On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson

K-Gr 3–The author uses lyrical text, direct quotations, and illustrated metaphors to capture the life and mind of Emily Dickinson. This picture book biography illuminates the poet’s life and creativity in an accessible way for young poetry enthusiasts. Berne covers Dickinson’s early years and development as a writer and truth seeker. Dickinson’s fascination with nature, books, people, and religion is emphasized. While some of the details surrounding her life events are vague (such as the sorrows she encountered or her experience with her very religious school principal), the text offers a compelling and reflective affirmation of the literary icon. Dickinson’s own words are interspersed among the expressive narrative; there is an appropriate delineation between Berne’s words and Dickinson’s by using different fonts for each author. The font representing Dickinson mimics handwriting. Stadtlander’s striking gouache and watercolor illustrations are as dreamy and enigmatic as the subject herself. An afterword offers more information about Dickinson’s poetry, an early introduction to the genre itself, and additional resources.