The Ultimate Visual Guide to Quilting, out of the others mentioned here; (I have most of them), this one is my favorite.

Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! The title has a lot of exclamation points. :0) I'm not sure what it is about the book exactly but it is just a pleasure to read and use.
http://www.amazon.com/Quilts-Complet...9949396&sr=1-1

I would love to gift it to people I'm trying corrupt. I mean, welcome to the world of quilting.

I agree Eleanor Burns has the best books for any beginner or someone who does not have their quilting confidence yet.

I love books...I use the Quilting Bible and the Complete Guide to Quilting...for basic stuff...I want to buy Quilts!Quilts! Quilts! ..the author did a show on The Quilt Show...

Quilter's Complete Guide by Fons & Porter. I have several of the others listed here, but that's my favorite.

She should check the library to see if they carry any of these books, although i refer to them even now, 6 years later!
Eleanor Burns has the clearest written books on quilt patterns i have ever read.

Quilter's Complete Guide by Fons & Porter and the Better Homes & Gardens Complete Guide to Quilting would be my top picks.

Quilter's Complete Guide by Fons & Porter.

This is my favorite too!

The book is neatly organized, yet it shows so many ways to be creative without trying to design your quilts for you. (After, all: Quilting is a way to be creative.)

I agree with
The Quilter's Ultimate Visual Guide, I've given mine to new quilters many times, and they always end up buying there own to keep!!! And it's under $15.00 here.
http://www.amazon.com/Quilters-Ultim.../dp/0875969879

Eleanor Burns books got me really going in quilting. Love them.