Emily

A young girl is curious about Emily, the woman who lives across the street. Why does she never leave the house? The girl's father says Emily writes poetry and always wears white. Shortly before the coming of spring, the girl's mother is invited to play piano for Emily; and when she goes, she takes the girl with her. While her mother plays, the girl sneaks upstairs. There she meets the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson, and the two new friends exchange special gifts.

Publishers Weekly

In a boxed review, PW compared this fictionalized encounter between Emily Dickinson and a young neighbor to "a Dickinson sonnet, a quiet gem: unassuming upon first glance, it is in fact deeply lustrous, with new facets becoming apparent the longer one looks." Ages 5-8. (Oct.)

Michael Bedard has written several novels and picture books for young readers, including Emily, a picture book about Emily Dickinson illustrated by Barbara Cooney. He lives in Toronto with his wife and children.

Emily Arnold McCully is the author and illustrator of more than twenty books for young readers, including Starring Mirette and Bellini, The Ballot Box Battle, the Bobbin Girl, and Mirette on the highwire, which won the Caldecott Medal. She has also illustrated more than a hundred books by other authors. She lives in New York City and Chatham, New York.

From the Hardcover edition.