MARABELLA'S MOMENT

No one seems to see Marabella, who’s practically invisible to her classmates.

It’s easy for others to ignore the soft-spoken Marabella. But she has a gift: She notices things that others don’t. She even finds beauty in the tiny flowers that are almost choked out by weeds. To bring attention to their plight, she uses chalk to draw a larger-than-life flower on the outdoor wall before school starts. Her classmates call her out for breaking the rules, but her teacher, Miss Tin, recognizes her hidden talent and provides additional colors so she can draw more objects and moments she considers noteworthy. Inspired by her creativity, others join Marabella, and together, they turn a dull, ordinary wall into something beautiful. Even when rain washes away the lovely garden the youngsters have created over the course of a week, Marabella remains hopeful, pointing out other special images in the rain’s aftermath. Her keen sense of observation is rivaled only by her optimistic heart. Delicate, softly colored illustrations perfect for a child’s eyes enhance this charming story with an important message. Marabella has light tan skin and a perky ribbon in her hair; her class is diverse in terms of race and physical ability.

A gentle reminder that small, quiet moments—and individuals—matter.