Paula's Patches

July 3, 2023
A child’s worries over torn trousers prompt unexpected creativity in Aldeman’s sensitive picture book debut. When Latinx-cued narrator Paula snags one trouser knee en route to school, “I knew I would have to wait for the next batch of hand-me-downs from my cousin.” Afraid that schoolmates, portrayed with varying skin tones, will laugh at the tear, Paula covers it during class, props a food tray over it at lunch, and uses a sweater to cover it. As these efforts progress, Paula notices that a classmate’s backpack is labeled with another person’s name, that a spill stains a friend’s favorite shirt, and that another classmate carries a blanket pieced from baby clothes. Remembering that “Mami kept old, worn clothes and fabric scraps” in the closet, Paula problem-solves, creating homemade patches for the pants—and classmates’ clothes, too. Mendoza’s patterned illustrations lean into a bright palette in this book about “mending, and decorating, and making things our very own.” An author’s note and three “Fun with Fabric” projects conclude. Ages 5–9.

June 1, 2023
Grades K-3 A branch snags and tears Paula's pants as she hurries to school. Money is tight at home, and her clothes are hand-me-downs. For fear of teasing, she hides the tear from other kids all day, though she notices that several classmates are dealing with similar issues. After school, Paula explores her family's box of fabric scraps and old clothing. She cuts out pieces with pictures such as a penguin, a butterfly, and a soccer ball, and then she and her mother stitch the edges, creating unique patches. At circle time the next day, Paula offers the cloth badges to her classmates, saying that patches are "like bandages to cover tears or stains." The children choose their favorites and wear them proudly. Sensitive to children's fear of ridicule, the story shows how a creative solution for one person's problem can have positive ripple effects, helping others as well. The back matter includes instructions for three hands-on projects made with cloth. With expressive drawings and vivid colors, the illustrations convey the characters' emotions clearly throughout this enjoyable picture book.

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