Emma

by Wendy Kesselman, Barbara Cooney

Motivated by a birthday gift, a 72-year-old woman begins to paint.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Art, Family, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[David Goetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

We gave this to our 4-year-old daughter for Christmas, and she loves it; it's a great length for kids ages 3-6. The illustrations, by Barbara Cooney, are wonderful (as hers always are). The story depicts 72-year-old Emma, along with her family and people from around the world, discovering that she's a gifted painter. The book could establish in our children a high regard for older folks.

[Capn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. Ankle biters were unimpressed, even though there was an orange cat called Pumpkinseed who got stuck in trees.

Philistines.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book story, about an old woman whose family gives her a gift painting that spurs her on to become a painter herself is charming and sweet. The illustrations are vivid and really make the book come alive, and the story is particularly good for young kids that might be a little shy around the elderly or have a difficult time empathizing with them. It’s also enjoyable for adults to read.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just loved the message of this book - how Emma discovered (at the age of 72) how much she loved to paint, and once she started to paint her favorite things, she was always surrounded by her friends and the places she loved.

[Kristin Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that explains the joys one might find when they learn a new craft. In Emma's case, she is a lonely woman and finds happiness when she begins to paint pictures of the village she grew up in.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational for all ages, esp. for seniors. Simple, but not simplistic. Extra star for being a true story.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Rainbow has rarely steered me wrong, but I particularly loved this recommendation. Emma tells the story of 72 year old woman who lives alone with her cat, Pumpkinseed. After receiving a painting that’s a picture of the village she grew up in, Emma decides she can do better and paints her own picture the way she remembers it. Emma always hides her painting when her family comes, but one days she forgets to rehang the picture of the village they gave her. Her family sees her painting and encourages her to paint more. Emma is still alone, but through her art, she is no longer lonely.

One of the things that struck me as I was reading Emma was how rare it is nowadays to see a children’s book that is about an elderly person. It’s not that these books don’t exist, they’re just mostly told from the perspective of the child as they relate to an elderly person. Of course these books are wonderful and necessary (I particularly love Julie Flett’s Birdsong), it makes me a bit sad that publishing currently thinks children can’t relate to stories that aren’t about them.

There’s much in Emma’s story that’s relatable to a child. Emma is loved, but often overlooked and patronized. A line from the book that struck my heart was But when she told her family about the things she loved, they laughed and said to each other, “Poor Emma. She must be getting old.” I know children who are told “You’re too young to understand” or who can’t get an adult to engage with them in the things they’re interested in will likely feel some kinship to Emma. Finally, there’s a quiet vulnerability to Emma hiding her artwork from her family. The book doesn’t explain why she does this, but for me (and I suspect many children) the answer is felt without needing to be explained. Who isn’t afraid of rejection of something personal they’ve made? It’s so sweet to see Emma recognized and celebrated in the end.

This book is also a great springboard to talk to kids about outsider art. It would be wonderful to pair it with Art Against the Odds: From Slave Quilts to Prison Paintings, Don't Hold Me Back: My Life and Art, or The Wonderful Towers of Watts (incidentally another Reading Rainbow book)!

This book was featured on Reading Rainbow in the You Don't Have to Take my Word for It segment of episode 7, which first aired on June 19th,1983. This review is part of an ongoing project where I read and review every book that appeared 0n Reading Rainbow

[Juushika · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lonely old lady finds a new purpose in her painting. Not to spoil a picture book, but: as soon as her paintings started to gain social attention, my hackles went up, expecting a "provide value to earn love" narrative; thankfully, this isn't that. At the end of the day, people leave, Emma is still alone - but alone with her fulfilling work and surrounded by the beauty she's created. That's the way to do it. A picture book about art inevitably suits itself, rich with paintings-within-paintings, vibrant and beautiful. (This is the author/illustrator behind Miss Rumphius and, while not as transcendent, has many of the same charms.)

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an inspiring story about a seventy-something-year-old woman named Emma who has a big family but they don't spend time with her. Her family thinks she's getting old, but they give her a painting of what they claim to be the village she grew up in for her birthday. However, Emma doesn't see the village of her childhood in the painting and decides to paint it the way she remembers. She continues to paint. She paints everything meaningful to her. Her cat, the snow, the woodpecker, etc. that in the end, she's not alone anymore, because she's surrounded by all her paintings of the things that she loves. Very fun and inspiring story. My rating - 5/5

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Emma turns seventy-two, her family gives her a painting of the village where she grew up. The painting did not look like the village that she remembered so she decided to paint "her village just the way she remembered it." This beautiful story about a woman who begins painting in her seventies is based on the life of Emma Stern whom Kesselman had met in Paris. Cooney did extensive research on Stern and her artwork so her illustrations were similar to Stern's paintings. An inspiring picture book for all ages!

[Ebjourney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma is 72, and for her birthday her kids give her a picture of her old town, but she doesn't remember it the way it is pictured, so she picks up some paints and easel to start her own picture. She's lonely and yet painting helps in those times where she doesn't see her family. She leaves theirs up when they come to visit, and then puts hers up when they are away. One day, they find her picture up and it brings about a great story that I just love that goes with just life and family and bringing beauty into the world.

[Jolynne Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma is in her 70s and has a cat named Pumpkinseed. Emma has friends and family, but doesn't see them enough. She begins painting.

I really enjoy books about older people who are living their lives with meaning. Books that show that as we age, we still have interests and continue to learn.

Barbara Cooney's illustrations are wonderful, just as you'd expect and they bring Emma and her paintings to life.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A completely charming read by Wendy Kesselman with illustrations by the iconic Barbara Cooney. Emma may be 72, but she has some spunk in her yet. When a painting her family gifts to her does not portray her beloved village accurately, Emma paints her own copy. She switches the one on display depending on if she has family visiting or not. One day she forgets to make the change and her family is introduced to Emma, the artist. I just fell in love with Emma and her sweet orange cat Pumpkinseed. 😻

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is never too late to keep trying new things! Emma seemed to be living a pandemic quarantine sort of life with her cat Pumpkinseed. Her family didn't come to visit often. But after being gifted a painting, Emma decided to try painting on her own and filled her days (and impressed the relatives when they came)

[Children's Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a very simple story but if you like art or painting, you will appreciate it.

Illustrations are very good.

The theme is not child-focused, but for teachers it may be useful if they need a book about seniors and how they may feel lonely, bored and without purpose.

[Alihandra_86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I really enjoyed this one!

[Lorena · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had a cute message, but it's not a book I would buy or re-read.

[Amory Blaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really adore this slow, sweet read about a 72-year-old matriarch who embarks on an inner journey to create art. Just a lovely, quiet book for older kids or even adults.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dear little book. This book was recommended at the end of the "Reading Rainbow" episode featuring "Liang's Magic Paintbrush." Having only her cat, Pumkinseed, as a companion, Emma is a bit lonely.

On her 72nd birthday her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren give her a painting of the little village where she grew up. Emma likes the painting but feels it doesn't do justice to her village. She buys art supplies and paints the scene herself. Now her picture hangs where the other painting used to.

Careful to switch the paintings before her family comes, Emma forgets one day. To her surprise, her family cheers her efforts and supports her budding art career. While still alone, Emma is no longer lonely. She has found her talent, and that makes all the difference.

I couldn't help but think of Marc's grandmother and his mom when reading this. His grandmother discovered her artistic talent after raising her children and the death of her husband. Marc's mom dabbles in art now and is also talented. We have some of her art in our home.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was about a little old woman who became very lonely. Although she had a cat and a family that would visit every so often she still felt lonely inside. One day she found something she loved doing, painting. She would constantly paint all day every day because it made her feel happy. I liked this book because it makes the reader inspired to find something they enjoy doing as a hobby.

[Kelly Powell]

This book was a touching story that reminded me of my own grandmother that is ninety-two. Being lonely is something a lot of people struggle with so you must find hobbies and things to fill your time so that you enjoy life with others and by yourself. I also loved how the illustrator drew each picture with a boarder not filling the entire page.

[Mylisa Larsen]

There are two pictures in this one that are among my most adored of all time.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and hopeful. The Picture of Emma in the apple tree is priceless!

[Katie Lewellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful book to have students identify emotions and feelings. The overall book can help to teach a lesson about how to make the best of situations placed in.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story. I am pretty sure that Emma and Caroline Cooney's other favorite literary heroine, Miss Rumphius, could be best friends. Makes me wish I was a painter.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes:
barbara cooney illustrations are perfect
story of old woman who becomes a painter to satisfy her loneliness
kids liked emma in the tree
more a book for girls than boys in my opinion

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice tribute book to a lonely older woman who begins to paint to fill her lonely spots. The illustrations by Cooney are lovely, but the theme is not in style for the 21st century child.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hopeful story of an old grandmother who finds a way to change her lonely life through painting. Cute but unoriginal.

The illustrations are pretty good.

[Pita-eater · Rating 5 out of 5]

From inside the book: "Motivated by a birthday gift, a 72-year-old woman begins to paint." This is such a gentle, comforting story, and Cooney's illustrations are exquisite (as always).