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The Mouse of Amherst
by
A mouse's-eye-view of Emily Dickinson
When a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry! Inspired, Emmaline writes her own first poem and secretly deposits it on E ...more
When a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry! Inspired, Emmaline writes her own first poem and secretly deposits it on E ...more
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Start your review of The Mouse of Amherst
What a sweet little treat I found at the library! A mouse has taken residency at Emily Dickinson's home in Amherst and they immediately become friends. While including events of Emily's real life kids can also see it in a mouse's perspective. The mouse learns that she loves poetry too and that's how the friendship builds.
Quick story with beautiful poetry. Cute pencil sketches. Reading level: 5.5. ...more
Quick story with beautiful poetry. Cute pencil sketches. Reading level: 5.5. ...more
The only way this book could be more adorable is if it were also a stuffed animal.
The main character mouse in question is so flippin' cute, I found myself wishing this book were a stuffed animal, or at least came along with one so you could hug it while you were reading and maybe ask if it was ready for you to turn the page yet.
Wow. It's official. If a book is charming enough, it will turn me into a blithering idiot.
Anyway. Although the delicately expressive line drawings of Claire A. Nivola wou ...more
The main character mouse in question is so flippin' cute, I found myself wishing this book were a stuffed animal, or at least came along with one so you could hug it while you were reading and maybe ask if it was ready for you to turn the page yet.
Wow. It's official. If a book is charming enough, it will turn me into a blithering idiot.
Anyway. Although the delicately expressive line drawings of Claire A. Nivola wou ...more
I love this little book.
It's a children's book, but it captures Emily's spirit better than any biography or essay I've seen. The illustrations are delightful. ...more
It's a children's book, but it captures Emily's spirit better than any biography or essay I've seen. The illustrations are delightful. ...more
What a lovely little book!
Jan 16, 2016
Hope
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrens-lit,
poetry
A modest little book that introduces children to the poetry of Emily Dickinson. I really enjoyed it.
Jul 25, 2020
TheLibraryOfSarah
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
poetry,
childrens-and-middle-grade
I loved this sweet little book, the poetry, and quiet moments shared between Emily and Emmaline
Sep 04, 2016
BookChampions
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-aloud,
children
This is a lovely little book that interweaves some of Dickinson's most famous poems with a few new poems inspired by her. These new poems are "written" by a mouse who becomes a poem while living in the Dickinson home. It's a pretty simple tale, but there is a sophistication to the narrative, as if it was written in the 1800s.
The book kept my four-year old's attention, and it brought up discussions about the nature and origins of poems ("Where do poems come from?" Jude asks. "From the heart," I s ...more
The book kept my four-year old's attention, and it brought up discussions about the nature and origins of poems ("Where do poems come from?" Jude asks. "From the heart," I s ...more
A cute little yarn that introduces Emily Dickinson's life and poetry to young readers through the POV of a mouse named Emmaline who lives in the wainscoting of the poet's Amherst home. Emmaline helps readers puzzle out over a dozen of Dickinson's poems and even writes a few of her own. This charming book with lovely illustrations is short in length, but it's for a little older readers--like Dickinson's poems.
...more
This is a wonderful story about a mouse who befriends Emily Dickinson and is introduced to the magical art of poetry. It's concise, well-written, and incredibly thoughtful. The accompanying illustrations are also so charming. I'd definitely recommend this to a child who is interested in historically-inspired fiction. Appropriate for grades 2-4.
...more
This book, though not very long, is so inspiring! It inspired me to write poetry from age six, and I can quote many of the poems inside it! A great read(even for inexperienced readers; I read it when I was six)!!!
Nov 06, 2018
Juli Anna
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-books,
kidlit
Sweet, but insubstantial.
Adorable - charming - uplifting !!
Jan 16, 2016
Shannon
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Shannon by:
I found it at the H. Elementary Library.
04/15: We all took turns reading this one and enjoyed it.
Amazon Book Description:
A mouse's-eye-view of Emily Dickinson
When a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry! Inspired, Emmaline writes her own first poem and secretly deposits it on Emily's desk. Emily answers with another poe ...more
Amazon Book Description:
A mouse's-eye-view of Emily Dickinson
When a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry! Inspired, Emmaline writes her own first poem and secretly deposits it on Emily's desk. Emily answers with another poe ...more
Update: We just finished this and...it wasn't the greatest. I like some of Emily Dickinson, but her life was pretty sad--she never married, never had children, and lived as a recluse and died at 55. Yikes! The mouse part was cute sometimes, but mostly it was all a little weird. The mouse's heart would beat wildly and she would get dizzy when she started to write poetry and then she would wake up from her trancelike state and realize that she had just written a masterpiece...um? Are you on LSD? :
...more
A sweet little story about a mouse called Emmaline who moves into Emily Dickinson's room and begins to discover her own potential as a poet, fueled and inspired by Emily herself. The two become friends, indirectly, and share their poetic efforts. Delicate drawings by Claire Nivola (who came out this year with a wonderful new picture book of her own) are perfectly suited to the clean, spare, peaceful atmosphere of the book. This is a gentle introduction to Dickinson, with historical detail and ex
...more
Feb 14, 2019
Sandy Brehl
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
concepts,
family,
nature,
language-development,
poetry,
humor,
young-elementary,
teaching-resource,
curiosity,
picture-book
I can't think of a better way to introduce works by Emily Dickinson to young readers than this charming little book, narrated by a mouse, Emmaline. The young rodent is pursuing life away from home and finds a cozy spot in the bedroom woodwork in Emily's house. Although equipped with a notebook among her meager belongings, it is curiosity and the discovery of Emily's remarkably appealing poems that inspires Emmaline to reply in verse.
The framing narrative of this interaction allows readers to le ...more
The framing narrative of this interaction allows readers to le ...more
This was an irritating little book.
The tale of a mouse living in the Dickinson household suddenly finds she has an affinity for poetry and begins writing poems back and forth to Emily Dickinson.
Having not liked Ms. Dickinson's poetry for a long time in years past, thinking that it was too trite and simplistic, this takes me right back to those opinions based on it has been woven into this silly story.
I really don't like this little mouse. ...more
The tale of a mouse living in the Dickinson household suddenly finds she has an affinity for poetry and begins writing poems back and forth to Emily Dickinson.
Having not liked Ms. Dickinson's poetry for a long time in years past, thinking that it was too trite and simplistic, this takes me right back to those opinions based on it has been woven into this silly story.
I really don't like this little mouse. ...more
Aug 09, 2009
Jenny Brown
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ages-8-12,
20xj-classics
Your child will undoubtedly delight in the discovery that the title of this book is a pun: a mouse named Emmaline dwells in the bedroom of a shy and retiring poet named Emily… Emily Dickinson, that is. Emmaline, who narrates, thinks of herself as “nothing more than a crumb gatherer, a cheese nibbler, a mouse-of-little-purpose.” But that was before she met “the great poet of Amherst.”
Full review:
http://www.twentybyjenny.com/812Books... ...more
Full review:
http://www.twentybyjenny.com/812Books... ...more
Emmeline the mouse moves into Emily Dickinson's bedroom. Emily scribbles away on little slips of paper and Emmeline wonders what she is working so hard on. Then a piece of paper falls to the floor and Emmeline finds that she is writing poetry. Emmeline learns she has a knack for poetry herself. Emmeline and Emily correspond through poetry until Lavinia, Emily's sister, finds out that Emily is harboring a mouse in her bedroom. Emmeline is then forced to move out.
Boring. ...more
Boring. ...more
This was a quick read. Perfect for a lunch time.
The main character is a lovely little mouse who moves in with Emily Dickinson and her family. Interesting adventures and poetry ensue.
Well written with prose and poetry. The simple illustrations add greater depth to this short story or novella.
I truly enjoyed it. Not sure people who do not like mice will, but I had pet mice and love the little beings.
The main character is a lovely little mouse who moves in with Emily Dickinson and her family. Interesting adventures and poetry ensue.
Well written with prose and poetry. The simple illustrations add greater depth to this short story or novella.
I truly enjoyed it. Not sure people who do not like mice will, but I had pet mice and love the little beings.
This is a sweet and genuine story about a mouse who comes to live with Emily Dickinson, exploring briefly her life and poetry. I recommend this for more advanced and/or thoughtful readers if reading independently, but this would also be a great read-aloud. Vocabulary, tone, and subject matter are nuanced and might need some guidance. I could see this sparking a bigger conversation about her life and work.
We didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped we would. I read it to my children (boy 8, girl 5), and I ended up editing as I read making the language more understandable to them. Otherwise they were losing interest. Twice they even fell asleep! Err... I guess that's not really a bad thing though, is it?!
...more
Dec 15, 2014
Miss Amanda
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
animals-fantasy-gr-4-6,
animals-fantasy-gr-2-4
slj gr 2-4 60 pgs
Fantasy, mice. Emmaline mouse moves into a mouse hole in Emily Dickinson's room. When she discovers some of Emily's poetry one day, Emmaline discovers that she too possesses a poetic talent!
Included in the story are some of Dickinson's poems and the reader also learns a little bit about Dickinson's life. ...more
Fantasy, mice. Emmaline mouse moves into a mouse hole in Emily Dickinson's room. When she discovers some of Emily's poetry one day, Emmaline discovers that she too possesses a poetic talent!
Included in the story are some of Dickinson's poems and the reader also learns a little bit about Dickinson's life. ...more
This book was so adorable. I read it when I was younger and I loved the way the author captured Emily Dickinson's way of writing and personality. It's good for younger children and older children alike, as it's short but teaches about Emily's life right at the end. This sweet book had delightful illustrations. I'd say it's fab for ages 6+.
...more
The concept is cute and refreshing but I honestly didn’t feel anything. Maybe because I’m not the target market? But I’ve read other children’s books before and however basic its writing still managed to engender some feeling in me. but I did get interested in the epilogue about Emily Dickinson, how she never married and became more and more reclusive until the end of her life.
This book was weird. The images and length imply that it is for younger kids. The sophistication of the language certain does not. I know junior high or high school kids that would struggle with the way this is written. Kind of an interesting idea, but really just an homage to Emily Dickinson.
A cute book that introduces Emily Dickinson, her poetry and home through the eyes and poetry of a mouse to children moving beyond picture books. Smoothly incorporates Dickinson's poetry and conveys something of her character. Nice line illustrations
...more
""The Mouse of Amherst" was an adorable story depicting a piece of Emily Dickinson's life from the point of view of a mouse named Emmaline. It was a very quick read and I enjoyed the fact that the dialogue between Emily and Emmaline was poetry that they wrote to one another.
...more
As someone who was drawn to Emily Dickinson's work when I had to read it for school years ago, I found this book quite charming.
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? I've already read it once before.
Would I recommend it? Yes. ...more
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? I've already read it once before.
Would I recommend it? Yes. ...more
A mouse moves into Emily Dickinson’s bedroom and discovers that she, too, is a poet. This chapter book was an awesome and accessible introduction to Dickinson as well as a cute story in its own right.
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