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The Mouse of Amherst
A mouse's-eye-view of Emily Dickinson
When a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry! Inspired, Emmaline writes her own first poem and secretly deposits it on Emily's desk. Emily answers with another poem, and a lively exchange begins. In this charming and fanciful introduction to Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Spires demonstrates the power of poetry to express our deepest feelings, while Claire A. Nivola's delicate pencil drawings capture the intricacies of life in Emily's world. Included are eight of Dickinson's most loved poems, with seven corresponding poems by Emmaline that are sure to bring out the poet in any child.
When a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry! Inspired, Emmaline writes her own first poem and secretly deposits it on Emily's desk. Emily answers with another poem, and a lively exchange begins. In this charming and fanciful introduction to Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Spires demonstrates the power of poetry to express our deepest feelings, while Claire A. Nivola's delicate pencil drawings capture the intricacies of life in Emily's world. Included are eight of Dickinson's most loved poems, with seven corresponding poems by Emmaline that are sure to bring out the poet in any child.
64 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 1999
2 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Spires
43 books14 followersElizabeth Spires is the author of five collections of poetry as well as several books for children. She has been the recipient a Whiting Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Amy Lowell Travelling Poetry Scholarship, and two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1998 she received the Witter Bynner Prize for Poetry from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Maryland Author Award from the Maryland Library Association. Her poems have been featured on National Public Radio and have appeared in The New Yorker, American Poetry Review, The New Criterion, and in many anthologies, including Contemporary American Poetry (7th edition) and The New Bread Loaf Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry. She lives in Baltimore with her husband, the novelist Madison Smartt Bell, and their daughter, and is a Professor of English at Goucher College where she holds a Chair for Distinguished Achievement.
Now the Green Blade Rises (2002)
>> read " 'In Heaven It Is Always Autumn' "
Worldling (1995)
>> read "Truro," "Worldling," and "Celia Dreaming"
Also by Elizabeth Spires
- Annonciade
- Swan's Island
- Globe
Editor
The Instant of Knowing: Lectures, Criticism, and Occasional Prose of Josephine Jacobsen
Books for Children
- The Mouse of Amherst
- I Am Arachne
- Riddle Road
Now the Green Blade Rises (2002)
>> read " 'In Heaven It Is Always Autumn' "
Worldling (1995)
>> read "Truro," "Worldling," and "Celia Dreaming"
Also by Elizabeth Spires
- Annonciade
- Swan's Island
- Globe
Editor
The Instant of Knowing: Lectures, Criticism, and Occasional Prose of Josephine Jacobsen
Books for Children
- The Mouse of Amherst
- I Am Arachne
- Riddle Road
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 14, 2019
What a sweet little treat I found at the library! A mouse has taken residency at Emily Dickinson's home in Amherst and they immediately become friends. While including events of Emily's real life kids can also see it in a mouse's perspective. The mouse learns that she loves poetry too and that's how the friendship builds.
Quick story with beautiful poetry. Cute pencil sketches. Reading level: 5.5.
Quick story with beautiful poetry. Cute pencil sketches. Reading level: 5.5.
March 19, 2015
The only way this book could be more adorable is if it were also a stuffed animal.
The main character mouse in question is so flippin' cute, I found myself wishing this book were a stuffed animal, or at least came along with one so you could hug it while you were reading and maybe ask if it was ready for you to turn the page yet.
Wow. It's official. If a book is charming enough, it will turn me into a blithering idiot.
Anyway. Although the delicately expressive line drawings of Claire A. Nivola would have sufficed to win me over, Elizabeth Spires' story is outstanding. At one point, I was howling with laughter. (I'll tell you which point in a minute.)
Emmaline is a well-bred but adventurous mouse who moves into a New England house. She soon realizes that she is sharing a chamber with a most unusual housemate: Emily Dickinson.
Dickinson teaches Emmaline to love poetry and even to turn her paw to versification herself. These two shy, mischievous, nature-loving creatures communicate by leaving one another poems on bits of paper placed where no one else will find them.
Dickinson favors helpless mice over marauding cats (a fancy supported by her verse as well as by her niece's recollections), and keeps Emmaline safe from harm. In exchange, Emmaline is fiercely loyal to her dear Emily. When writer/editor Thomas Wentworth Higginson pays a visit and doesn't properly appreciate the genius of Dickinson's work, Emmaline is so furious she knocks a vase over, "missing him by a hair."
That's when I laughed. The ferocious expression the artist gives Emmaline's usually delicate features on this page is worth the price of the book, even if the rest of it weren't absolutely wonderful. The good news? It is.
Emily and Emmaline are loyal, loving friends; but eventually Emmaline realizes that it's time for her to make a choice:
I saw I must decide once and for all whether to leave the Dickinsons' – as Emily never would. For although she was content with her life's "circumference," narrow but infinitely deep, I felt stirred to see more of life.
I love that the author references the geographical smallness of Dickinson's existence while also acknowledging that this was what Dickinson had chosen, and what she needed in order to work – and her work was her life.
I'm also deeply impressed that the poetry Emmaline writes doesn't present as mediocre next to Dickinson's verse, but in fact is so good that at one point I had to check and see if one of Emmaline's poems wasn't actually one of Dickinson's.
I'm still in the middle of my Dickinson research, so I'm not sure what tragedy of ED's life Spires is referring to when she has Dickinson reacting with great agitation to the arrival of a letter. (Nerd outburst: I think it might be the death of Judge Otis Lord, but in this book ED's father is still alive when the letter arrives, and in real life Mr. Dickinson had died before Lord, who loved and was loved by Dickinson, passed on.) But the scene is beautifully handled, and shows a tender friendship between mouse and poet. After Emily falls asleep at her writing desk, Emmaline composes a lovely poem to console her, then carefully extinguishes the candle (another adorable illustration).
The next time you're at the library, check this book out and treat yourself to 15 minutes of absolute delight. Even if you've never been especially interested in Dickinson, or poetry, or mice, this book is irresistible – and it's a terrific introduction to the life and work of the great poet of Amherst.
The main character mouse in question is so flippin' cute, I found myself wishing this book were a stuffed animal, or at least came along with one so you could hug it while you were reading and maybe ask if it was ready for you to turn the page yet.
Wow. It's official. If a book is charming enough, it will turn me into a blithering idiot.
Anyway. Although the delicately expressive line drawings of Claire A. Nivola would have sufficed to win me over, Elizabeth Spires' story is outstanding. At one point, I was howling with laughter. (I'll tell you which point in a minute.)
Emmaline is a well-bred but adventurous mouse who moves into a New England house. She soon realizes that she is sharing a chamber with a most unusual housemate: Emily Dickinson.
Dickinson teaches Emmaline to love poetry and even to turn her paw to versification herself. These two shy, mischievous, nature-loving creatures communicate by leaving one another poems on bits of paper placed where no one else will find them.
Dickinson favors helpless mice over marauding cats (a fancy supported by her verse as well as by her niece's recollections), and keeps Emmaline safe from harm. In exchange, Emmaline is fiercely loyal to her dear Emily. When writer/editor Thomas Wentworth Higginson pays a visit and doesn't properly appreciate the genius of Dickinson's work, Emmaline is so furious she knocks a vase over, "missing him by a hair."
That's when I laughed. The ferocious expression the artist gives Emmaline's usually delicate features on this page is worth the price of the book, even if the rest of it weren't absolutely wonderful. The good news? It is.
Emily and Emmaline are loyal, loving friends; but eventually Emmaline realizes that it's time for her to make a choice:
I saw I must decide once and for all whether to leave the Dickinsons' – as Emily never would. For although she was content with her life's "circumference," narrow but infinitely deep, I felt stirred to see more of life.
I love that the author references the geographical smallness of Dickinson's existence while also acknowledging that this was what Dickinson had chosen, and what she needed in order to work – and her work was her life.
I'm also deeply impressed that the poetry Emmaline writes doesn't present as mediocre next to Dickinson's verse, but in fact is so good that at one point I had to check and see if one of Emmaline's poems wasn't actually one of Dickinson's.
I'm still in the middle of my Dickinson research, so I'm not sure what tragedy of ED's life Spires is referring to when she has Dickinson reacting with great agitation to the arrival of a letter. (Nerd outburst: I think it might be the death of Judge Otis Lord, but in this book ED's father is still alive when the letter arrives, and in real life Mr. Dickinson had died before Lord, who loved and was loved by Dickinson, passed on.) But the scene is beautifully handled, and shows a tender friendship between mouse and poet. After Emily falls asleep at her writing desk, Emmaline composes a lovely poem to console her, then carefully extinguishes the candle (another adorable illustration).
The next time you're at the library, check this book out and treat yourself to 15 minutes of absolute delight. Even if you've never been especially interested in Dickinson, or poetry, or mice, this book is irresistible – and it's a terrific introduction to the life and work of the great poet of Amherst.
November 7, 2010
I love this little book.
It's a children's book, but it captures Emily's spirit better than any biography or essay I've seen. The illustrations are delightful.
It's a children's book, but it captures Emily's spirit better than any biography or essay I've seen. The illustrations are delightful.
January 21, 2020
What a lovely little book!
May 11, 2021
This is a wonderful story about a mouse who befriends Emily Dickinson and is introduced to the magical art of poetry. It's concise, well-written, and incredibly thoughtful. The accompanying illustrations are also so charming. I'd definitely recommend this to a child who is interested in historically-inspired fiction. Appropriate for grades 2-4.
October 4, 2016
A modest little book that introduces children to the poetry of Emily Dickinson. I really enjoyed it.
July 25, 2020
I loved this sweet little book, the poetry, and quiet moments shared between Emily and Emmaline
September 10, 2016
This is a lovely little book that interweaves some of Dickinson's most famous poems with a few new poems inspired by her. These new poems are "written" by a mouse who becomes a poem while living in the Dickinson home. It's a pretty simple tale, but there is a sophistication to the narrative, as if it was written in the 1800s.
The book kept my four-year old's attention, and it brought up discussions about the nature and origins of poems ("Where do poems come from?" Jude asks. "From the heart," I say.) This was also the book where Jude was able to bring details from the book together and make a revelation about the text, four pages before the author actually said it: "I think Emily and the mouse are becoming friends." I was so excited when he said that.
Hooray for imaginative books that celebrate poetry and poets. (And we are all poets, really—a belief I want my son to hold himself.)
The book kept my four-year old's attention, and it brought up discussions about the nature and origins of poems ("Where do poems come from?" Jude asks. "From the heart," I say.) This was also the book where Jude was able to bring details from the book together and make a revelation about the text, four pages before the author actually said it: "I think Emily and the mouse are becoming friends." I was so excited when he said that.
Hooray for imaginative books that celebrate poetry and poets. (And we are all poets, really—a belief I want my son to hold himself.)
June 15, 2011
This book, though not very long, is so inspiring! It inspired me to write poetry from age six, and I can quote many of the poems inside it! A great read(even for inexperienced readers; I read it when I was six)!!!
November 6, 2018
Sweet, but insubstantial.
August 15, 2019
Adorable - charming - uplifting !!
December 24, 2022
Ngl this was actually was very deep
March 27, 2016
04/15: We all took turns reading this one and enjoyed it.
Amazon Book Description:
A mouse's-eye-view of Emily Dickinson
When a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry! Inspired, Emmaline writes her own first poem and secretly deposits it on Emily's desk. Emily answers with another poem, and a lively exchange begins. In this charming and fanciful introduction to Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Spires demonstrates the power of poetry to express our deepest feelings, while Claire A. Nivola's delicate pencil drawings capture the intricacies of life in Emily's world. Included are eight of Dickinson's most loved poems, with seven corresponding poems by Emmaline that are sure to bring out the poet in any child.
Amazon Book Description:
A mouse's-eye-view of Emily Dickinson
When a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry! Inspired, Emmaline writes her own first poem and secretly deposits it on Emily's desk. Emily answers with another poem, and a lively exchange begins. In this charming and fanciful introduction to Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Spires demonstrates the power of poetry to express our deepest feelings, while Claire A. Nivola's delicate pencil drawings capture the intricacies of life in Emily's world. Included are eight of Dickinson's most loved poems, with seven corresponding poems by Emmaline that are sure to bring out the poet in any child.
May 10, 2011
Update: We just finished this and...it wasn't the greatest. I like some of Emily Dickinson, but her life was pretty sad--she never married, never had children, and lived as a recluse and died at 55. Yikes! The mouse part was cute sometimes, but mostly it was all a little weird. The mouse's heart would beat wildly and she would get dizzy when she started to write poetry and then she would wake up from her trancelike state and realize that she had just written a masterpiece...um? Are you on LSD? :) Perhaps my poetic taste is just not refined enough for this book, but at least it was short and Hannah liked looking at the mouse pictures!
Okay, one more little one with Hannah - this one is from my Mom. ;)
Okay, one more little one with Hannah - this one is from my Mom. ;)
December 31, 2011
A sweet little story about a mouse called Emmaline who moves into Emily Dickinson's room and begins to discover her own potential as a poet, fueled and inspired by Emily herself. The two become friends, indirectly, and share their poetic efforts. Delicate drawings by Claire Nivola (who came out this year with a wonderful new picture book of her own) are perfectly suited to the clean, spare, peaceful atmosphere of the book. This is a gentle introduction to Dickinson, with historical detail and excerpts from actual events, and of course, poems. 3rd-5th grade. Out of print.
February 14, 2019
I can't think of a better way to introduce works by Emily Dickinson to young readers than this charming little book, narrated by a mouse, Emmaline. The young rodent is pursuing life away from home and finds a cozy spot in the bedroom woodwork in Emily's house. Although equipped with a notebook among her meager belongings, it is curiosity and the discovery of Emily's remarkably appealing poems that inspires Emmaline to reply in verse.
The framing narrative of this interaction allows readers to learn about the life of Dickinson while enjoying some of her simplest and most accessible poems.
The framing narrative of this interaction allows readers to learn about the life of Dickinson while enjoying some of her simplest and most accessible poems.
April 12, 2009
This was an irritating little book.
The tale of a mouse living in the Dickinson household suddenly finds she has an affinity for poetry and begins writing poems back and forth to Emily Dickinson.
Having not liked Ms. Dickinson's poetry for a long time in years past, thinking that it was too trite and simplistic, this takes me right back to those opinions based on it has been woven into this silly story.
I really don't like this little mouse.
The tale of a mouse living in the Dickinson household suddenly finds she has an affinity for poetry and begins writing poems back and forth to Emily Dickinson.
Having not liked Ms. Dickinson's poetry for a long time in years past, thinking that it was too trite and simplistic, this takes me right back to those opinions based on it has been woven into this silly story.
I really don't like this little mouse.
August 9, 2009
Your child will undoubtedly delight in the discovery that the title of this book is a pun: a mouse named Emmaline dwells in the bedroom of a shy and retiring poet named Emily… Emily Dickinson, that is. Emmaline, who narrates, thinks of herself as “nothing more than a crumb gatherer, a cheese nibbler, a mouse-of-little-purpose.” But that was before she met “the great poet of Amherst.”
Full review:
http://www.twentybyjenny.com/812Books...
Full review:
http://www.twentybyjenny.com/812Books...
September 7, 2012
Emmeline the mouse moves into Emily Dickinson's bedroom. Emily scribbles away on little slips of paper and Emmeline wonders what she is working so hard on. Then a piece of paper falls to the floor and Emmeline finds that she is writing poetry. Emmeline learns she has a knack for poetry herself. Emmeline and Emily correspond through poetry until Lavinia, Emily's sister, finds out that Emily is harboring a mouse in her bedroom. Emmeline is then forced to move out.
Boring.
Boring.
May 10, 2018
This was a quick read. Perfect for a lunch time.
The main character is a lovely little mouse who moves in with Emily Dickinson and her family. Interesting adventures and poetry ensue.
Well written with prose and poetry. The simple illustrations add greater depth to this short story or novella.
I truly enjoyed it. Not sure people who do not like mice will, but I had pet mice and love the little beings.
The main character is a lovely little mouse who moves in with Emily Dickinson and her family. Interesting adventures and poetry ensue.
Well written with prose and poetry. The simple illustrations add greater depth to this short story or novella.
I truly enjoyed it. Not sure people who do not like mice will, but I had pet mice and love the little beings.
March 22, 2020
This is a sweet and genuine story about a mouse who comes to live with Emily Dickinson, exploring briefly her life and poetry. I recommend this for more advanced and/or thoughtful readers if reading independently, but this would also be a great read-aloud. Vocabulary, tone, and subject matter are nuanced and might need some guidance. I could see this sparking a bigger conversation about her life and work.
August 16, 2012
We didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped we would. I read it to my children (boy 8, girl 5), and I ended up editing as I read making the language more understandable to them. Otherwise they were losing interest. Twice they even fell asleep! Err... I guess that's not really a bad thing though, is it?!
December 16, 2014
slj gr 2-4 60 pgs
Fantasy, mice. Emmaline mouse moves into a mouse hole in Emily Dickinson's room. When she discovers some of Emily's poetry one day, Emmaline discovers that she too possesses a poetic talent!
Included in the story are some of Dickinson's poems and the reader also learns a little bit about Dickinson's life.
Fantasy, mice. Emmaline mouse moves into a mouse hole in Emily Dickinson's room. When she discovers some of Emily's poetry one day, Emmaline discovers that she too possesses a poetic talent!
Included in the story are some of Dickinson's poems and the reader also learns a little bit about Dickinson's life.
April 21, 2020
The concept is cute and refreshing but I honestly didn’t feel anything. Maybe because I’m not the target market? But I’ve read other children’s books before and however basic its writing still managed to engender some feeling in me. but I did get interested in the epilogue about Emily Dickinson, how she never married and became more and more reclusive until the end of her life.
September 18, 2014
This book was weird. The images and length imply that it is for younger kids. The sophistication of the language certain does not. I know junior high or high school kids that would struggle with the way this is written. Kind of an interesting idea, but really just an homage to Emily Dickinson.
January 2, 2015
A cute book that introduces Emily Dickinson, her poetry and home through the eyes and poetry of a mouse to children moving beyond picture books. Smoothly incorporates Dickinson's poetry and conveys something of her character. Nice line illustrations
September 7, 2016
""The Mouse of Amherst" was an adorable story depicting a piece of Emily Dickinson's life from the point of view of a mouse named Emmaline. It was a very quick read and I enjoyed the fact that the dialogue between Emily and Emmaline was poetry that they wrote to one another.
July 4, 2018
As someone who was drawn to Emily Dickinson's work when I had to read it for school years ago, I found this book quite charming.
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? I've already read it once before.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? I've already read it once before.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
November 28, 2018
A mouse moves into Emily Dickinson’s bedroom and discovers that she, too, is a poet. This chapter book was an awesome and accessible introduction to Dickinson as well as a cute story in its own right.
March 20, 2008
A darling introduction to the writing of Emily Dickinson <3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews