Maya’s Blanket
Written by Monica Brown, illustrated by David Diaz

Publisher’s Summary:
When a little girl’s cherished baby blanket becomes old and worn, it is made into a dress, and over the years it is made into even smaller and smaller items, eventually ending up as a bookmark and inspiring the creation of a book. Inspired by the traditional Yiddish folk song Hob ikh mir a Mantl (I had a little coat). Includes an author’s note and a glossary. Text in English and Spanish.

Primary Source Pairing:
The blanket becomes a dress which becomes a skirt, then a shawl, and on the story goes as the beloved fabric, hand-stitched with butterflies, is repurposed. This story is inspired by the traditional Yiddish Tale “I Had a Little Coat.” For this primary source pairing, analyze a vest pattern originally published in the book The International Encyclopedia of Scientific Tailor Principles in 1885.

Questions for Discussion:

• Describe what you see.
• What do you notice first?
• Describe anything you see on the page besides words, such as images or decorations.
• What was the purpose of this text?
• Who do you think was its audience?
• What can you learn from examining this?
• If someone created this today, what would be different?

Credits:
Book Cover and Summary: Follett
Vest Pattern: The International Encyclopedia of Scientific Tailor Principles, pages 240 and 241