Jubilee [Hardcover]

Ellen Yeomans (Author), Tim Ladwig (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Text and illustrations depict the fun and celebration of a summertime family gathering in the country.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3–Using a quiet text and muted palette, the first few pages of this picture book depict a natural setting, as readers are invited to walk through the woods and out into the sun. From this point on, most of the action takes place in a clearing, and the sun-filled artwork shows folks of every color joining together for the "Jubilee." The rhythmic text picks up its pace as the hugging, joking, and eating begin. The "Jubilee" is presented as a big family picnic with games, singing, and dancing. The artwork, done in acrylics and watercolor washes, captures the joy of the occasion, and caricature-style people populate the pictures. They swing with the music and dance and play with abandon. Tables overflow with mouthwatering favorites, and children nibble on blueberries, corn, and ice cream. "Jubilee" is not explained in the text, and it may be an unfamiliar concept to many youngsters. If children hear this story without knowing that the term refers to heaven, they will view this as a family reunion, and will feel the happiness of the gathering. However, if they are aware that all of these people are deceased, the book could be very disturbing.–Carolyn Janssen, Children's Learning Center of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (January 29, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802852300
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852304
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #538,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ellen Yeomans hauls herself out of bed way too early every morning to feed sheep, goats, pigs, and calves. As a farmhand for nearby 150-year-old Abbott's farm, she shears sheep, mixes feed, mucks stalls and moves around far too many bales of hay and straw. She also tries out some of her best lines on these barnyard friends. While they seem to offer no editorial advice, the animals do provide a rapt audience. Or perhaps they are just hanging around hoping for another handful of molasses feed. When not working at the farm, Ellen teaches writing courses at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse and writes almost daily. She is the author of picture books: Jubilee (2004) and Lost and Found, Remembering a Sister (2000), and a young adult novel Rubber Houses (2007) from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Additionally, she is the SCBWI Regional Advisor Emeritus for Upstate New York. Ellen has her MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jubilee, April 6, 2005

By 

Susan H. Keeter (syracuse, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jubilee (Hardcover)

This book works beautifully on two levels: it shares the simple joyous experience of a family reunion/picnic and, on a deeper level, if the adult reader chooses, it introduces the child to heaven. The book helps the reader envision a loving, light-filled place that exists beyond life as we know it. Beautiful illustrations, lyrical text. The author should be congratulated for approaching the very difficult idea of "what happens to us after we die" with a very tender hand.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review for Jubilee, May 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Jubilee (Hardcover)

The illustrations for this book appeal to all ages and backgrounds. The text has a wonderful lyrical quality that children enjoy repeating together. It is a lovely depiction of the after-life but can simply be left to the imagination as an account of a huge family reunion.
Children love learning the word , "Jubilee" and chanting it along with the story. Should be a must-read for every church or family picnic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Vision of Heaven, December 7, 2008

By 

Christine M. Irvin (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jubilee (Hardcover)

According to the dust jacket on the book, Jubilee, written by Ellen Yeomans and illustrated by Tim Ladwig, is the author's vision of what Heaven will be like. Heaven is described and depicted as a "picnic and reunion" of family members and friends. The author describes an event of much joy and celebration, complete with a full table of food, games, music, singing and dancing, a time and a place where "all is joy to be."

The book is written in non-rhyming verse, with each stanza ending in the word "Jubilee." The words are descriptive and evoke a feeling of happiness and joy for all.

The vivid illustrations perfectly complement the text, bringing the two together in a harmonious celebration of words and pictures.

What I Like: I like the illustrations. They are bright, colorful, realistic and delightful.

What I Dislike: The only thing I didn't like about the book is the fact that the word Heaven isn't used anywhere in the actual text. It is mentioned only in the blurb on the book's jacket, telling the reader the book is about Heaven.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: The publisher suggests 4-8 as the age group for this book. I think an age group of 6-10 would be more appropriate. 4 stars.

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review