About the Book

Book: The Barn Quilt
Author: Patti Michels
Genre: Children’s Book
Release Date: November 19, 2019

Farmer Max and Miz Patti have a big red barn on their Maple Shade Farm, but one thing is missing—they need a barn quilt. But what pattern should they hang on the side of their barn? The pineapple quilt, or the corn and beans quilt, or what about a quilt with animals on it? None of them are quite right though. Since it’s Christmas, they wonder what barn quilt would have been just right for the stable where Jesus was born. Work along with their neighbor boy, Dennis, as he helps Farmer Max and Miz Patti decide on and make the perfect barn quilt.

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My Thoughts

The Barn Quilt by Patti Michels is a delightful storybook for children and young readers. The story reflects midwestern farm life, friendship, quilt designs, and faith – and is told in a way that will engage children.

The Barn Quilt begins when Dennis, a young boy new to the neighborhood, drops by for a visit with Miz Patti and Farmer Max. He’s noticed that many barns in the area have a quilt block pattern painted on the side and that is perhaps something that their barn needs.

I loved how, as the three friends begin to explore what specific design might best fit their farm, there’s lots of opportunities for interaction by talking about the various quilt block patterns. As they come up with ideas reflective of their farm and lifestyle, readers could imagine what design might fit their own life. It’s also fun to explore a little about the history of barn quilts and learn of some popular patterns, such as flying geese, windmill, library books, and beehive.

Best of all is the opportunity to talk about the true Christmas message as Dennis, Miz Patti and Farmer Max think about what a quilt block pattern for the stable might have looked like. The book is also beautifully illustrated by Nate Myers in a way that draws readers in as the story unfolds.

The Barn Quilt would make a lovely gift for a child at Christmas or any time of year. Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and Redemption Press. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

Patti Michels has lived in the same rural midwestern county her entire life, thirty-nine of those with her husband. She loves designing her family’s Christmas card and working with senior citizens. At the end of a long day, she enjoys returning to the farm and looking out her kitchen window at her own barn quilt.

More from Patti

Believe it or not, the idea for this children’s book started out as a Christmas card. Each year the Michels family produces their own original Christmas card. This tradition started out simple, in the early 1980’s, as the Michels’ two small daughters helped with the coloring, cutting, and gluing!

Patti Michels and Max, her farmer husband of 39 years, live on a small farm in Southern Illinois. The girls have grown and moved on, and the empty-nesters have joined others in their small farm community, in creating a barn quilt to hang on their barn.

While Max was preparing the 36″ X 36″ wood panel for Patti to paint, Patti was drawing and designing and dreaming up the best barn quilt pattern to display on the barn at Maple Shade Farm. As Patti painted their special barn quilt, a Christmas card idea popped into her head. ”What if the stable where Jesus was born had a barn quilt?”

Patti feels like ideas are a gift from God, as is her husband, who helps her pull off one after another completed “project”. Whether it’s feeding cows, baling hay, making Christmas cards, or creating a barn quilt, they continue to work side by side. This book, based on the real life story of creating the barn quilt, gives kids a glimpse into a small farm family life, while also enjoying and celebrating those things that make Christmas so special, like hot chocolate, cookies and God’s love.