Johnston’s and Tomie dePaola’s “Quilt Story.” I give a copy with every baby quilt.

    • Laura Hopper says:

      That is a great one! Our list is an even split of classic children’s books about quilts and more recently published ones (because there have been so many in the last five years!), so the list was very competitive. I love that you give a copy of Quilt Story away with every baby quilt you make, that’s a lovely tradition!

    • Suzanne Shepherd says:

      I was going to suggest that one, too, along with The Quiltmaker’s Gift. I love seeing some newer titles I didn’t know about, as well.

  7. Jill Dodds says:

    Another wonderful book … The Pumpkin Blanket by Deborah Turney Zagwyn. A family story with a message about sharing❤️

    • Laura Hopper says:

      Excellent book! We wanted to make sure the books on this list were easily available and it looked like the Pumpkin Blanket was out of print/rare. But it’s a great suggestion for people to look for at their local libraries!

  8. Bridget Pasternak says:

    I love “My Blue Bunny Bubbit” which is technically not a quilt story, but a sewing story where a little girl talks about the bunny her grandma made her and together they make a new friend for her new baby brother. My daughter loves it!

  9. Lilli says:

    Great recommendations! I would like to add The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy—I had it as a child and read it to my son now. A wonderful story about quilting across generations!

  10. Kathy Giebutowski says:

    I love your list and also the suggestion of the Quiltmakers Gift. I gave the boik to each grandchild with a quilt made from one of the patterns. I often go back to it. The illustrations are fabulous.

    • Laura Hopper says:

      A very popular book! I love that you give it to your grandchildren, Kathy, what a lovely tradition!

  11. Sandy Schiff says:

    I live the idea of pairing a book with a baby quilt! I can picture my lives snuggling under the quilt to read the book.
    Thanks for this!
    ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍

  12. Carolyn Stapley says:

    My great niece, is 6. She is showing an interest in sewing. I found 2 little kits to make a unicorn.and a pizza. She spent all day making her unicorn and finished the pizza for her brother. She asked me to save the plastic needle in order to make a doggie bed for her puppy, Beau.
    I was thrilled.
    Please suggest more books.

    • Laura Hopper says:

      Thanks Linda! So glad you enjoyed this! Are you interested in more posts about quilt-themed books in the future? We’ve been thinking about doing a post about middle grade and even young adult books.

  13. Ellen says:

    My grandson loves all the Elmer books! I was, of course, attracted to Elmer’s patchwork body. So much so that I decided to make him an Elmer stuffed animal! He loves it and sleeps with it. When we read Elmer books, the stuffed Elmer is always nearby. Thanks for this list!

    • Laura Hopper says:

      Oh my goodness, I just adore this story! I bet story time is even more special with his homemade Elmer stuffed animal 🙂

  14. Joan says:

    Can’t wait to check these out! FYI, there is a typo for I Sang you down the Stairs…it says “Snag” in your header. 🙂

  15. Nina says:

    What a great list of books. Could you tell me more about that beautiful paperweight you have used to hold the books open? It is so pretty ♥️

    • Laura Hopper says:

      Thanks Nina! That’s actually my very favorite pin cushion by a wonderful small business called The Small Circle. It’s the best!

    • Laura Hopper says:

      You’re welcome! We’re hoping people will want more posts like this–what’s better than quilts and books combined?

  16. Susan says:

    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post!! Thank you ♥️
    I just finished a baby quilt, using a crayon pattern. So I searched for a book of colours. Bit of a tie in.
    My favourite books are children’s books. Doesn’t get any better!

  17. Dorian Traube says:

    Another great one is Coat of Many Colors by the incomparable Dolly Parton. It’s based off her song of the same name.

  18. Liz says:

    I devoured this post! Wrote down so many of the books to put on my bookshelf in the sewing/visiting grandkids room! They keep growing up, and so I would love a post considering books for elementary & middle school readers!

    • Laura Hopper says:

      That makes me so happy! They’re going to love reading their special books with you. It looks like more posts like this will be popular, so hopefully there will be one with books for older kiddos soon!

  19. Karine says:

    Great list! Thank you. I shall share it with all young quilting grandmas around me. I am missing my all-time favourite though : The Quilt, by Ann Jonas. It is a wonderful bed-time story about a quilt made by her parents out of her old clothes inspiring a little girl to eventful dreams.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr3NgppE9rs

  20. Michelle says:

    What pattern is the beautiful quilt on the photos with the little one? I love the grey flannel(?) with pops of colour,

    • Laura Hopper says:

      Thanks, I’m glad you like it! There’s no pattern written for this quilt, I just put it together with HSTs before my baby was born. The gray-ish fabric is Yarn Dyed Essen Linen in black by Robert Kaufman, it’s my favorite fabric on the planet 🙂

  21. Claire says:

    Thank you so much for this list, I hadn’t realised there were so many quilt themed children’s books available. I would love to see more lists of books suitable for older children.

  22. kristina says:

    I am in LOVE with the gray-toned half-square triangle quilt used in some of these pictures! I have been looking for a pattern/color tones like this for a long time. Is there a way I could see the whole quilt? I’m so inspired! Thanks!

    • Laura Hopper says:

      Hi Kristina! I’m so glad you like my quilt! I’ll let you in on a little secret—it’s not actually done yet! I still need to block and bind the quilt. When it’s finished, I’ll share it on my Instagram feed, which is @sonicstitches. The fabrics are by Alison Glass paired with black yarn dyed Essex linen.

  23. Jori says:

    I would like to suggest “Bizzy Bones and the Lost Quilt,” one of 3 Bizzy Bones books by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. (Jacqueline is married to my favorite professor from back in my college days!) Her Bizzy Bones books are adorably illustrated by Stella Ormai.

  24. Debbie Romashko says:

    I would love to find Shapes! Amazon has it for $40. Does anyone know where I can get 2 copies for less than $40? I have two 6 month old granddaughter’s that I would like to get this book for. Thanks!

    • Laura Hopper says:

      Unfortunately, we’ve heard that one is no longer in publication! Used is the best way to go, but seems like they’re getting marked up pretty high. Best of luck!

  25. Melva noakes says:

    Susie do you have all of these books in a set to sell I’m teaching my granddaughter how to quilt and she special needs? Or do I just have to purchase Individually? I love the books I think they’re perfect for children and nannies

  26. Teresa says:

    Thank you for this list. I’m in love with every book and that i can show how this art us reflected in so many cultures.I’m a first year teacher and trying to bridge art, story telling and math into one seamless project. I may just stretch this unit into a 2-3 weeks.

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