About The Book
A
Quilt of Wishes is a story
about a tiny orphan in China who is waiting for her parents to arrive to
bring her home. Her mother worries that she could be cold and alone.
She decides to make a quilt for the tiny baby and sends it to her while
they have to wait for the adoption paperwork to be completed. This
quilt takes on a new meaning when it arrives in China. It no longer
just has the purpose of keeping her warm, it now has a new meaning. It
represents the love from her heritage melding with that of the love from
her adoptive family.
This book has many traditions
woven throughout the story. To welcome and celebrate a new life,
there is a tradition in the Northern part of China, to make a Bai Jia
Bei, or “100 Good Wishes Quilt.” Traditionally, 100 squares of fabric
are donated for the quilt by family and friends. Much of the time, the
squares were scraps from their own worn clothing. It is said that the
luck, energy and good wishes of the people who wore these clothes now
surround the child when he/she is wrapped in the quilt. The quilt is
then passed down from generation to generation. Another tradition comes
from an ancient Chinese belief. It is said that an invisible red thread
connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or
circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.
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About The Author
My husband I live in Bellingham,
Washington with our three children. We enjoy spending time as a
family on the water, playing golf, reading, writing and gardening.
I was born and raised in the Northwest. I went to college at
Seattle Pacific University and returned home to Bellingham after
graduation to start my career as a kindergarten teacher. I now stay
at home full time with my children. I have always enjoyed reading
children’s books and I now enjoy spending my free time writing them
This story is so dear to my heart,
because my husband and I adopted our daughter from China in February
of 2004. We were so touched by the kind words and the warm
hospitality of the Chinese people. I think that this story would
appeal to the thousands of people that go to China every year to
bring their daughters home. It has become a tradition amongst the
adoption community to exchange fabric squares with new family
members entering into the adoption process. Thousands of “100
Wishes Quilts” have been made for “our” Chinese daughters. I think
that this story will be a wonderful companion to their quilts. |
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