Celebrate Beautiful Blackbird’s Children’s Book Festival (BBCF) with a creative workshop and read-along featuring a 2024 BBCF book, Ellen’s Broom. On Saturday, October 26th the author of Ellen’s Broom, Kelly Starling Lyons, will be joined by the book’s illustrator, Daniel Minter in an afternoon of reading and making! Taking place at Indigo Arts Alliance, located at 60 Cove Street, Portland, ME, this read along will be complimented by a hands-on art making activity supporting the themes of the book. Attendees of the workshop will have an opportunity to decorate their very own broom that they can take home. The workshop is recommended for ages 5 and up. Children must be accompanied by their caregivers throughout the workshop. About the book: Ellen’s Broom is a about 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.