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On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson
An inspiring and kid-accessible biography of one of the world's most famous poets.
Emily Dickinson, who famously wrote "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul," is brought to life in this moving story. In a small New England town lives Emily Dickinson, a girl in love with small things—a flower petal, a bird, a ray of light, a word. In those small things, her brilliant imagination can see the wide world—and in her words, she takes wing. From celebrated children's author Jennifer Berne comes a lyrical and lovely account of the life of Emily her courage, her faith, and her gift to the world. With Dickinson's own inimitable poetry woven throughout, this lyrical biography is not just a tale of prodigious talent, but also of the power we have to transform ourselves and to reach one another when we speak from the soul.
• Fantastic educational opportunity to share Emily Dickinson's story and poetry with young readers
• An inspirational real-life story that will appeal to children and adults alike.
• Jennifer Berne is the author of critically acclaimed children's biographies of Albert Einstein and Jacques Cousteau.
Fans who enjoyed Emily Emily Dickinson and her Poetic Beginnings, Emily and Carlo, and Uncle Emily will love On Wings of Words.
• Books for kids ages 5–8
• Poetry for children
• Biographies for children
Jennifer Berne is the award-winning author of the biographies A Story of Jacques Cousteau and On a Beam of A Story of Albert Einstein . She lives in Copake, New York.
Becca Stadtlander is the illustrator of many children's and young adult publications, including Sleep Tight Farm . She was born and raised in Covington, Kentucky.
Emily Dickinson, who famously wrote "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul," is brought to life in this moving story. In a small New England town lives Emily Dickinson, a girl in love with small things—a flower petal, a bird, a ray of light, a word. In those small things, her brilliant imagination can see the wide world—and in her words, she takes wing. From celebrated children's author Jennifer Berne comes a lyrical and lovely account of the life of Emily her courage, her faith, and her gift to the world. With Dickinson's own inimitable poetry woven throughout, this lyrical biography is not just a tale of prodigious talent, but also of the power we have to transform ourselves and to reach one another when we speak from the soul.
• Fantastic educational opportunity to share Emily Dickinson's story and poetry with young readers
• An inspirational real-life story that will appeal to children and adults alike.
• Jennifer Berne is the author of critically acclaimed children's biographies of Albert Einstein and Jacques Cousteau.
Fans who enjoyed Emily Emily Dickinson and her Poetic Beginnings, Emily and Carlo, and Uncle Emily will love On Wings of Words.
• Books for kids ages 5–8
• Poetry for children
• Biographies for children
Jennifer Berne is the award-winning author of the biographies A Story of Jacques Cousteau and On a Beam of A Story of Albert Einstein . She lives in Copake, New York.
Becca Stadtlander is the illustrator of many children's and young adult publications, including Sleep Tight Farm . She was born and raised in Covington, Kentucky.
46 pages, Hardcover
First published February 18, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
February 26, 2021
Author Jennifer Berne and illustrator Becca Stadtlander join forces in this gorgeous picture-book biography of poet Emily Dickinson. Following her story from her birth in 1830 through her death fifty-six years later, the narrative combines Berne's description of the events of Dickinson's life with quotations from her poetry. These quotations often highlight the central emotional motif of a given observation, whether it be about the poet's preoccupation with death, or her love for the natural world around her. The after matter includes more information about Dickinson, a note about exploring poetry, and notes from both author and illustrator...
On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson is the first book I have read from Berne, but the third from Stadtlander, after Eugenie Doyle's Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter and David Elliott's On the Wing . I initially sought it out, in fact, because I was looking for more of Stadtlander's work, and I was certainly not disappointed on that score! The illustrations here are simply gorgeous, with a lovely color palette, beautifully expressive figures (both human and animal), and some very creative compositions, visually speaking. There were so many scenes where the artwork really worked to explore the abstract ideas in the text, but one of my favorites was the two-page spread showing Emily and her love of books:
Just gorgeous! The text is engaging, and strikes a nice balance between the informative writing by Berne and the creative poetry of Dickinson herself. Recommended to young poets, to picture-book readers looking for titles about Emily Dickinson, and to fans of Becca Stadtlander's artwork.
On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson is the first book I have read from Berne, but the third from Stadtlander, after Eugenie Doyle's Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter and David Elliott's On the Wing . I initially sought it out, in fact, because I was looking for more of Stadtlander's work, and I was certainly not disappointed on that score! The illustrations here are simply gorgeous, with a lovely color palette, beautifully expressive figures (both human and animal), and some very creative compositions, visually speaking. There were so many scenes where the artwork really worked to explore the abstract ideas in the text, but one of my favorites was the two-page spread showing Emily and her love of books:
Just gorgeous! The text is engaging, and strikes a nice balance between the informative writing by Berne and the creative poetry of Dickinson herself. Recommended to young poets, to picture-book readers looking for titles about Emily Dickinson, and to fans of Becca Stadtlander's artwork.
August 13, 2020
Featured in grandma reads session. . .
We talked about poetry today - about Emily Dickinson's work, specifically. The book starts out with a riddle poem, and the bigs struggled, but the littles got it right away:
It reaches to the Fence -
It wraps it, rail by rail,
Till it is lost in Fleeces -
It flings a Crystal Veil
(The picture on the first page was the Dickinson house, at night with a heavy snow falling. . .the bigs were studying the words. . .the littles yelled out, "snow!").
The author has captured snippets of Emily's life that were very relatable to these kids. Mentions of her fears and concerns, how she loved her brother and said of him, ". . .there was always such a Hurrah wherever he was, her wish to ride a grasshopper, and so many other ways she wanted to relate to nature.
The illustrations fit the words and setting so well, reflecting Emily's New England world, as well as her flights of fancy.
The author writes that Emily's ". . . .religious school principal separated the class into "Hopers" and "No-Hopers," Emily was put in the group without hope. Yet Emily did have hope. Her own kind: Hope is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all.
The author continues "So - with her hope - she sought her truth. I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.
5 stars. (Follow the lanterns. . . .)
We talked about poetry today - about Emily Dickinson's work, specifically. The book starts out with a riddle poem, and the bigs struggled, but the littles got it right away:
It reaches to the Fence -
It wraps it, rail by rail,
Till it is lost in Fleeces -
It flings a Crystal Veil
(The picture on the first page was the Dickinson house, at night with a heavy snow falling. . .the bigs were studying the words. . .the littles yelled out, "snow!").
The author has captured snippets of Emily's life that were very relatable to these kids. Mentions of her fears and concerns, how she loved her brother and said of him, ". . .there was always such a Hurrah wherever he was, her wish to ride a grasshopper, and so many other ways she wanted to relate to nature.
The illustrations fit the words and setting so well, reflecting Emily's New England world, as well as her flights of fancy.
The author writes that Emily's ". . . .religious school principal separated the class into "Hopers" and "No-Hopers," Emily was put in the group without hope. Yet Emily did have hope. Her own kind: Hope is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all.
The author continues "So - with her hope - she sought her truth. I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.
5 stars. (Follow the lanterns. . . .)
March 30, 2020
What a stunning picture book autobiography of Emily Dickinson! While younger children will appreciate the artwork, this book will also be adored by older learners and adults. Lines of her poetry are shared throughout the pages and the soft watercolor artwork perfectly matches the feelings she expressed and the struggles she faced while attempting to come to terms with all the unanswerable questions. The back matter shares more about her poetry along with books by and about Emily Dickinson. The artwork was created with gouache and watercolor.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
May 27, 2020
I'm never sure how much of an audience there is for picture-book biographies of poets, but at least I read and enjoy them. I love Dickinson, and this biography manages to walk just the right line between lyrical and incendiary, like Dickinson herself.
March 23, 2020
Stunning
June 25, 2024
A lovely look at the life behind Dickinson’s poetry.
RATL24: Poetry
RATL24: Poetry
April 23, 2021
Beautifully illustrated with just the right amount of text to a page, this picture book biography is great to share with young poets. It tells how Emily lived a secluded life enjoying her family, close friends, and the natural world. In books and in her mind, she experienced much that she described in her poems. Though Dickinson published few in her lifetime, her multitude of poems was discovered after she died. They speak to all of us today.
I think it can sometimes be intimidating to wade through Emily Dickinson's poetry, yet what stands out to me about this book was how relevant the selections from her poems are. One page says "Emily saw the inner world was bigger than all the world outside" and is paired with her verse:
I think it can sometimes be intimidating to wade through Emily Dickinson's poetry, yet what stands out to me about this book was how relevant the selections from her poems are. One page says "Emily saw the inner world was bigger than all the world outside" and is paired with her verse:
"The Brain—is wider than the Sky—
For—put them side by side—
The one the other will contain
With ease—and You—beside—"
Amazing!
This book serves as an excellent introduction to Emily Dickinson for new readers. A "Discovering the World of Poetry" section at the end encourages readers to try writing poems one step at a time.
Elizabeth L. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
February 26, 2020
Beautiful picture book that explores Emily's life and poetry with excerpts from her poems and imaginative illustrations. The author's love for poetry and writing, and for Emily's poetry specifically, shines through on every page. The creative, even fantastical illustrations will get young readers to think about the relationship between vision and creation, words and imagination, poetry and the essence of life. Look carefully for the butterflies that appear on most, although not all, of the pages.
"In the name of the Bee-
And of the Butterfly-
And of the Breeze-Amen!"
If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts, do so. The docents have a genuine love of their subject and her work, and will illuminate her life and her poetry for any visitor. I imagine that this beautiful new book is a welcome addition to their gift shop!
"In the name of the Bee-
And of the Butterfly-
And of the Breeze-Amen!"
If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts, do so. The docents have a genuine love of their subject and her work, and will illuminate her life and her poetry for any visitor. I imagine that this beautiful new book is a welcome addition to their gift shop!
January 5, 2021
The gorgeous illustrations incorporate both historical reality and Dickinson's flights of fancy, and the lyrical text weaves in quotations from her poetry. This is a lovely picture book biography that covers a substantial amount of information about Dickinson's personality, life, and work, and I would recommend it to both children and adults. The author's note also includes ideas for children about how to begin reading poetry and write their own poems.
February 27, 2020
An accessibly written, attractively illustrated picture book biography depicting Dickinson's evolution as a poet. Berne makes great use of Dickinson's writings in the narrative.
April 20, 2025
I read this short but impactful book while visiting The Poetry Foundation in Chicago. The beautiful cover caught my eye, and when I learned that it was about Emily Dickinson, I knew I had to sit down and read it right then. The book does a nice job of integrating facts about Emily's life, lines from Emily's poetry, and imaginative illustrations to highlight the words. I would actually like to own a copy of this book so that I can refer to the gentle watercolor illustrations whenever I need inspiration. I have always found Dickinson fascinating because she is one of the few examples of a female hermit who seemed to be satisfied with her life; I would love to read more stories of introspective females who enjoy their own company.
August 11, 2020
A beautiful picture book biography that introduces young readers to Emily Dickinson. The informative art gives color and texture to her life and writing. A lovely book to include in elementary units on Emily Dickinson or 19th century poets.
May 13, 2020
This is a lovely picture book for introducing Emily Dickinson and her poetry to middle grade kids. The Illustrations are just beautiful.
June 26, 2020
I thought the watercolor and gouache illustrations did a wonderful job of depicting Emily's love of nature, especially, the scenes of nature in her silhouette and in her eyes. I also liked the depictions of her riding a grasshopper and riding a butterfly; and emerging from a rose. So, I think the book does a great job of melding text and illustration together.
October 22, 2020
Beautiful to read and the illustrations really captured the feel of Emily and her poetry.
August 6, 2020
Beautiful Illustrations
November 22, 2020
Beautiful illustrations! I love how each page included part of the story and part of her words. It was a beautiful interpretation of her life.
June 18, 2022
Berne brings Emily to life making extensive use of her poetry and Stadtlander lovingly portrays it.
Backmatter includes a further description of Emily's poetry as puzzles and includes rereading. Another section reading, writing and sharing to Discover the World of Poetry. (My on quip is that books by and about Emily seem adult.) Author's and Illustrator's notes convey their love of Emily and her poetry.
Backmatter includes a further description of Emily's poetry as puzzles and includes rereading. Another section reading, writing and sharing to Discover the World of Poetry. (My on quip is that books by and about Emily seem adult.) Author's and Illustrator's notes convey their love of Emily and her poetry.
February 11, 2020
Words take flight, allowing young readers not only to discover Emily Dickinson but experience the beauty and meaning behind some of her poems.
This book is a lovely way to introduce young readers/listeners to Emily Dickinson. Not only are small phrases from her various poems sprinkled between the pages, but the reader learns who she was and what her life was like. At the end, there's a short insight into how Emily's poems transcend time, tips on how readers can grab a pen and become poets themselves, as well as a meaningful note from both the author and the illustrator. These last two really add a nice touch, which older readers (as in adults) are sure to enjoy and find interesting.
Creating a biography of someone for the younger audience isn't always an easy task, but this book does a great job. It sticks to the basics of Emily's life and doesn't get lost in details. I especially appreciated that more than one page was spent on her childhood, allowing readers/listeners to connect with her before going on to her later years. Even then, the author describes Emily's life in a way which won't alienate young listeners.
Emily's poems are often more than just their superficial words...and even then, they are written in poetic and an older language style. This book has a couple of lines from her poems on every page but doesn't go into literary depth. Thank goodness. Instead, the listeners/readers can enjoy the words and language. Better yet, the author writes about Emily's life in such a way that allows the poem lines to meld in. If Emily views flowers in her garden, the poem presented speaks of flowers. This style adds depth and a little understanding without growing overwhelming.
The younger end of the intended audience may not always catch everything, especially when it comes to the poems. But it's not necessary. The beauty of the poems flows easily and simply gives, even these readers, exposure to the poems and will draw their interest.
The illustrations round this book off with finesse. The illustrator has taken time to research the history and allows that to show on every page. Even this is never overpowering but slides naturally along with Emily's development. The scenes are simple enough that even readers today will connect with them, and they offer enough details to make each page interesting.
Summed up, I'm giving a huge thumbs up to this one. It's not intended for really young, picture book fans but will resonate with grades K through 4.
I received an ARC and enjoyed this one quite a bit. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
This book is a lovely way to introduce young readers/listeners to Emily Dickinson. Not only are small phrases from her various poems sprinkled between the pages, but the reader learns who she was and what her life was like. At the end, there's a short insight into how Emily's poems transcend time, tips on how readers can grab a pen and become poets themselves, as well as a meaningful note from both the author and the illustrator. These last two really add a nice touch, which older readers (as in adults) are sure to enjoy and find interesting.
Creating a biography of someone for the younger audience isn't always an easy task, but this book does a great job. It sticks to the basics of Emily's life and doesn't get lost in details. I especially appreciated that more than one page was spent on her childhood, allowing readers/listeners to connect with her before going on to her later years. Even then, the author describes Emily's life in a way which won't alienate young listeners.
Emily's poems are often more than just their superficial words...and even then, they are written in poetic and an older language style. This book has a couple of lines from her poems on every page but doesn't go into literary depth. Thank goodness. Instead, the listeners/readers can enjoy the words and language. Better yet, the author writes about Emily's life in such a way that allows the poem lines to meld in. If Emily views flowers in her garden, the poem presented speaks of flowers. This style adds depth and a little understanding without growing overwhelming.
The younger end of the intended audience may not always catch everything, especially when it comes to the poems. But it's not necessary. The beauty of the poems flows easily and simply gives, even these readers, exposure to the poems and will draw their interest.
The illustrations round this book off with finesse. The illustrator has taken time to research the history and allows that to show on every page. Even this is never overpowering but slides naturally along with Emily's development. The scenes are simple enough that even readers today will connect with them, and they offer enough details to make each page interesting.
Summed up, I'm giving a huge thumbs up to this one. It's not intended for really young, picture book fans but will resonate with grades K through 4.
I received an ARC and enjoyed this one quite a bit. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
July 18, 2020
Stunning illustrations! The two-page eye spread captivated me! I also loved the one with the profile. I enjoyed the biographical story with Emily Dickinson's own poetry scattered throughout.
March 15, 2020
Emily Dickinson grew up in a small New England town. As a little girl, she explored the fields and gardens around her home, discovering new words and ways of thinking about the world around her. Her feelings were deeper than most people’s with higher joys and lower sadness. Her thoughts here also deeper, including her love for so much around her. She found sorrows and looked for solutions in school and church, but refused to put her faith in things she could not see. She had her own brand of hope, one that led her to her own truth too. That truth came to life in her poems, not shared with anyone, just with herself. They allowed her to express her feelings and the way she looked at the world, puzzle through things, and ask questions that could not be readily answered. Those same words now inspire so many readers to do the same, find their own voice, look at the world from their own lens: just as Emily did.
Berne writes her prose with a thoughtfulness that allows her to intersperse many of Dickinson’s own words in the text. Dickinson’s poems fly on the page, lifting it up in the way only she can. Berne then serves as her foundational story, offering clarity about Dickinson’s life and then pairing those with poems. It’s a delightful way to introduce young readers to poetry and to Emily Dickinson herself.
The illustrations have a lot of historically accurate elements like the Dickinson home and surroundings. Still, my favorite illustrations are the ones where Emily’s imagination soars along with the illustrations which become whimsical and wild.
A grand look at a great poet’s life and work. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
Berne writes her prose with a thoughtfulness that allows her to intersperse many of Dickinson’s own words in the text. Dickinson’s poems fly on the page, lifting it up in the way only she can. Berne then serves as her foundational story, offering clarity about Dickinson’s life and then pairing those with poems. It’s a delightful way to introduce young readers to poetry and to Emily Dickinson herself.
The illustrations have a lot of historically accurate elements like the Dickinson home and surroundings. Still, my favorite illustrations are the ones where Emily’s imagination soars along with the illustrations which become whimsical and wild.
A grand look at a great poet’s life and work. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
March 26, 2020
The author of Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau and On A Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein and the illustrator of Sleep Tight Farm, all books I love, bring another beautiful book, about Emily Dickinson. It feels as if you need to SEE and READ this gorgeous book, perhaps to introduce Emily to young students, perhaps to learn a bit more about Emily that you didn't know or had forgotten. Here she is as a young girl where every part of nature 'seemed to speak to her'. As the story is woven, Berne inserts Emily's own words. In this beginning, we read "The bee is not afraid of me, I know the butterfly" while Emily walks out into her home's garden, surrounded by flowers, butterflies, and rabbits. There are some dark moments alluding to loss and the way she was thought of in her town. Those are shown poignantly by Becca Stadtlander like in a double-page spread of Emily, out this time on a bluff overlooking a river, "I am out with lanterns,/looking for myself."
Berne takes readers to a poignant ending, showing Emily's sister's discovery of the hundreds of poems left in drawers, trunks, cabinets, etc. She adds a note about Emily's poetry, a page for readers about "Discovering The World of Poetry", and her own author's note. Stadtlander adds an illustrator's note where she shares that her illustrations are based on real parts of Emily's life, like the house in which she lived all her life. It is a marvelous book!
Berne takes readers to a poignant ending, showing Emily's sister's discovery of the hundreds of poems left in drawers, trunks, cabinets, etc. She adds a note about Emily's poetry, a page for readers about "Discovering The World of Poetry", and her own author's note. Stadtlander adds an illustrator's note where she shares that her illustrations are based on real parts of Emily's life, like the house in which she lived all her life. It is a marvelous book!
March 14, 2020
Although Emily Dickinson died in 1886, her words live on in the memorable poems she wrote during her lifetime. In this picture book filled with gouache and watercolor illustrations, readers learn more about this influential poet and her view on the world. An intensely curious child, Emily loved nature and spending time outdoors as well as reading. As she grew older, she tried to make sense of the unpleasant things she saw around her, including illness, suffering, and death. All of these keen interests made their way into the poems she wrote, many of which focus on nature and the afterlife. I particularly liked how the author weaves in lines from those poems as she tells Emily's story. Readers will feel as though they know what it might have been like to be Emily during those times, looking for answers to hard questions, and regarded as different from those around her. I wish the author had provided a timeline of Emily's life with the main events listed. Whenever I think of her, I glory in the depth and simplicity of her poems, perhaps just as contradictory as she was, and I marvel that those lines she wrote so long ago still have the power to move readers today and make them think. The colorful butterflies that are found in the book's pages are a fitting visual tribute to someone whose spirit seemed to be set free through her words.
September 17, 2020
An inspiring and kid-accessible biography of one of the world's most famous poets.
Emily Dickinson, who famously wrote "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul," is brought to life in this moving story. In a small New England town lives Emily Dickinson, a girl in love with small things—a flower petal, a bird, a ray of light, a word. In those small things, her brilliant imagination can see the wide world—and in her words, she takes wing. From celebrated children's author Jennifer Berne comes a lyrical and lovely account of the life of Emily Dickinson: her courage, her faith, and her gift to the world. With Dickinson's own inimitable poetry woven throughout, this lyrical biography is not just a tale of prodigious talent, but also of the power we have to transform ourselves and to reach one another when we speak from the soul.
• Fantastic educational opportunity to share Emily Dickinson's story and poetry with young readers
• An inspirational real-life story that will appeal to children and adults alike.
• Jennifer Berne is the author of critically acclaimed children's biographies of Albert Einstein and Jacques Cousteau.
Fans who enjoyed Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and her Poetic Beginnings, Emily and Carlo, and Uncle Emily will love On Wings of Words.
Emily Dickinson, who famously wrote "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul," is brought to life in this moving story. In a small New England town lives Emily Dickinson, a girl in love with small things—a flower petal, a bird, a ray of light, a word. In those small things, her brilliant imagination can see the wide world—and in her words, she takes wing. From celebrated children's author Jennifer Berne comes a lyrical and lovely account of the life of Emily Dickinson: her courage, her faith, and her gift to the world. With Dickinson's own inimitable poetry woven throughout, this lyrical biography is not just a tale of prodigious talent, but also of the power we have to transform ourselves and to reach one another when we speak from the soul.
• Fantastic educational opportunity to share Emily Dickinson's story and poetry with young readers
• An inspirational real-life story that will appeal to children and adults alike.
• Jennifer Berne is the author of critically acclaimed children's biographies of Albert Einstein and Jacques Cousteau.
Fans who enjoyed Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and her Poetic Beginnings, Emily and Carlo, and Uncle Emily will love On Wings of Words.
August 21, 2020
On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson is a biographical children's picture book written by Jennifer Berne and illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. It is a biographical introduction to the unusual life of 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson.
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was an American poet.
Berne's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Berne's finely chosen words echo Dickinson's poetic proclivities. Backmatter includes notes from the author and artist and notes on Dickinson's poetry. Stadtlander's modern folkloric gouache and watercolor illustrations seamlessly merge realism and fantasy, capturing fine details such as floral-sprigged fabrics and rendering whimsical scenes.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Berne paints a picture of a curious child who, as she grows, finds her own way to make sense of a world holding both trouble and joy. Lines from Dickinson's poems punctuate Berne's text, reflecting themes of nature, wonder, and joy.
All in all, On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson is a stunning biography in both prose and art of Emily Dickerson.
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was an American poet.
Berne's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Berne's finely chosen words echo Dickinson's poetic proclivities. Backmatter includes notes from the author and artist and notes on Dickinson's poetry. Stadtlander's modern folkloric gouache and watercolor illustrations seamlessly merge realism and fantasy, capturing fine details such as floral-sprigged fabrics and rendering whimsical scenes.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Berne paints a picture of a curious child who, as she grows, finds her own way to make sense of a world holding both trouble and joy. Lines from Dickinson's poems punctuate Berne's text, reflecting themes of nature, wonder, and joy.
All in all, On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson is a stunning biography in both prose and art of Emily Dickerson.
November 4, 2020
If you are familiar with Emily Dickinson, this book is for you. If you are not familiar with her or her work, this book is for you. This 19th century poet and her work still have relevance and meaning today. The author, Berne, has used a tiny sample of Dickinson’s writings to illustrate her life.
The text is spread out across the pages, sometimes phrases, single sentences, or short paragraphs, making the content accessible. Historical accuracy in the soft illustrations is maintained where possible’ many of the illustrations place Emily outdoors, giving the reader a sense of her love of nature. Pieces of her poems are handwritten in the endpages and on occassional pages, deepening the reader’s understanding and appreciation for her work.
Paired with other picture books about Dickinson, such as “Emily” by Michael Bedard, and “My Uncle Emily” by Jane Yolen, middle elementary readers (and older readers!) will enjoy a multi-faceted picture of this poet of whom much is speculated. This would also be very useful for figurative language studies.
The text is spread out across the pages, sometimes phrases, single sentences, or short paragraphs, making the content accessible. Historical accuracy in the soft illustrations is maintained where possible’ many of the illustrations place Emily outdoors, giving the reader a sense of her love of nature. Pieces of her poems are handwritten in the endpages and on occassional pages, deepening the reader’s understanding and appreciation for her work.
Paired with other picture books about Dickinson, such as “Emily” by Michael Bedard, and “My Uncle Emily” by Jane Yolen, middle elementary readers (and older readers!) will enjoy a multi-faceted picture of this poet of whom much is speculated. This would also be very useful for figurative language studies.
February 26, 2022
A delicate, beautiful introduction to the life of Dickinson for all ages.
Weaving together poems by Dickinson with some of the few known facts and observations about her youth, readers and young poets will get a feeling for this remarkable woman who published a dozen or so poems during her lifetime, but left behind a legacy of hundreds.
Berne's quiet, poetic text meshes well with Stadtlander's delicate artwork that is strong on the use of colors and textures often seen in New England paintings of the time - the things that Dickinson may very well have seen when alive. The details are stunning - from the front of her family home to the carving on the bed she was born in to the blue dresses she wore (until she changed to white).
A note about Dickinson's poetry (and the importance of rereading it for more meaning), hints for study of poetry, and author and illustrator notes round out the backmatter.
Highly Recommended for grades 3-6. Also worthy of being included in a unit of study about Dickinson.
Weaving together poems by Dickinson with some of the few known facts and observations about her youth, readers and young poets will get a feeling for this remarkable woman who published a dozen or so poems during her lifetime, but left behind a legacy of hundreds.
Berne's quiet, poetic text meshes well with Stadtlander's delicate artwork that is strong on the use of colors and textures often seen in New England paintings of the time - the things that Dickinson may very well have seen when alive. The details are stunning - from the front of her family home to the carving on the bed she was born in to the blue dresses she wore (until she changed to white).
A note about Dickinson's poetry (and the importance of rereading it for more meaning), hints for study of poetry, and author and illustrator notes round out the backmatter.
Highly Recommended for grades 3-6. Also worthy of being included in a unit of study about Dickinson.
October 2, 2020
Reviewing as a part of my Fall 2020 kids' books reviews!
I was surprised to see Emily Dickinson's life portrayed in a children's book, especially in one that goes into her grief and darker moments. This book is not afraid of Dickinson's sadness, and portrays it very plainly, and gently (which is what I think is most important). The painted illustrations range in season and mood, according to whatever line of poetry or time of life is referenced, and are so saturated and gorgeous across each page (Becca Stadtlander, I am slowly learning, is one of my favourite contemporary children's illustrators).
I think this is a great way to expose kids (middle elementary or older, most likely) to a literary figure and the universally understood wonder of Emily Dickinson's poems, and encourage them to express themselves through poetry and gentleness, to be extraordinary even when they are feeling sad or defeated.
Hardcover from my place of work, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida.
I was surprised to see Emily Dickinson's life portrayed in a children's book, especially in one that goes into her grief and darker moments. This book is not afraid of Dickinson's sadness, and portrays it very plainly, and gently (which is what I think is most important). The painted illustrations range in season and mood, according to whatever line of poetry or time of life is referenced, and are so saturated and gorgeous across each page (Becca Stadtlander, I am slowly learning, is one of my favourite contemporary children's illustrators).
I think this is a great way to expose kids (middle elementary or older, most likely) to a literary figure and the universally understood wonder of Emily Dickinson's poems, and encourage them to express themselves through poetry and gentleness, to be extraordinary even when they are feeling sad or defeated.
Hardcover from my place of work, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida.
December 8, 2024
I love this. The Artwork is soooo good. It's Gouache and watercolor. Many of the pictures are historically accurate and then the others are surreal masterpieces like the cover that make Emily's poetry just soar. Some of the pictures bring the poetry to life.
Emily was such an interesting person. She is as mysterious as her poems at times. Why did she withdraw from people so much. Was she really just lost inside her creative world. I'm sort of jealous. I could totally be a shut-in like she did, if only I could. She was able to do it financially. After she died she became famous as her sister found her poems and sold them. They are still everywhere.
She seemed pretty normal growing up, just interested in words and nature. She was a thinker. How wonderful. I enjoyed this book. I might need to find a book of her poems and read a few now. My interest was wetted.
I think kids interested in poetry will find this a good starting point to get into Emily.
Emily was such an interesting person. She is as mysterious as her poems at times. Why did she withdraw from people so much. Was she really just lost inside her creative world. I'm sort of jealous. I could totally be a shut-in like she did, if only I could. She was able to do it financially. After she died she became famous as her sister found her poems and sold them. They are still everywhere.
She seemed pretty normal growing up, just interested in words and nature. She was a thinker. How wonderful. I enjoyed this book. I might need to find a book of her poems and read a few now. My interest was wetted.
I think kids interested in poetry will find this a good starting point to get into Emily.
March 12, 2020
Poetry is layers of response to sensory experiences. It puts into words what others may see, hear, smell, taste or touch but are unable to express verbally. Poetry presents the here and now sometimes wrapped in the past with the ability to be revealed in the future. It is the beating heart of a culture. Poetry is us.
The words of any one poet tend to influence a shifting number of people. A poet whose work is most notable above many others is that of Emily Dickinson. In On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life Of Emily Dickinson (Chronicle Books, February 18, 2020) written by Jennifer Berne with illustrations by Becca Stadtlander, we are presented with a lovely view of this woman and her work. It is a composition of moments in her life, her words and impressive images.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
The words of any one poet tend to influence a shifting number of people. A poet whose work is most notable above many others is that of Emily Dickinson. In On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life Of Emily Dickinson (Chronicle Books, February 18, 2020) written by Jennifer Berne with illustrations by Becca Stadtlander, we are presented with a lovely view of this woman and her work. It is a composition of moments in her life, her words and impressive images.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
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