Emily

by Michael Bedard, Barbara Cooney (Illustrator)

A young girl who lives across the street from the reclusive Emily Dickinson gets her chance to meet the poet when her mother is invited to play the piano for Emily. The girl sneaks up to Emily's room and exchanges a small gift for an authentic poem, which is included in the book.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Historical, Biography Memoir

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 1992

About the author

Michael Bedard was born and raised in Toronto. His novels include Stained Glass, A Darker Magic, Painted Devil, and Redwork, which received the Governor General’s Literary Award and the Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year Award for Children. He has also written several acclaimed picture books, including The Clay Ladies, which received the Toronto IODE Book Award. His biography, William Blake: The Gates of Paradise and his picture book Emily attest to his interest in poets and poetry.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely thrift store find, perfect for a snowy day (which this is not!). A young girl has a brief encounter with Emily Dickinson. Quite a lovely story about human connection, neighborliness, and sharing beauty. Cooney's illustrations are really something special in this volume.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars (7/10 hearts). Oh my heart, this is so beautiful that I might cry!! Barbara Cooney’s delicate paintings perfectly illustrate Micheal Bedard’s gorgeous text. Full of simply stunning images and metaphors, with a sweet, dainty style, this little picture book follows a little girl as she enjoys her mother’s music, dried bluebells, whispering snow + her father’s bedtime songs, and finally meets the Myth—reclusive, unknown Emily Dickinson, flitting about all in white and scratching poetry on bits of paper. I cannot even express how breathtaking this story is! Read it and be blown away. Definitely one of the best children’s books ever made.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle story written as Emily herself might have written it. I wish it had been longer. The Afterword is appreciated. This story in itself has poetic touches; I like the comparison of a lily bulb with a person -- both do contain mysteries.

The use of music as the magical link between the yellow house and the new house is inspirational. Music meant so much more back in the days when people had to make their own music. No radios. No record players or phonographs. Just live bands, skill with an instrument, or a lyrical voice. Emily would have appreciated well-played notes.

"Listen to Mother play. She practices and practices a piece, and sometimes a magic happens and it seems the music starts to breathe. It sends a shiver through you. You can't explain it, really; it's a mystery. Well, when words do that, we call it poetry."

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended to add to a secondary library picture book collection, and I was DELIGHTED to figure out in the middle that Emily was Emily Dickenson. I recognized the house when the main character walked in! Before that moment, I was captivated by the poetic imagery of the author. This is just overall a delight to all senses, a precious captured moment both biographical and deep with meaning besides being aesthetically appealing. I'm going to add it, for sure!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short story about the poet, Emily Dickinson, as told from the child next door.

Cleanliness: Mentions sherry.

Ages: 5 - 9

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this children’s book during lunch today, and my life is better for it. It reminded me of how we’re all artists, and our best work is done when we work together.

The book is about poet and flower enthusiast, Emily Dickinson. But the photos are gorgeous, it references music and these lines of prose are pure art themselves:

“There was no one there but winter, all in white.”

“…sometimes a magic happens and it seems the music starts to breathe…when words do that, we call it poetry.”

“The road was full of mud and mirrors where the sky peeked at itself.”

Whatever your art is, share it with the world today. That is at least one very good reason why you’re here. ♥️

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to glance at this book and was intrigued by the title “Emily” while ringing up for a customer. I had to read it of course, without even knowing the content I placed a hold for the Library copy.

We enjoyed it. It’s a picture book based on a snapshot of life of Emily Dickinson. She was according to the book a recluse, but sometimes friendly with children. This is a sweet interpretation where you can share the gifts you have and “bring spring” to other’s hearts.

I’m glad we read it, and now plan to look for more of the author’s work.

[Kellyn Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one sweetest picture books ever. I love the story of Emily Dickenson (and her poems are gorgeous, too, although a little strange sometimes), and seeing it through the eyes of a child makes it twice as magical. :)

~Kellyn Roth, Reveries Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What is poetry?" I asked.
He laid the wilted petals in his palm. "Listen to Mother play. She practices and practices a piece. and sometimes a magic happens and it seems the music starts to breathe. It sends a shiver through you. You can't explain it, really; it's a mystery. Well, when words do that, we call it poetry."
--Emily, Michael Bedard

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was lovely. Barbara Cooney never disappoints with her bright, detailed, and beautiful illustrations. The story was about Emily Dickinson. I didn't know much about her. This is a great introduction for children to her works.

[Samantha Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The flow of the text is almost like silk. The illustrations are perfectly fit for the text. The symbolism of flowers and spring are magical. The mysterious women in the house keeps readers enchanted.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was beautifully written and the illustrations were perfect! It felt like a wonderful way to explain poetry to my 6 year old daughter in a way that really resonated with her. She was captivated by every word.

[Trent Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was astonished at the depth of soul in this book. Delicate and intimate, just like the poetry of Dickinson herself, this book is delightfully moving. I loved it!

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ 3.5 ~

[Lmichelleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we studied Emily Dickinson's poetry this term as a family (with my 7, 10, and 11 year old), it was lovely to have this children's biography about her life. Delightfully written, it makes me wish I could bring over some baked goods, some spring bulbs, and play a piano piece for Miss Dickinson, just for the chance she might come out of hiding! Also, showing the eccentricity of her later life at home in a simple and compassionate way is a perfect jumping off point for a discussion with children about how to interact with those who are different from ourselves.

[Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet book! I've always been fascinated by Emily Dickinson and have felt a strong affinity to her. I've even envied her ability to be an enigmatic hermit.

I love how the little girl in this story got to meet her, and gave her a heartfelt gift. There was so much to appreciate in both the illustrations and the text. It was enjoyable and satisfying. This is a book I'd really like to add to my collection!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story, a fictionalized account of an event in Emily Dickinson's life that tells a bit about the reclusive poet.

The illustrations are beautiful and follow the fairly typical Victorian style that Barbara Cooney seemed to favor.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl and her family move to Amherst, Massachusetts in the mid-1800's. Their neighbors in the house across the street are two sisters, one of whom is a mysterious recluse of whom no one knows much about. One day, the young girl receives a letter from these neighbors, requesting the girl's mother, a pianist, to come and play for them. They go and the young girls meets the mystery sister, Emily. Emily enjoys the music and the young girl gifts her with tulip bulbs. In return, Emily gives the young girls a poem.

This is a fictional story based on the true story of Emily Dickinson who was known to isolate herself at home during her last 25 years of life. Despite this, she was also known for her kindness to children.

I enjoyed this book for how the young girl doesn't let the mystery surrounding her neighbor keep her from showing neighborly kindness.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young neighbor girl visits Emily Dickinson. With delightful oil illustrations by Barbara Cooney, the book does justice to the poetess.

This book was my mothers. She and her mother both loved poetry.

"Mother wore her new silk dress, the one that whispered when she walked...The road was full of mud and mirrors where the sky peeked at itself. The yellow house slipped down behind the hedge as we came near."

"Is that poetry?" I asked. "No, you are poetry. This only tries to be."

"Who has not found the Heaven - below -
Will fail of it above -
For Angels rent the House next ours,
Wherever we remove - "

In the Afterword, the author notes that although Dickinson did not leave her father's property for the last 25 years of her life, she "was always a friend to children...She would often lower gifts of gingerbread to them from her second-floor window in a basket on a string."

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fictionalized account of a family who moves in near Emily Dickinson and the child's interactions with her. It's cute and sweet, but I'd rather have had an actual picture book biography. There are some beautiful descriptions of poetry, though. "Listen to mother play. She practices and practices a piece, and sometimes a magic happens and it seems like the music starts to breathe. It sends a shiver through you. You can't explain it, really; it's a mystery. Well, when words do that, we call it poetry."

Later the little girl asks Dickinson if she's writing poetry and she replies, "No, you are poetry. This only tries to be."

This was fun and sweet, but it could have been so much more.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a little girl moves into a house in Amherst, Massachusetts, she wonders about the reclusive neighbor across the street. When her mother is invited to play the piano for the two sisters, the little girl gets a chance to meet the sister who never leaves her house but is said to make poetry.

This is a little biographical fiction about Emily Dickinson based on one of her poems and how she was known in real life to enjoy visits from children. It's a quiet little story about neighborly friendliness, and little acts of kindness. I love the tone of the story, but wasn't thrilled with the illustration style of the people. Still a good one to talk about showing kindness to others, and a refreshing new twist on how to treat the "strange" neighbor in the community.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a little neighbor girl brings Emily Dickinson the promise of Spring in her pocket, she gets a little poem in return.

Who has not found the Heaven--below--
Will fail of it above--
For Angles rent the House next ours,
Wherever we remove--
Lovingly,
Emily--

This fictional, beautifully illustrated story gives insights into what it might have been like to live across the street from Emily Dickinson in her later years. When Emily asks the little girl's mother to play the piano for her, it gives the girl a chance to see inside the house. She runs into Emily during the little concert and even gets to eat homemade gingerbread from the Dickinson kitchen.

Though she was very timid of strangers, Emily was always a friend to children. ~ Michael Bedard (author)

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a fictitious little girl who lived across the street from Emily Dickinson. It's an interesting way to present a biography. The language is fluid and poetic, very fitting for a book about a poet. Though this story isn't true, similar events did happen with Emily befriending children in the neighborhood in which she chose no longer to venture.

Good for older kid or one-on-one storytimes.

[Josie Krysinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully written book is about Emily Dickenson. It's about a young girl who lives across the street from Emily Dickenson and is given the chance to meet Emily. We are taken on an adventure as the young girl meets a mysterious girl on the stairs. They exchanged gifts, the young girl gave Emily two Lilly bulbs and Emily gave the young girl a poem. What a fun way to introduce the magical thing called poetry to young children.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not very informative about who Emily Dickinson is (in fact, I didn't realize it was about her until someone mentioned it), but as a story in itself I thought it was cute and a good source of entertainment for children, also potentially informative about how to treat 'outsiders'/not everyone who doesn't fit in is scary. I like the air of mystery and unresolved questions, realistic for children that someone we can't explain why some people act the way they do.

[Shannon Nicole Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for the depth of the author's writing that was inspired by his experience at the home of Miss Dickinson in Amherst, Massachusetts. And five stars for the way it honored the very life and nature of Emily. It was all poetic loveliness.

P.S. I cannot wait to visit there myself when I graduate from UMass Amherst in the spring of 2021 with my Writing and Literary Studies degree . . .

[Karina Alvarado · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book because I don't know much about Emily Dickinsin, so it was nice to learn about her life from reading this simple children's book. From reading this book, I learned that Emily was very kind to and cared deeply about others. I also really liked the illustrations. They were very vivid!

[Smurf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very enchanting. I did not understand what it was really about at first. I just knew there a little girl and a mysterious woman across the street who went by Emily. It was interesting because you don't hear of very many books about this. The pictures were colorful and fun to look at. I enjoyed it.

[SamZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really cute idea, but I wish that there was more information about Emily, herself. If this story were entirely fictional, I may have liked it better, but since it was based on an historical figure, I was a little underwhelmed of the representation of said figure.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved how it incorporates an autobiography and fiction styled reading. Interesting story line and how it was about one persons experiences and then was about the life of another. Loved the simple storyline and pictures as it connects well to Emily Dickinson.