Grandmother's Hope Chest: The Running Rooster
Author: Rebekah Wilson
Publisher: Hope Chest Legacy
For more information or to order: www.hopechestlegacy.com

Grandmother's Hope Chest: The Running Rooster is the first in a series of children's books written specifically for mothers and daughters to enjoy together.  Mrs. Wilson's talent for writing and love of hand-sewing have come together to create this heart warming children's book that masterfully weaves storytelling and sewing instruction into one.

The age-old tradition of preparing a hope chest has largely been lost, but as in the author's first book, The Hope Chest: A Legacy of Love, the reader is educated and thus inspired to re-institute this tradition for their daughters.  In the Grandmother's Hope Chest series, mothers and daughters can not only learn about hope chests, they can also begin preparing items to put aside for the day when the daughter establishes her own home. I especially enjoyed the idea of older women teaching younger women homemaking skills, while sharing words of wisdom and encouragement.

The books in the Grandmother's Hope Chest series are offered as beautiful hardback editions, perfect for enjoying and passing down to future generations.  Each book is full of so much warmth and tradition!  In The Running Rooster, we are introduced to Lucie as she and her family prepares their home for her grandmother to come and live with them.  Lucie is immediately drawn to the shiny wood hope chest, which she soon learns will someday be her very own.  Grandmother lovingly shares the heritage of the hope chest as Lucie enjoys looking through its contents and listening to her grandmother tell of the significance of each item.  Due to her grandmother's own enjoyment of handiwork, Lucie becomes interested and asks if she can learn how to sew too.  Soon Lucie is learning the art of hand-sewing, and the reader is invited to create their first project along with her!

Assuming no prior sewing experience, the author includes clear instructions and notes as the readers progress through the book.  A materials list is provided for you to gather your own supplies, or you may save time by purchasing an assembled kit containing everything you will need for the project from the author.  Written with girls ages 3 - 10 in mind, each book in the Grandmother's Hope Chest series will include sewing projects and stories that encourage mothers and their daughters to build memories that will last a lifetime.

What a gift Mrs. Wilson has provided for mothers and daughters!  Beautifully illustrated by homeschooled student, Priscilla Ector, the story and ideals presented in Grandmother's Hope Chest: The Running Rooster are like a breath of fresh air, making this book and future additions to the series a worthwhile investment for your family.

Making the grade: A+
Cost: $15, for book; $10, for kit
Value for your homeschool dollar: 10
Reviewed by Cindy Prechtel, Editor