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Emma in Buttonland
Emma is staying with her cranky Uncle Hubert and strict Aunt Mechthild during the holiday. At first it appears that this will be a long and dull visit, filled with lonely activities. However, Emma soon discovers that her aunt and uncle have countless rooms, each designated with their very own quirky collection. There is a room just for snail-shells and another for perfume samples. One evening Emma stumbles upon the Button Room, and suddenly a big gold button starts talking to her! When Emma touches it, she shrinks to button size and finds herself in the magical Buttonland.
No sooner has she arrived than the Button Police are after her in hot pursuit—it is their job, after all, to persecute all Non-Buttons. Luckily for Emma, she meets Louise, a silver button, and Gustav, a mother-of-pearl button. Together they try to help Emma back to the human world. That marks the beginning of a thrilling journey through the land of buttons. Emma in Buttonland is for any child with a love for magical worlds full of adventure, and for any parent who fondly remembers classic stories such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Gulliver's Travels.
No sooner has she arrived than the Button Police are after her in hot pursuit—it is their job, after all, to persecute all Non-Buttons. Luckily for Emma, she meets Louise, a silver button, and Gustav, a mother-of-pearl button. Together they try to help Emma back to the human world. That marks the beginning of a thrilling journey through the land of buttons. Emma in Buttonland is for any child with a love for magical worlds full of adventure, and for any parent who fondly remembers classic stories such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Gulliver's Travels.
120 pages, Hardcover
First published July 11, 2011
1 person is currently reading
242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 5, 2014
After a long day at office, it’s so relaxing to unwind with some good books, especially the ones which promises to take you on an adventure in a whole new world called Buttonland. Emma in Buttonland by Ulrike Rylance is a very sweet adventurous tale of a young girl named Emma.
First of all a huge thanks to the author, Ulrike Rylance, for sending over me a copy of her book in return for an honest review.
Emma comes to live with her uncle and aunt during her holidays in their house. Soon she figures out that her uncle and aunt have a room for their every single silly collections, like a snail shell room, catalogue room, ball-point room, button room, just to name a few, mostly used and thrown away junks. Her strict aunt didn't let Emma from entering into a particular room, ‘The button room’. But as we know, no one can hold their curiosities and eventually Emma manages to enter into the Button room. And hence all her adventure begins in the land called Buttonland, where the non-buttons are despised by the aristocratic queen and also where you'll find brotherly unity among the buttons and non-buttons, termed as hippies, where each and every non-button is trying to find their values in their lives.
The author has written this story in a very beautiful way by giving a back-story to each and every buttons and non-buttons, which makes the book more and more interesting. Also there is no chance of losing interest, as you go deeper into the tale and get intertwined with the story of Emma, it makes you more engaged to know whether Emma will ever get back to her normal human size, or will she ever return to her mother. So many quirky characters with their colourful as well some heart-breaking stories is what makes the book a wonderful children's book.
Anybody who fancies an adventure into this beautiful imaginary world, where you can find some talking buttons and stuff like that, then you shouldn't give a miss to this book. Although this book is especially for kids, but sometimes it’s good to break-free from your shell and try something different, which will leave you happy and cheerful at the end of the day.
PS: Watch out for the amazing illustrations done in every pages of this book, and for which all credit goes to Silke Leffler.
First of all a huge thanks to the author, Ulrike Rylance, for sending over me a copy of her book in return for an honest review.
Emma comes to live with her uncle and aunt during her holidays in their house. Soon she figures out that her uncle and aunt have a room for their every single silly collections, like a snail shell room, catalogue room, ball-point room, button room, just to name a few, mostly used and thrown away junks. Her strict aunt didn't let Emma from entering into a particular room, ‘The button room’. But as we know, no one can hold their curiosities and eventually Emma manages to enter into the Button room. And hence all her adventure begins in the land called Buttonland, where the non-buttons are despised by the aristocratic queen and also where you'll find brotherly unity among the buttons and non-buttons, termed as hippies, where each and every non-button is trying to find their values in their lives.
The author has written this story in a very beautiful way by giving a back-story to each and every buttons and non-buttons, which makes the book more and more interesting. Also there is no chance of losing interest, as you go deeper into the tale and get intertwined with the story of Emma, it makes you more engaged to know whether Emma will ever get back to her normal human size, or will she ever return to her mother. So many quirky characters with their colourful as well some heart-breaking stories is what makes the book a wonderful children's book.
Anybody who fancies an adventure into this beautiful imaginary world, where you can find some talking buttons and stuff like that, then you shouldn't give a miss to this book. Although this book is especially for kids, but sometimes it’s good to break-free from your shell and try something different, which will leave you happy and cheerful at the end of the day.
PS: Watch out for the amazing illustrations done in every pages of this book, and for which all credit goes to Silke Leffler.
March 6, 2014
26 NOV 2013 -- Can you believe it? Buttons who talk!? Well, I can. What fun this book shall be to read.
2 MAR 2014 - (Synopsis provided by Barnes & Noble - not my own.)
Emma is staying with her cranky Uncle Hubert and strict Aunt Mechthild during the holiday. At first it appears that this will be a long and dull visit, filled with lonely activities. However, Emma soon discovers that her aunt and uncle have countless rooms, each designated with their very own quirky collection. There is a room just for snail-shells and another for perfume samples. One evening Emma stumbles upon the Button Room, and suddenly a big gold button starts talking to her! When Emma touches it, she shrinks to button size and finds herself in the magical Buttonland.
No sooner has she arrived than the Button Police are after her in hot pursuit—it is their job, after all, to persecute all Non-Buttons. Luckily for Emma, she meets Louise, a silver button, and Gustav, a mother-of-pearl button. Together they try to help Emma back to the human world. That marks the beginning of a thrilling journey through the land of buttons. Emma in Buttonland is for any child with a love for magical worlds full of adventure, and for any parent who fondly remembers classic stories such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Gulliver's Travels.
Meet the Author -- Ulrike Rylance, born in 1968, studied both English and German in Leipzig and London. She has written numerous books for children and young readers. Her first novel, Elin Date für vier (A Date for Four), was recently published in 2010. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Washington State.
And the Illustrator -- Silke Leffler, born in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg in 1970, trained as a tailor and then studied textile design. Since 1998 she has been working as an illustrator for children's books and stationary.
So far, I am enjoying this little book a great deal. The color illustrations are wonderful and add so much to the reading experience. And, as I originally, what's not to love about a book with buttons who talk?
Loved this one! Buy it for your children and enjoy it for yourself.
2 MAR 2014 - (Synopsis provided by Barnes & Noble - not my own.)
Emma is staying with her cranky Uncle Hubert and strict Aunt Mechthild during the holiday. At first it appears that this will be a long and dull visit, filled with lonely activities. However, Emma soon discovers that her aunt and uncle have countless rooms, each designated with their very own quirky collection. There is a room just for snail-shells and another for perfume samples. One evening Emma stumbles upon the Button Room, and suddenly a big gold button starts talking to her! When Emma touches it, she shrinks to button size and finds herself in the magical Buttonland.
No sooner has she arrived than the Button Police are after her in hot pursuit—it is their job, after all, to persecute all Non-Buttons. Luckily for Emma, she meets Louise, a silver button, and Gustav, a mother-of-pearl button. Together they try to help Emma back to the human world. That marks the beginning of a thrilling journey through the land of buttons. Emma in Buttonland is for any child with a love for magical worlds full of adventure, and for any parent who fondly remembers classic stories such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Gulliver's Travels.
Meet the Author -- Ulrike Rylance, born in 1968, studied both English and German in Leipzig and London. She has written numerous books for children and young readers. Her first novel, Elin Date für vier (A Date for Four), was recently published in 2010. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Washington State.
And the Illustrator -- Silke Leffler, born in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg in 1970, trained as a tailor and then studied textile design. Since 1998 she has been working as an illustrator for children's books and stationary.
So far, I am enjoying this little book a great deal. The color illustrations are wonderful and add so much to the reading experience. And, as I originally, what's not to love about a book with buttons who talk?
Loved this one! Buy it for your children and enjoy it for yourself.
January 22, 2018
Adorable little book that I need to get a copy for Emma. Will be great to read in middle grade and beyond. Nothing better than finding a land inside a room.
September 21, 2013
With a pinch of The Borrowers and a sprinkling of The Wizard of Oz, this is a very sweet tale, perfect for any child with an interest in sewing or their granny's button box. With dear illustrations by Silke Leffler this would make a lovely bedtime read.
July 26, 2020
I enjoy books of different genres. There are so many ways to tell a story. Children's books can be wonderful with - able to rekindle a sense of wonder and hope. This book does not achieve its promise. The tale seems unduly long, unfocused and stream of consciousness. The book's initial charm drains away as it meanders along.
June 13, 2025
I love stories that weave (no pun intended) and reuse bits and pieces of things. This was cleverly done. And the story to go along was cute.
June 19, 2014
I won this book through Goodreads first reads program!
It has taken us awhile to get to it but my daughters (10 and 5) were finally able to read Emma in Buttonland as our nightly bedtime story.
A beautiful book inside and out! The writing and story are great, very fresh adventure story about a little girl dealing with crazy relatives who suddenly finds herself transported to this mysterious buttonland. The accompanying illustrations at the bottom of each page were nice as well.
Honestly my 5 year old would zone in and out of the story, might be just a bit to long for her to kept up with every night, however my 10 year old absolutely loved it! She begged me each night to kept reading past our two chapter limit. I enjoyed the story as well. My mother was German so it was really nice to read about the lederhosen buttons and explain this traditional German outfit to my daughters, a very nice surprise for me. We highly recommend Emma in Buttonland!
It has taken us awhile to get to it but my daughters (10 and 5) were finally able to read Emma in Buttonland as our nightly bedtime story.
A beautiful book inside and out! The writing and story are great, very fresh adventure story about a little girl dealing with crazy relatives who suddenly finds herself transported to this mysterious buttonland. The accompanying illustrations at the bottom of each page were nice as well.
Honestly my 5 year old would zone in and out of the story, might be just a bit to long for her to kept up with every night, however my 10 year old absolutely loved it! She begged me each night to kept reading past our two chapter limit. I enjoyed the story as well. My mother was German so it was really nice to read about the lederhosen buttons and explain this traditional German outfit to my daughters, a very nice surprise for me. We highly recommend Emma in Buttonland!
October 1, 2013
Emma in Buttonland by Ulrike Rylance is a sweet little story for children between the ages of 8 and 12. This magical narrative follows Emma, who is exploring cluttered rooms full of unusual collections, while she stays with her aunt and uncle. Whimsical portrayals of the various types of buttons, fabrics, the contents of a sewing box and even the debris we carelessly toss together allow children to stretch their imaginations. Larger life themes such as judging others by appearance and bullying are also tackled in a very creative way. The illustrations that grace the bottom of each page more the reader forward through the action. This book is a nice addition for your child's bookshelf. I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway in return for an honest review.
February 12, 2015
9-year-old daughter's review:
"5 stars. It was a mystery and it was so fun. And it was so interesting because I love to sew and it was all about sewing things. She's like me: she loves puzzles and sewing and she has my name!"
My review:
"Not a huge fan. Some of the vernacular was rather lowbrow and I always dislike that - especially in children's books (i.e. idiot, shut-up). I think it's lazy writing, as well as setting a poor example for children. The plot was kind of cute, it interested my daughter, and the main character's name is my daughter's name. Those are the best things I have to say about this book. 2 stars."
"5 stars. It was a mystery and it was so fun. And it was so interesting because I love to sew and it was all about sewing things. She's like me: she loves puzzles and sewing and she has my name!"
My review:
"Not a huge fan. Some of the vernacular was rather lowbrow and I always dislike that - especially in children's books (i.e. idiot, shut-up). I think it's lazy writing, as well as setting a poor example for children. The plot was kind of cute, it interested my daughter, and the main character's name is my daughter's name. Those are the best things I have to say about this book. 2 stars."
March 19, 2014
I won this book on Goodreads. I found this book to be very entertaining, fast read. I actually entered to win this book for my Great nieces, but I am going to have to hold onto it for a while because it is for children older than three years old. I guarantee that when they get old enough to read it, they will love it. It is very imaginative and well written. The characters are wonderful as well. I recommend this book for children of the "tween" age.
July 18, 2017
This is a very imaginative book, and I liked how it stretched the way my kids think. Most of the characters were flat. Nonetheless, reading this book was much requested by my six and five-year-old. And even my three-year-old had to see the pictures on the bottom of each page whenever I turned the page.
October 25, 2013
Part BORROWERS, part WIZARD OF OZ, this illustrated novel is quite the treat!
Emma suddenly finds herself the size of a button and in a land of lost buttons and other small things. She has to figure out how to get back to her actual size.
Review next week on the blog.
Emma suddenly finds herself the size of a button and in a land of lost buttons and other small things. She has to figure out how to get back to her actual size.
Review next week on the blog.
December 20, 2014
Ich habe mich wunderbar mit diesem Kinderbuch unterhalten gefühlt, auch wenn ich über das empfohlene Kinderalter schon weit hinaus bin. :) Fritzi Haberlandt liest (und lebt) den Text ganz wunderbar und ich denke - ich kenne ja nur die Hörbuchform -, dass dies die Geschichte noch einmal hebt.
July 29, 2016
Reminded me of Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz. There are some good lessons here - value of people and asking for help.
December 29, 2016
delightful story, creative and endearing
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews