Reviews

Emily and Carlo by Catherine Stock, Marty Rhodes Figley

nerfherder86's review against another edition

4.0

Apparently Emily Dickinson owned a Newfoundland dog. I did not know that, and found it an interesting new fact to learn about this poet. This picture book, illustrated in beautiful watercolor paintings, relates how Emily was given Carlo as a gift and how he was her beloved (and often only) companion for for sixteen years. The text sprinkles quotes from her poems and letters throughout, and ends with a brief author's note and a source list. Nice look at how dogs can inspire and comfort.

tashrow's review

5.0

When Emily Dickinson was 19 years old, she was lonely in the big home in New England since her siblings were off at school. So her father bought her a puppy that she named Carlo. The quiet and reclusive poet was an odd match with her bounding, huge Newfoundland. Carlo gave Emily more courage to be out and about, visiting others. He was with her always, a large drooling dog. They explored Amherst together with its woods, meadows and ponds. Their time together inspired her poetry, as shown in this book through stanzas that she wrote. This friendship with a dog makes this literary figure much more human and approachable for children. It’s a very special way to see an author.

Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.