THE CANADA GEESE QUILT

Set in Vermont during WW II, a quiet, well-shaped story about Ariel, 10, coming to terms with changes in her aging grandmother. Though Grandma is Ariel's special friend, Ariel doesn't want to help her sew a quilt for the new baby; Ariel hates to sew, but--artistically gifted--she agrees to design a new pattern for it. Then Grandma has a stroke; distressed by her changed face and abilities, Ariel at first avoids her but eventually realizes that she may be able to counter Grandma's depression. She offers her help, and, together, they finish the quilt. The author's first book, this nice portrait of a closely united family is clearly and simply told. More showing and less telling would have added subtlety, especially to the characterizations, but Kinsey-Warnock does get period details well (though ""Yuck!"" belongs to a later decade). Unusually attractive, small format with many soft, full-page drawings; wisely, the beautifully described quilts are not illustrated.