At Booth Library This Weekend—

Children’s Department To Showcase Quilts At Meet The Authors Event

By Nancy K. Crevier

Newtown residents are invited to a children’s author’s book signing and to the showing of four one-of-a-kind quilts featuring the signatures and artwork of some of the country’s most accomplished children’s authors and illustrators. The program will be Sunday, November 18, in the meeting room of the C.H. Booth Library, from 1 to 3 pm.

Since January, members of local quilting groups and quilting volunteers under the guidance of Peg Jacques and quilting groups the Sew Together Gals and the Scrap Bag Quilters have been stitching together the 50 by 50-inch quilts, known as “Friendship” or “Signature” quilts, that according to Ms Jacques were very popular in the 1930s.

Last fall, C.H. Booth children’s librarian Alana Bennison sent out blank fabric squares to more than 20 authors requesting that they sign the block and return it to the library for inclusion in the children’s author quilts, as a C.H. Booth Library 75th Anniversary project. She was thrilled when nearly every author queried enthusiastically returned the autographed block of material, often adding a bit of artwork as an embellishment. To have authors and illustrators like Steven Kellogg, Billy Steers, Eric Carle, Hans Wilhelm, Patricia Polacco, and Mary Pope Osborne respond was a wonderful coup, Ms Bennison said.

The volunteers met weekly to create the quilt blocks to surround the signature squares. Each author’s signature block is surrounded by a hand-pieced star pattern made of fabrics relating to the author’s works. The finished blocks were sewn together and machine-quilted by members of the Scrap Bag Quilters, resulting in the works of art that will be shown for the first time on November 18. An additional, smaller quilt was made to accommodate the signature square donated by author Beverly Cleary.

Originally intended to be raffled off as a fundraiser for the children’s department, the quilters encouraged the library to instead exhibit the finished pieces, believing that they will serve as a way for children to become aware of books and authors. The quilts will become a permanent display in the children’s department of the C.H. Booth Library.

“The quilts belong with their books; they belong together,” said Ms Bennison.

Four of the authors who donated their signature squares will be in attendance at the November 18 event, and books by Jennifer Thermes, author of When I Was Built and Sam Bennett’s New Shoes; Nancy Tafuri, author of Have You Seen My Duckling and I Love You, Little One; illustrator/author Leonard Everett Fisher; and illustrator/author Paul Meisel will be available for purchase. The authors will sign books at that time.

Refreshments will be served, and registration is not required. The library hopes that the community will take the time to get a close-up look at the very special quilts, meet the authors, and maybe get a jump on holiday shopping for the littlest book lovers on the shopping list.

“A personalized book makes the perfect gift,” reminded Ms Bennison.