Minnie Saves the Day : The Adventures of Minnie [Hardcover]

Melodye Benson Rosales (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Adventures of Minnie Merriweather

When Hester Merriweather's father brings her a doll made especially for her by her grandmother, Hester falls in love with it at once. As a young girl living in the Bronzeville section of Chicago in the 1930s, Hester is delighted to have a doll that looks like her and her friends. She puts her doll, Minnie, in her room, and when night falls, Minnie discovers that Hester's toys come to life to talk and play. Surrounded by a wonderful group of characters, Minnie begins to learn all about life among the toys and the Merriweathers, and when Hester's mother thinks an upcoming party is going to be spoiled, Minnie decides to help out. The result is a delicious story that establishes Minnie Merriweather as a character to cherish. Complete with an afterword that examines aspects of the history and culture of Bronzeville in Hester and Minnie's time, this first book in the Minnie Merriweather series establishes a cast of characters young readers will want to visit again and again.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Hester Merriweather first lays eyes on the brown rag doll her Grandmama has sent her, she knows she is special. Hester has never had a doll that actually looks like her; it's love at first sight. The doll's outfit is made from Hester's father's boyhood clothes, and her soft brown skin was made from the dress worn by Hester's great-great grandmother when she was stolen from her village in Africa and brought to America. Neither Hester nor Minnie the doll has any idea what adventures are in store for them, until the love of "really-for-real folks" brings out the magic in Minnie. Late at night she learns the rules and lessons of the make-believe world from such characters as Scruffy the rhyming rabbit, Waddle Waddle the wooden duck, and Prima Donna, the snooty but lovely "looking" (not "playing") doll. It's not long before Minnie finds her voice and her place among the others--as well as a way to save the day for Hester and her family!

Set in Chicago's Bronzeville community in the 1930s, Melodye Benson Rosales's tale incorporates historical elements that will intrigue readers young and old. She also includes a section called "Chocolate-Covered Memories: A Snapshot of Chicago's African-American History," with photos and carefully researched details from the era, as well as a recipe for Mama's butter pound cake. Rosales's colorful illustrations feature 1930's fashions, Ivory Snowflakes soap, and the ever-cheerful face of Minnie. More Adventures of Minnie to come... (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

From the illustrator of the American Girls' Addy series comes this Depression-era tale, the first in The Adventures of Minnie series set in Chicago's celebrated African-American community of Bronzeville. Taking a cue from the format and design of the Addy books, this volume sets the text on a cream-colored background, introduces the Merriweathers with cameo portraits and ends with a fascinating appendix, "Chocolate-Covered Memories," which goes into further detail about the Great Migration and the significance of Bronzeville. The titular Minnie, a rag doll made for Hester Merriweather by her Grandmama Alfie, moves easily between the world of "really-for-real folks" and an enchanted existence populated by Hester's other toys. Rosales's painterly full-page and spot illustrations effectively delineate the two landscapes, and the sepia tones of her portraits radiate the warmth of beloved family snapshots. Minnie here comes to the rescue by rallying the toys and secretly baking a butter pound cake for Hester's harried mother on the day of a special dinner. But the adventure takes a back seat to Rosales's moving evocation of the African-American experience 70 years ago. In one particularly poignant passage, she describes Hester's reaction to her grandmother's gift: "Hester kept staring at the doll's face, gently touching its hair. She had never seen a colored doll before." The author skillfully weaves in prevailing attitudes of the day from a safe distance via the haughty porcelain Prima Donna doll, envious of Minnie's new status as "favorite." A glimpse of history with reverberations aplenty for modern readers. Ages 6-9.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown; 1 edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 032111583X
• ISBN-13: 978-0316756051
• ASIN: 0316756059
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,793,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sugarpiepress.com is the author/illustrator of this book ..., November 27, 2001

By 

"sugarpiepress" (SugarPie Press Dolls) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minnie Saves the Day : The Adventures of Minnie (Hardcover)

My mother and her sisters were born in Bronzeville (Chicago, IL) in the early 1920s. My maternal Grandfather came to Chicago (first generation Great Migration) in 1918 from Prentiss, Mississippi and my maternal Grandmother came to Chicago (first generation through Ellis Island) in 1919 from Coleyville, Jamaica. I developed this children's series to reflect my mother's and our family's history, that part of Chicago's
history which has been sparsely documented...and often, misunderstood. As a Biracial child growing up in the 50s and 60s, there were many times I found it difficult to identify with any one group, and more times than not, seemed to blend into them all. Perhaps that is why I decided to bridge this gap of cultural and racial misnomers with books about African-Americans. Through this series, The Adventures of Minnie, I hope everyone will come to relive the magic and frolick with its protagonist, a lively and spirited character who, though she is a rag doll, imbues the essence and charm of "childhood". Surrounded by toys of various forms and personalities---the stories and characters are limitless because we venture into a world that allows us to experience the wonders of our
imagination...and travel to a special place...through the many adventures Minnie finds herself a part of.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful mix of fantasy and history, August 17, 2003

By 

L. L. Petersen (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minnie Saves the Day : The Adventures of Minnie (Hardcover)

I picked this book up because it reminded me of the Raggedy Ann and Andy books. (I enjoy American children's fantasy literature from the first half of the 20th century.) Ms. Rosales' book is absolutely charming. It is filled with magic, the innocence of childhood and a fascinating bit of history. A difficult combination but very well done. When will Minnie's next adventure be available?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Myshelf.Com Book Reviewer, August 31, 2001

By 

Suzie Housley (Oak Ridge, Tn United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minnie Saves the Day : The Adventures of Minnie (Hardcover)

Hester Merriweather is delighted when her father returns home from a trip with a surprise gift from her Grandmama. Her exceptional gift is a lovely rag doll that resembles Hester. Learning of the history behind the creation of the doll only heightens the love she feels for her treasured companion. Naming the doll Minnie she is unaware of just how "special" Minnie is, nor what she capable of performing.

When Hester's mother burns her famous butter pound cake it is up to Minnie and Hester's other forgotten toys to save the day. When Hester falls asleep Minnie comes to life and makes the decision to make another duplicate cake to replace the one that was ruined. Imagine Hester's surprise and joy when she awakens to the tantalizing aromas of a fresh butter pound cake.

Children of all ages will be captivated by the magic that radiates from Melodye Benson Rosales's, MINNIE SAVES THE DAY. The beautiful illustrated graphics gives life to the charming cast of descriptive characters. Adults will also benefit by receiving an informative history lesson found in the back of the novel that depicts the hardships people faced during The Great Depression. As an added bonus, owners will receive a delicious butter pound cake recipe that will be cherished and reused for generations to come.