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Parents' Guide to

Patchwork

By Stephanie Snyder, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Poetic picture book shows kids' lives full of possibility.

Book Matt de la Peña Picture Book 2022
Patchwork Book Cover

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

PATCHWORK is a poetic picture book that helps kids see that their lives don't necessarily go in a straight line. Author Matt de la Peña describes five different children -- a boy, a dancer, a basketball player, a class clown, and a sensitive kid who feels a great deal of empathy -- and expresses that they may grow up to walk paths wildly different from the ones society expects them to walk. For example, the basketball player might grow up to be a poet. Or the class clown could grow up to be a teacher. De la Peña lyrically conveys that our lives are a patchwork, or mixture, of all of our lived experiences, and that no matter what, our stories are beautiful.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This unassuming picture book comes with a powerful message. Patchwork reads like a poem and provides an important life lesson that's best taught when kids are young: There's no one-size-fits-all, and our life stories are full of possibility. Corinna Luyken's simple illustrations and pastel color choices bolster the message but also portray the feelings and emotions described in the book. Because it's written in verse, and because the theme is sophisticated, it may be difficult for young readers to fully comprehend. However, it also has the potential to instill a love of poetry from an early age.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the message in Patchwork. How do you describe yourself now? Where do you see yourself in the future?

  • How is Patchwork different from your favorite storybook? Which type of book do you like better? Why?

  • Which kid in the story are you most like? Why?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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