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68th out of 120 books
—
21 voters
Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems
by
Kristine O'Connell George (Goodreads Author),
Nancy Carpenter
Emma is Jess's little sister . . . and her dilemma. How can one small girl be sweet, funny, imaginative, playful, and affectionate as well as a clinging vine, brat, tattletale, and nuisance�all at the same time? Why is Jess supposed to be a good big sister while Emma doesn't have to be a good little sister? The highlights and low points of this sibling relationship are ins...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
February 22nd 2011
by Clarion Books
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Emma Dilemma is one of those books of poetry that reminds you of what it is like to be a big sister … even if you never were one. The work features 34 chronologically-arranged poems detailing the relationship of Jessica and her little sister, Emma. From embarrassment at soccer games and the grocery store, to bedroom destruction and invasion, to bonding over tragedy, this touching book of poems contains a little bit of everything, encapsulating the special relationship that only happens between...more
Apr 28, 2012
Heidi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
2013-beehive-nominee,
children-0-12,
fiction,
picture-books,
poetry,
juv-6-12,
inspirational
Oh my goodness. That was so cute and sweet. If I weren't on the reference desk, I would be crying. Seriously, I had to hold in the tears. Wow. These poems were perfect length--for me and for lots of kids! Having a sister, I can understand much of the sentiment. Of course, I am the younger sister to the only other girl in our family. And we, like Jessica and Emma, are the same age gap. I don't know or remember all of the annoying/careless/mean/ignorant/unrealized things I did, but I'm pretty sure...more
Nov 27, 2011
Kristel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
ann-arbor-district-library,
picture-book,
juvenile-poetry,
fiction,
sisters,
family,
love,
girl-play,
soccer,
tree-house,
yarn,
cast,
ages-4-to-9,
duck,
pet-rocks,
dress-up
Jessica, a fourth-grader, describes her relationship with her little sister Emma in a series of heart-warming poems. Emma gets into Jessica’s stuff, begs Jessica to read her stories, celebrates her fourth birthday and tries to tag along with Jessica and her best friend, with scary results. These poems don’t employ figurative language—they don’t even rhyme. Yet there is a sense of rhythm to each line and set of lines. The daily interactions between the sisters are rendered quickly and succinctly...more
Told from the point of view of the older sister, these poems show the intricacies of relationships between sisters. Emma can be a very embarrassing little sister, especially at ball games where she is the one dressed in a feather boa and cheering loudly using Jessica’s name. Emma copies everything Jessica does, but her hand also fits perfectly in Jessica’s when they hold hands. Jessica is often the only one who understands what Emma is saying. Emma can be naughty, stealing shoes, scaring people,...more
May 07, 2011
Dolly
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
parents reading with their children
Shelves:
2011,
childrens,
poetry-song-music,
relationships,
fitness-sports,
education-school,
birthday,
favorites
This is a sweet book of poems about a couple of sisters, from the perspective of the big sister. While our girls are a lot closer in age than the two depicted in this book, we saw a lot of common themes between the book and our life. The sibling rivalry, the love, the jealousy, the support, the annoyance, and the adoration all came through loud and clear and resonated within us. We loved the poem about the older sister's field trip to the Natural History museum, as we were about to go on the sam...more
Anyone who has ever had a little sister or been a little sister will identify with Jessica’s voice in this charming book of verse, and those without siblings can get a good understanding of what it’s like from reading these poems. From the ugly, jealous, angry moments to the funny, precious, loving ones, the realm of emotions that come with having a younger sister is here. The poems are brief and descriptive, and accompanied by Nancy Carpenter’s vibrant watercolors, give readers a real sense of...more
This collection of poetry is on the 2012 ALA Children's Notable Book List. It is intended for children ages 5-12(P-I). The poetry in this book depicts the relationship between two sisters from the older sister,Jessica's, point of view.
I enjoyed reading these poems. They don't rhyme or have any rhythm but are full of emotion. I can almost hear the embarassment in Jessica's voice as she describes Emma jumping and screaming in the stands, and the warmth in her voice as she talks about how perfectly...more
I enjoyed reading these poems. They don't rhyme or have any rhythm but are full of emotion. I can almost hear the embarassment in Jessica's voice as she describes Emma jumping and screaming in the stands, and the warmth in her voice as she talks about how perfectly...more
As much as fourth grader Jessica loves her little sister Emma who is three going on four, she sometimes finds it frustrating to deal with her. After all, Emma refuses to respect Jessica's space, strewing a yarn spider web throughout her room and using Jessica's clothing to play dress up. But there are other treasured moments the sisters share such as when Jessica teaches Emma how to blow the paper from a straw or plays games with her. Still, there are times when even loving big sisters need some...more
What a moving poetry! I'm totally moved by the love between sisters. This poetry just looks like a love story between sisters.
Something like that often happen between sisiters or brothers. But in the end, nothing can prevent them from being on good terms as before, what they need is just time. So I love such story, because I have similar experience with it, and I can understand Jessica's feelings.
Also I love these poetries in this book. The author made each small event to the each poetry to ref...more
Something like that often happen between sisiters or brothers. But in the end, nothing can prevent them from being on good terms as before, what they need is just time. So I love such story, because I have similar experience with it, and I can understand Jessica's feelings.
Also I love these poetries in this book. The author made each small event to the each poetry to ref...more
Liked this book very much. Although I never had to deal with having a little sister or a big sister, I'm pretty sure children will be able to relate to this book. It shows the relationship about a big sister and little sister, and the differences they have with one another. It has really good poetry, and rhyming in it. The illustrations are really good, and the colors make them stand out.
An acitivty I would do with the children is that I would have them come up with a drama, in which someone is...more
An acitivty I would do with the children is that I would have them come up with a drama, in which someone is...more
This book most likely appeals to grades first through third. It definitely appeals to big sisters mostly because it is a book of poems through a big sister's point of view. Although I think it could also appeal to little sisters. I chose this book because I am a big sister and I thought this was a very different perspective on nonfiction. Typically I think of nonfiction being a book about facts or history, instead this is a book about a past event that had happened to the author. I enjoyed this...more
I picked this up because of the subtitle and because I recognized the illustrations of Nancy Carpenter, first made known to me in 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore. These poems and pictures do a good job of highlighting the ups and downs of the sister relationship of two young girls. There is a picture of a character in tears, which is always what undoes me, though you could have guessed I'd cry over a sister book anyway. The illustration on the back is my favorite. Sniff, sob.
Jun 21, 2012
Amanda
added it
Audience: This book will probably appeal more to girls, because it is about two sisters. Older siblings will probably find this book more relate-able. Good for readers with short attention spans, as the stories are told through poems.
Appeal: The ups and downs of being a big sister is told through poems. Some are heartfelt and more serious while others are funny. The illustrations are playful and fun and the ideas in the book can be felt on some level with any older sibling relationship.
School li...more
Appeal: The ups and downs of being a big sister is told through poems. Some are heartfelt and more serious while others are funny. The illustrations are playful and fun and the ideas in the book can be felt on some level with any older sibling relationship.
School li...more
A sweet collection of poems told from the perspective of the older sister. What I particularly liked about this collection is that the second half really tells a story. A great selection for reflecting on getting older, responsibility, and family dynamics.
I really liked this one, not because I think it is the best, but because it perfectly captures how I feel about some picture books that I remember from my own childhood.
Picture Books
When I read
my picture books
to Emma,
I feel
as if
I'm visiting
ol...more
I really liked this one, not because I think it is the best, but because it perfectly captures how I feel about some picture books that I remember from my own childhood.
Picture Books
When I read
my picture books
to Emma,
I feel
as if
I'm visiting
ol...more
Presented in verses with fun titles like "Stuff Grownups Say" and "Dracula" the reader gets a glimpse of the big sister/little sister relationship between Jessica and Emma in this book showing the ups and downs of sisterhood--and all brilliantly shared through poems. While not a candidate for storytime, this is a fun title to recommend to a family with sisters who share some of these very typical sibling characteristics. My preschool/early elementary daughters loved it and definitely related to...more
Since this is poetry month, I was looking for new poetry books to read to my second graders. Emma Dilemma will access students' prior knowledge if they have younger siblings who are annoying, yet lovable. I'm sure there will be many text-to-self connections for the students in my classroom! Each poetic "vignette" will be a powerful motivator for students to write their own poetry modeling Kristine O'Connell George! (Authors and poets as Mentors is a powerful writing technique, a la Lucy Calkins)...more
A wonderful story in verse about the ups and downs of a big and little sister. (This is a must read if you have two daughters.)
My favorite poem from this book:
Picture Books
When I read
my picture books
to Emma,
I feel
as if
I'm visiting
old friends.
The accompanying illustration is of the older sister reading a picture book aloud to her sister sleeping beside her.
You'll laugh, you'll cry--it's a wonderful book!
My favorite poem from this book:
Picture Books
When I read
my picture books
to Emma,
I feel
as if
I'm visiting
old friends.
The accompanying illustration is of the older sister reading a picture book aloud to her sister sleeping beside her.
You'll laugh, you'll cry--it's a wonderful book!
Well-written series of poems; they can stand alone but also have a longer arc about being sisters. The illustrations capture the ages of the girls perfectly in their body language and expressions. I loved, loved, loved the poem and matching illustration about the big sister knowing the names of all her little sister's rocks. As a big sister who is raising two sisters, trust me when I tell you that it says it all, right there.
Apr 22, 2013
Shayla
added it
I thought this children's picture book on poems was wonderful. The book shared a connection between sisters and how the older sister takes on the role of being the role model to the little sister. As a future educator, I would have a book talk about the role of being a little or big sibling. The students can shout out what they think being a big brother or little sister means. Possible draw out some concerns and find possible solutions to being a good brother, sister, role model, and so forth. T...more
Finally a book where my son could identify with a female character. The prose was inviting with unexpected humor mixed with tenderness. Both my children count this as their new favorite book. Our favorite poem is "Emma's Hand" describing the experience of siblings holding hands, followed closely be the two about the little sister joinging her big sister in bed. At least in my house, everyone knows to bring their own blanket.
I so wish I could have had a sister! Step-sisters come in close but it doesn't count when they don't live under the same roof. I liked how Jessica (the older sister) showed us the good, the bad, and the in-between in a sisterly relationship. I especially liked when she said that reading picture books to her sister was like visiting old friends. So true! I feel that way reading to my grandbabies!
Audience: Big brothers and sisters, teachers looking for narrative poetry or free verse, Librarians looking for dramatic read alouds
Appeal: The short, free verse poems in this illustrated book add up to a emotional story about sibling relationships. This is a fun, dramatic read aloud that any child with a brother or sister will relate to.
School Library Journal Best Books 2011: Nonfiction
Appeal: The short, free verse poems in this illustrated book add up to a emotional story about sibling relationships. This is a fun, dramatic read aloud that any child with a brother or sister will relate to.
School Library Journal Best Books 2011: Nonfiction
Emma Dilemma is a smart, funny, true-to-life collection of poems that delves into the complicated relationship between sisters. I saw myself and my sister in many of the poems. By the end of the book I was crying (in a good way) and calling my sister. Kristine O'Connell George has great insight into the relationship between sisters!
Sep 14, 2011
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
read-childrens-poetry,
read-goodreads-authors
This could almost have been a short story in verse, as the poems were all narrated from the point of view of Jess, big sister to Emma, who can be a challenge to live with. The relationship issues between the two sisters are very realistically portrayed, presenting both the good and not-so-good things, and the times when Jess likes Emma, and times when she's upset with her. Having a younger sister myself, I could relate. Though the parents remain on the periphery of events most of the time, they...more
Being a big sister isn't easy especially when you have a little sister like Emma. In 14 poems, we discover the hardships of being a big sister and the unconditional love that's required.
What I thought: I loved this collection. I'm a big sister, but my little sister is only two years younger so I never experienced the woes of being a "big" (as in a lot older) sister. What I know about that kind of big sister, I got from books. George's poems expertly capture the relationship between the sisters....more
What I thought: I loved this collection. I'm a big sister, but my little sister is only two years younger so I never experienced the woes of being a "big" (as in a lot older) sister. What I know about that kind of big sister, I got from books. George's poems expertly capture the relationship between the sisters....more
Audience: (Grades PK-3)This book would be great for younger sisters and older sisters. It greatly depicts the relationship between sisters.
Appeal: This book would be great for teachers to use as a lesson on perspectives.
School Library Journal Best Non-fiction 2011
Appeal: This book would be great for teachers to use as a lesson on perspectives.
School Library Journal Best Non-fiction 2011
Genre: Poetry
Copyright: 2011
Thoughts: Series of interelated poems from the big sister's point of view (Emma is the little sister).
Favorite passage:
"I wish grownups would quit saying
we LOOK like sisters...
because I told Emma
we got her at the hardware store."
Copyright: 2011
Thoughts: Series of interelated poems from the big sister's point of view (Emma is the little sister).
Favorite passage:
"I wish grownups would quit saying
we LOOK like sisters...
because I told Emma
we got her at the hardware store."
This is a wonderful story told in verse. It really captures the relationship between sisters beautifully. It made me smile, laugh, and brought a tear to my eye. The pictures are delightful. A great story for big sisters and little sisters everywhere.
This book would be so wonderful to read to any child who is an older sibling. It portrays the up and down relationship of sisters, how they can make you so angry one moment and so full of joy the next. An excellent poetry selection.
This book of poetry (with a story arc) beautifully encapsulates a heartwarming big sister - little sister relationship. It made me teary from nostalgia. I was a big sister to spunky siblings, too. (I suppose I still am...)
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Jun 27, 2012 09:11pm