From a Newbery Medal-winning author and a New York Times bestselling illustrator comes a deeply moving ode to the complexity and uniqueness of every child.

In profound, uplifting verse and sumptuous artwork, beloved creators Matt de la Peña and Corinna Luyken explore the endless possibilities each child contains: A young dancer may grow into a computer coder; a basketball player might become a poet; a class clown may one day serve as an inspiring teacher; and today’s quiet empath might be tomorrow’s great leader. Here's a profound and uplifting new classic with an empowering message for readers of all ages: Your story is still being written.

Praise for Patchwork:
A New York Times Best Children’s Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
A Kids' Indie Next List Pick
A NCTE Notable Poetry Book

“In beautiful verse with artwork to match, this picture book explores the unexpected ways children might grow into themselves.” —TODAY.com

“The call to revel in the glorious patchwork that is 'us' blazes forth from this paean of acceptance.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Celebrates the potential found in every child . . . An apt and inspiring message, beautifully rendered.” —Booklist

“An exultant picture book salute to kids who are a little different . . . De la Peña is at his compassionate best.” —Shelf Awareness

“The pastel spongework patterns that Luyken overlays on these portraits of children aptly evoke de la Peña’s liberating theme: We are not indelibly drawn at birth; our identities shift and blend and bloom.” —The New York Times Book Review

“A poetic ode to possibility that’s perfect for readers who love de la Peña’s lyricism and Luyken’s effortlessly impressionistic art.” —BookPage

“Celebrates [kids'] capacity to explore and change . . . conveying the heartening idea that lives of meaning emerge . . . from 'mismatched scraps accumulated over time/ and stitched together/ into a kind of patchwork.' ” —Publishers Weekly

“A celebration of children and what they may become as successful adults.” —School Library Journal

“Gentle and affirming.” —The Horn Book

“This beautiful picture book depicts the passage of time in a sort of poem—it’s a true masterpiece.” —Brightly

“A beautifully illustrated story of a child exploring self-identity.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune

Matt de la Peña is the Newbery Medal–winning author of Last Stop on Market Street. He is also the author of the award-winning picture books Carmela Full of Wishes, Love, and A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis, and seven critically acclaimed young adult novels. Matt teaches creative writing and visits schools and colleges throughout the country. You can visit Matt at mattdelapena.com, or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @mattdelapena. View titles by Matt de la Peña

Corinna Luyken is the author-illustrator of Abc and You and Me; The Tree in Me (an NCTE Notable Poetry Book and Indie Bestseller); My Heart (A New York Times Best Seller); and The Book of Mistakes (which The Wall Street Journal called “sublime”). She is also the illustrator of In the Dark (Aug 2023) and Nothing in Common, both written by Kate Hoefler; Patchwork (A New York Times and Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2022), written by Matt de la Peña; Something Good and Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse, both written by Marcy Campbell; and Weird Little Robots, written by Carolyn Crimi. She was raised in Oregon, California, and Hawaii; and studied dance improvisation, poetry, and printmaking at Middlebury College in Vermont. She now lives in Western Washington, near the Salish Sea, where she also likes to dig in the dirt, surf, and read with a cat (or two) on her lap. View titles by Corinna Luyken

Discussion Guide for Patchwork

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.

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Discussion Guide for Patchwork

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.