The Weaver
Kindergarten-Grade 2—An industrious girl in a red dress sits high above the earth on a cloud with her pet cat. She watches the world and sings while she spins thread "from trails of shooting stars, white clouds, and spiderwebs hung with dew." She uses "the colors of the morning" to dye the thread and begins to weave. As the sun moves across the sky, the girl watches and weaves what she observes into the cloth on her loom. Below, children run and play, families celebrate birthdays, and parents cuddle babies. The child records smiles and hugs, laughter and kisses, creating "a cloth of friendships." She shows how lives are intertwined, "held together like vines." At sunset, she lifts her handiwork from the loom and dances across the heavens to spread the protective cloth over the world and then dances home where her own loving family greets her with open arms. The fanciful illustrations reflect the story's sense of celebration, portraying children, their families, and friends sharing small but significant moments in a kaleidoscope of springtime colors. Tiny characters of all nationalities enjoy life in a sun-drenched landscape while the gentle weaver and her adorable gray kitten watch from above. This dreamy story offers a reassuring message of love and security.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.