Poppy’s Family Patterns

A mother and daughter, portrayed with brown skin, share stories of those they love in a conversational narrative that stitches together family history and repurposed swatches. When young Poppy accidentally rips her stuffed bunny’s dress, Mom opens the old trunk in her sewing room, which contains patterned scraps from outworn garments, each one special. Together, the two recall family members and their favorite activities. Paisley represents an old tie once belonging to Granddad, who still loves to dress up; a plaid bit of sundress was worn by Nana, a keen gardener; and polka-dotted lace that captures “a magical day” when Poppy’s parents were married. As Poppy’s mom finds a fitting use for the scraps, digital illustrations in a saturated palette employ collage-style elements, supplying a paper-doll vibe to a moving work that attires the present with the past. A pattern library and author’s note conclude. Ages 4–8. (June)