Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and Her Poetic Beginnings
Description
Jane Yolen's Emily Writes is an imagined and evocative picture book account of Emily Dickinson's childhood poetic beginnings, featuring illustrations by Christine Davenier.
As a young girl, Emily Dickinson loved to scribble curlicues and circles, imagine new rhymes, and connect with the natural world around her. The sounds, sights, and smells of home swirled through her mind, and Emily began to explore writing and rhyming her thoughts and impressions. She thinks about the real and the unreal. Perhaps poems are the in-between. This thoughtful spotlight on Emily's early experimentations with poetry offers a unique window into one of the world's most famous and influential poets. Christy Ottaviano BooksProduct Details
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About the Author
Jane Yolen is one of the most distinguished and successful authors for young readers and adults in the country. She has written over 200 books--including Briar Rose, Owl Moon, and The Devil's Arithmetic. Her books have won the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, the Jewish Book Award, and two Christopher Medals, among others. Yolen lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts.
When Christine Davenier was fourteen, she received her first box of watercolor paints, a gift from her grandmother. Since then, she has embraced her career as an illustrator and has contributed her artwork to picture books including Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen by Cari Best. She lives in Paris, France.Reviews
Davenier's ink and watercolor illustrations capture a sunny, spirited moppet whose outdoor world is rife with inspiration . . . Winningly portrays a young writer who appreciates approbation but takes genuine, confident delight in her own accomplishment. --The Bulletin, starred review
Yolen's love of language and her knowledge of the poet's life and work as well as her understanding of young children. . . An imaginative portrayal of the poet as a young child.--Booklist The imagined events of one day in the early life of Emily Dickinson foreshadow her future creations. The text moves along smoothly with plenty of appealing turns of phrase and engaging images. A warm portrait that even those unfamiliar with the iconic poet will likely enjoy.--Kirkus Reviews Yolen and Davenier portray Dickinson as a small child . . . Yolen conjures appealing possibilities. Davenier's loose-lined, color-washed ink illustrations capture childlike joy and curiosity.--Publishers weeklyYolen's cleverly constructed scheme will intrigue adult Dickinson fans. Davenier's multimedia sketches provide simple, deft views of characters and settings. Some parents might share this with children learning to read and write. It could also spark good discussion with older students studying Dickinson in poetry units. --School Library Journal
From Emily's youthful vantage point, Yolen indirectly explains a good deal about her life and interests, allowing readers to think--just as Emily does--"about the real and the unreal" and while lies in-between (it's poetry, according to Emily). . . The pastel-hued watercolor and ink illustrations reflect Emily's precociousness and curiosity. --Horn Book
