Picture Books

Ellen’s Broom

A young girl learns a new meaning for freedom during the time of Reconstruction.

Ellen always knew the broom resting above the hearth was special. Before it was legal for her mother and father to officially be married, the broom was what made them a family anyway. But now all former slaves who had already been married in their hearts could register as lawful husband and wife.

When Ellen and her family make the long trip to the courthouse dressed in their best, she brings the broom her parents had jumped so many years before. Even though freedom has come, Ellen knows the old traditions are important too. After Mama and Papa’s names are recorded in the register, Ellen nearly bursts with pride as her parents jump the broom once again.

Ellen is a wonderfully endearing character whose love for her family is brought to life in Daniel Minter’s rich and eye-catching block print illustrations.

2013 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Junior Library Guild Selection
2013 Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year
2013 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
2013 North Carolina Children’s Book Award Nominee

Meet-the-Author of Ellen’s Broom (audio clip of me talking about the book.) Thank you to TeachingBooks.net for creating it.

Educator Guide

Ellen’s Broom

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Book Trailer

A young girl learns a new meaning for freedom during the time of Reconstruction. Ellen always knew the broom resting above the hearth was special. Before it was legal for her mother and father to officially be married, the broom was what made them a family anyway. But now all former slaves who had already…

Picture Books

What readers say:

This award-winning book is adorned with rich, lush illustrations that follow a loving family coming together for a reunion. The sense of pride among the family members is almost palpable as they commemorate all that they have accomplished and have to be grateful for. This is a truly beautiful story on many levels.

— LibraryMom

Going Down Home with Daddy

I LOVE this book and so did my students. I read this story for my school’s Black History Month read-a-thon. All the students asked if I could read it again and some of the teachers were emotional towards the end of the story. Beautiful story!

— Zakiah S Baker

Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations

This was a beautiful story about a beautiful person. Very inspirational.

— Andre Vega

Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon

Great book about a little girl spending the day with her grandmother and baking cinnamon bread together. Zoe, the little girl, tells readers that her grandmother’s hands have a lot of stories to tell, and she wonders what stories her own hands will tell. There’s a recipe for cinnamon bread at the end of the book – definitely worth a try if you like cinnamon bread!

— NC Mom

My Hands Tell a Story

I listened to the author read this book aloud and it was such a delightful experience. The writing and illustration are both so lovely and the story comes to a heartwarming conclusion. Five stars!

— L. Kline

Tiara’s Hat Parade

This story takes place in the reconstruction period after slavery had been abolished. Before this time Ellen’s parents were not allowed to marry, and so they like many others participated in ceremony where they jumped over the broom together into marriage. I really enjoyed this book and it would be a perfect pairing for teaching kids about this time period in American history. Even though the illustrations for this book were honored, I think the story itself is wonderful too. I think an appropriate age range for this book would be 5-7 years old.

— Heather Dawson

Ellen’s Broom

I liked how Kelly has given an historical depiction of slavery from a child’s point of view.

— DSmith

Hope’s Gift

The illustrations are vivid and eye-catching and show great details that move the story’s tension forward as well as show off-stage humorous happenings (see prehistoric frog as the story unfolds). The text makes fun read aloud material with repeating text to get listeners involved with the story.

— Danielle

One More Dino on the Floor

Beautifully illustrated with a story to match. The simplicity and power of the prose makes this book a winner for parents and children. My chest swells with pride every time I read it, just like I felt watching the Million Man March! Well done!

— Dawn Blagrove

One Million Men and Me

My 6-year-old daughter who is Asian American read this book and loved it! It reminded her of her grandmother who tells stories of the past and loves to cook for her. I enjoyed how the recipe is a part of the narrative and we, as readers, can relive Grandma Honey’s legacy by baking the teacakes ourselves. Great story to be shared for both children AND adults.

— Young Haas

Tea Cakes for Tosh