Melena's Jubilee: The Story of a Fresh Start [Paperback]

Elliott (Bird) weaves a contemplative and thought-provokingstory of new beginnings as a brown-skinned girl named Melena wakes upwith a song in my heart. ...Befitting the sense of grace that Melenaclings to, Boyds (Luigi and the Barefoot Races) vibrantmixed-media images evoke the heft and poise of stained glass windows,whether showing Melena and her elders picking garden vegetables or thegirl and her friends perched on the jungle gym, gazing at swirlingclouds. An extensive authors note delves into the historical concept ofjubilee and ties the books messages to grassroots activism, socialjustice, and community self-improvement. Ages 410. (Oct.) Little Melena learns the power of a fresh start... In Melena, Elliott creates a thoughtful, upbeat character whose impulses are convincingly childlike. In between her musings on fresh starts, she plays with her friends (a multiracial group) and helps her grandmother harvest lunch from the garden...Boyd's bright, multimedia illustrations depict a warm, loving family and a cheery urban neighborhood. An author's note provides context on the concept of jubileeforgivenessand tips for readers on making their own fresh starts. This cheerful meditation on starting over features a character that's hard not to love. (Picture book. 4-7) This is a great reminder to children of the joys that kindness, generosity, and grace can bring to you. Instead of forcing her way through the day, Melena considers others first and treats the day as a fresh start, putting all her problems from yesterday behind her. Recommended for one-on-one reading with older pre-readers, or for independent reading for young readers. The seven tips to your own Fresh Start Day are a nice addition, as is the author's note on the significance of the concept of jubilee in African-American history and the importance of debt relief to struggling peoples and nations. Melena awakes to a beautiful day with the feeling of new possibilities in her heart. The day before, ló%