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Edward the Emu: A Wonderful Funny Picture Book for Children (Ages 4-8) About Being Yourself
Sheena Knowles's upbeat, rhyming text and Rod Clement's expressive illustrations are sure to make readers laugh out loud. Over 100 5-star reviewers "A wonderful book with a wonderful be yourself!"
"If you buy one book for sheer fun, there's no question it should be this one." — San Diego Union Tribune Tired of his life as an emu, Edward decides to try being something else for a change. He tries swimming with the seals, he spends a day lounging with the lions, and even slithers with the snakes. But Edward soon discovers that being an emu may be the best thing after all. This picture book is an excellent choice to share in the classroom or at home—both adults and kids will laugh at and sympathize with Edward the Emu.
"If you buy one book for sheer fun, there's no question it should be this one." — San Diego Union Tribune Tired of his life as an emu, Edward decides to try being something else for a change. He tries swimming with the seals, he spends a day lounging with the lions, and even slithers with the snakes. But Edward soon discovers that being an emu may be the best thing after all. This picture book is an excellent choice to share in the classroom or at home—both adults and kids will laugh at and sympathize with Edward the Emu.
32 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 1990
8 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
January 18, 2024
just watched a stunning youtube video by moon! called, A beginner’s guide to Critical Literary Analysis: https://youtu.be/qf6RCtDeK4g?si=BEmpJ... where she reads and breaks down this story for her viewers and wow i am immediately going to buy a copy of each for my friends toddlers because what a beautiful message in the story for all kids; but especially multiracial or, as moon! says in her video, queer kids in exploring themes of identity and acceptance and being loved and liked for exactly who you are.
April 6, 2022
I bought these for my best friends kiddo, and it came up on Goodreads because it's linked to my Amazon account, asking me to rate it lol. So I might as well.
It's a great book for toddlers and young kids alike, fun rhyming, and great picture illustrations.
Edward tries out being a few other animals at the Zoo, a Lion, a Snake, a Seal etc... but he finds the best thing of all is just being himself, Edward the Emu. Great little message.
It's a great book for toddlers and young kids alike, fun rhyming, and great picture illustrations.
Edward tries out being a few other animals at the Zoo, a Lion, a Snake, a Seal etc... but he finds the best thing of all is just being himself, Edward the Emu. Great little message.
March 23, 2016
Pretty good story, but the illustrations scared me (actually, it's only the emu drawings). lol!
October 2, 2012
Edward the Emu is a book that teaches kids to be comfortable with who they are.
It tells the story of an Emu named Edward who keeps wanting to be other animals, claiming they are the best. He goes and experiences life as all the different beasts, but eventually finds out being an emu is great too.
It tells the story of an Emu named Edward who keeps wanting to be other animals, claiming they are the best. He goes and experiences life as all the different beasts, but eventually finds out being an emu is great too.
April 29, 2016
Poor Edward. He doesn't think he gets any attention at the zoo, so he decides to become a different animal. But after each day, a tourist comes along and mentions that the next animal is better - until Edward decides being an emu isn't that bad. Especially when he discovers he's been replaced! Though not my usual taste in illustrations, with lots of white space and just the animal, they are quite well done.
Edit: I just read this book for a 3-6 year old programme, and they loved it! We tried to guess where Edward was going to next and what he would look like (and sound like) as each different animal. It was mostly boys, so the "romance" at the end went over their heads, though! ;)
Edit: I just read this book for a 3-6 year old programme, and they loved it! We tried to guess where Edward was going to next and what he would look like (and sound like) as each different animal. It was mostly boys, so the "romance" at the end went over their heads, though! ;)
February 11, 2008
favorite of mine, which is good since I read it so much!
November 20, 2013
This one gets 5 stars because its the first actual book Ella truly listened to all the way through. She loved it. Being a dad is awesome.
November 29, 2016
Definitely a gorgeous Australian book. Edward the Emu introduces kids to a few animals at the zoo and show the importance of being yourself.
September 28, 2017
Note: this is not my review but the review of my daughter who can't have her own goodreads but does love herself a book! Therefore I will be writing them for her. She is currently 6 months old.
We LIKE this one! Excellent book, particularly the snakes. Mom needs to work on her Australian accent though. We greatly enjoy the dramatic TENSION at the end where it seems like Edward has been (gasp) REPLACED!!!
We LIKE this one! Excellent book, particularly the snakes. Mom needs to work on her Australian accent though. We greatly enjoy the dramatic TENSION at the end where it seems like Edward has been (gasp) REPLACED!!!
August 14, 2017
Everyone in storytime loved listening to this book!
February 6, 2025
Banger
August 13, 2025
You can't be everyone's favourite.
But you are definitely someone's favourite.
But you are definitely someone's favourite.
July 23, 2024
Un llibre infantil pero casi ploro xd
September 2, 2024
why does this book kinda slaps? go kid’s lit
August 29, 2017
Lots of fun! I think it would work best with a zoo theme.
March 6, 2017
I loved the pictures especially in this book. It is also a great book for discussing the issue of being comfortable with who we are and not wishing we were someone else.
November 20, 2018
I absolutely adored this book. I thought it took a light-hearted point-of-view on trying to be something you're not. The story of Edward the Emu is told as he strives to be one of the favorite animals in the zoo. He tries swimming with the seals, slithering with the snakes and even roaring with the lions. One day he hears a man say that Emus are the best thing at the zoo and that prompts Edward to go back to his original cage. Upon his arrival, a new Emu is there named Edwina. They become fast friends and Edward is finally confident and comfortable in his own skin!
This book is a fun way to introduce different animals to kids and the different habitats they live in. It would also work to teach kids that it is okay to be yourself. The simplistic illustrations in this book work cohesively with the main idea in order to produce a piece that is both heart-warming, and visually appealing. I like how the pages contain whitespace and there is no background to the drawings. I think this puts a focus on what is being done and not on the actions of the other animals. The illustrator does a great job adding texture to the animals, making them look more realistic.
Making a rhyme scheme throughout the book gave reading it a lyrical tone to it. This makes a fun read aloud for the children. It also helps kids comprehend more words, as they are likely able to predict or remember the rhyming words. Overall, this book is essential in the classroom because it could be utilized in so many different ways.
This book is a fun way to introduce different animals to kids and the different habitats they live in. It would also work to teach kids that it is okay to be yourself. The simplistic illustrations in this book work cohesively with the main idea in order to produce a piece that is both heart-warming, and visually appealing. I like how the pages contain whitespace and there is no background to the drawings. I think this puts a focus on what is being done and not on the actions of the other animals. The illustrator does a great job adding texture to the animals, making them look more realistic.
Making a rhyme scheme throughout the book gave reading it a lyrical tone to it. This makes a fun read aloud for the children. It also helps kids comprehend more words, as they are likely able to predict or remember the rhyming words. Overall, this book is essential in the classroom because it could be utilized in so many different ways.
December 15, 2023
Mangsir 29, 2080, Friday
Identity, acceptance and belonging
"Edward the Emu" is a delightful children's book written by Sheena Knowles. The story revolves around Edward, an emu who becomes bored with his life at the zoo and decides to try being someone else for a change. Throughout the book, Edward embarks on a series of amusing and entertaining adventures as he tries to imitate other animals in the zoo.
The narrative is filled with humor, vibrant illustrations, and a valuable lesson about self-acceptance. Children will be captivated by Edward's journey of self-discovery and the charming characters he encounters along the way. Sheena Knowles' playful writing style and Rod Clement's engaging illustrations combine to create a memorable and enjoyable reading experience for young audiences. "Edward the Emu" is not only entertaining but also imparts a positive message about embracing one's uniqueness.
Identity, acceptance and belonging
"Edward the Emu" is a delightful children's book written by Sheena Knowles. The story revolves around Edward, an emu who becomes bored with his life at the zoo and decides to try being someone else for a change. Throughout the book, Edward embarks on a series of amusing and entertaining adventures as he tries to imitate other animals in the zoo.
The narrative is filled with humor, vibrant illustrations, and a valuable lesson about self-acceptance. Children will be captivated by Edward's journey of self-discovery and the charming characters he encounters along the way. Sheena Knowles' playful writing style and Rod Clement's engaging illustrations combine to create a memorable and enjoyable reading experience for young audiences. "Edward the Emu" is not only entertaining but also imparts a positive message about embracing one's uniqueness.
February 11, 2025
An emu named Edward has an identity crisis and decides to be other animals at the zoo. Will he learn to love himself?
Moral: Be proud of who you are. Somebody will appreciate you.
Length: This is the perfect balance between pictures and words. It’s easily read in one sitting but has sufficient depth and clarity.
Favorite Line: “The seals are best, anybody can tell, so tomorrow I’ll be a seal as well.”
Overall impression: Edward wants to be cool, and don’t we all? So he tries to fit in with the cool kids - seals, snakes, lions, etc. But what he discovers is that some people think emus are cool too. I adored this book. The poetry’s cadence is easily replicated and the artist’s renderings of an emu pretending to be other animals are great. And there’s even a surprise ending that I won’t ruin here. Highly recommended!
Moral: Be proud of who you are. Somebody will appreciate you.
Length: This is the perfect balance between pictures and words. It’s easily read in one sitting but has sufficient depth and clarity.
Favorite Line: “The seals are best, anybody can tell, so tomorrow I’ll be a seal as well.”
Overall impression: Edward wants to be cool, and don’t we all? So he tries to fit in with the cool kids - seals, snakes, lions, etc. But what he discovers is that some people think emus are cool too. I adored this book. The poetry’s cadence is easily replicated and the artist’s renderings of an emu pretending to be other animals are great. And there’s even a surprise ending that I won’t ruin here. Highly recommended!
November 2, 2025
Wow — I listened to a beautifully explained analysis of this story by a random girl on YouTube, and I have to say, the piece itself is fantastic in every aspect. It’s a wonderful journey about learning to accept yourself so that people love you for who you truly are, not for who you pretend to be. And, as the girl in the video said, it reminds us that “while you can’t be everybody’s favourite, you’re somebody’s favourite.”
Honestly, I don’t think I can add much more to her analysis. The first time I read the story, I felt the same way and understood pretty much everything she pointed out. So, I’ll just leave the video linked below — it’s really interesting and could be a great reference for future literary analyses (which I hope I can do soon).
https://youtu.be/qf6RCtDeK4g?si=AsOsi...
Honestly, I don’t think I can add much more to her analysis. The first time I read the story, I felt the same way and understood pretty much everything she pointed out. So, I’ll just leave the video linked below — it’s really interesting and could be a great reference for future literary analyses (which I hope I can do soon).
https://youtu.be/qf6RCtDeK4g?si=AsOsi...
September 8, 2017
Hardcover
6.Edward the Emu-Written by: Sheena Knowles & Illustrated by Rod Clement
HarperCollins: Reprinted Edition April 4, 1998
Ages: 3-8
USA Grades: Pre-K – Grade 2
Poor Edward the Emu is not satisfied with being an emu. He lives at the zoo and believes the spectators think the other animals are more exciting.
Because of his misguided perception, Edward spends the day trying to emulate the other “more popular” animals at the zoo in vain. Readers can’t help but fall in love with Edward’s silly antics and delight in the humorous illustrations and rhymes.
Edward is truly an individual worth celebrating! This book was originally published in Australia.
(My Blog Post 10 Picture Books/ 10 Incredible Individuals Pre-K-Grade 5 & 2 math activities)
April 4, 2020
“Edward the Emu was sick of the zoo, There was nowhere to go, there was nothing to do.”
The grass is greener on the other cages for Edward, because he just knows that the seals are living it up next door. It must be great being a seal. So, he sneaks out of his cage and joins the seals. He’s having a great time until he hears someone say that the “lion’s the best thing to see at the zoo.” But then the snake cage seems like the place to be. But wait ... did he just hear that the Emu’s the best? How could there be an emu. He’s not there.
Wow, when I read that first line it totally resonated with where we are right now in the world with “Shelter in place” orders. Edward learns a valuable lesson about being happy with who you are and where you are. The illustrations are fabulous!
The grass is greener on the other cages for Edward, because he just knows that the seals are living it up next door. It must be great being a seal. So, he sneaks out of his cage and joins the seals. He’s having a great time until he hears someone say that the “lion’s the best thing to see at the zoo.” But then the snake cage seems like the place to be. But wait ... did he just hear that the Emu’s the best? How could there be an emu. He’s not there.
Wow, when I read that first line it totally resonated with where we are right now in the world with “Shelter in place” orders. Edward learns a valuable lesson about being happy with who you are and where you are. The illustrations are fabulous!
November 28, 2017
only having five stars leaves me awkwardly giving imprecise ratings. I like precision. But:
This is a good picture book. It's not an outstanding picture book. I want to be able to rate it highly, but I want to be able to rate the pop-up Sendak book MUCH higher. It's awkward. But that's not this book's fault. This book it pretty great.
It has emus (major plus).
The drawings are accurate without being pedantic (no, but really, the toes are the right size/number/shape, the proportions right, etc, but its still got a picture book cutsiness. This is a difficult balance, and the books does a great job of it)
The words are almost impossible to read -without- singing. Well done.
This is a good picture book. It's not an outstanding picture book. I want to be able to rate it highly, but I want to be able to rate the pop-up Sendak book MUCH higher. It's awkward. But that's not this book's fault. This book it pretty great.
It has emus (major plus).
The drawings are accurate without being pedantic (no, but really, the toes are the right size/number/shape, the proportions right, etc, but its still got a picture book cutsiness. This is a difficult balance, and the books does a great job of it)
The words are almost impossible to read -without- singing. Well done.
June 5, 2022
I giggled so much while reading this book and seeing poor Edward trying to be an animal he is not. It is a great lesson for kids to read as they all go through where they are trying to be someone they are not in their lives. Cassie really enjoyed this book and giggled at the silly antics the Edward went through. We loved how life-like the illustrations in this book are. They kind of make you want to pet the bird on every page. I really like this book and I highly recommend you to check out the book.
September 3, 2024
A story about learning to love one's self. The rhyme scheme, while simple, is quite lovely. It's also about freedom, without the ability to change you cannot learn to accept yourself. Despite how hard Edward tries to change he cannot do so his mentality traps him just as the zoo attempts to. His true transformation however, is achieved at the end of the story, in which he meets Edwina. Because while the love of one's self is important it shows that without another it is much more difficult to achieve said love/acceptance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2019
This book is about an emu who thinks he is boring while all the other animals at the zoo are interesting, so he tries to emulate them in turn. In the end he figures out that he's his best when he's himself.
A lovely story about individual differences and self-acceptance, similar to the gorgeous story of Arthur.
A lovely story about individual differences and self-acceptance, similar to the gorgeous story of Arthur.
January 6, 2021
Edward the Emu is as bored as ever being an emu at the zoo! So he tries out being a different animal every day, changing what he thinks he should be because he overhears people saying they like the lions or snakes the best. But finally, he realizes that he is the best as an emu, what he is all along. I think this is a good book because it is important to be your own self and not change who you are because someone else or other things make you feel bad in your own skin. Be confident! :)
November 17, 2022
Edward thinks his life is boring so he sets out to become the animals visitors think are the best. Each day he changes to a new animal until he hears a visitor talk about a different one. When he hears someone say emus are the best, he sneaks home that night. To his surprise, another emu is in his space. Edwina and he become friends and appreciate their lives.
Terrific to talk about being yourself.
Terrific to talk about being yourself.
October 22, 2017
I absolutely love this book. This is definitely worth sharing with any child. This book brings meaning to being yourself, even if you are not the most popular all the time. This book also includes rhymes and some repetition, which makes it fun to read.
Topics: being yourself, strengths, personalities, favorites, popularity, zoo animals, feeling bored, friendships, finding opportunities.
Topics: being yourself, strengths, personalities, favorites, popularity, zoo animals, feeling bored, friendships, finding opportunities.
April 3, 2019
Pretty cute for a picture book set at the zoo (which I am NOT a fan of). Edward the emu decides to change into all different - more interesting and popular - animals, until he hears someone say that the emu is their favourite, and he decides to be himself again! The rhyme is a little forced at times, but the pictures are great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews