Today I’m sharing four picture books about a famous Canadian artist. I knew that Emily Carr (1871-1945) lived in British Columbia and painted pictures of totem poles, but didn’t know much more about her life and art. If you pick up these picture books you can learn – along with me – about her painting lessons, her apartment house, and her pet monkey.
The Art Room by Susan Vande Griek, illustrated by Pascal Milelli (Douglas &McIntyre, 2002)
The Art Room is told from the perspective of a child taking art lessons from Emily Carr, in her house and out in the field. It captures the experience with descriptive language and shows how Emily Carr inspired the children to “see with eyes that were wide.” Rich oil paintings make this short book a pleasure to read. There’s no author’s note, so you’ll have to look elsewhere to learn more about Carr’s life. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
Emily Carr: At the Edge of the World by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Maxwell Newhouse (Tundra Books, 2003)
This straightforward biography is well-written and engaging, showing the ups and downs of Emily Carr’s life, her personality, and the maturing of her art style. It is illustrated with both black and white drawings and reproductions of her paintings. It includes a timeline, list of painting sources, and bibliography of over 20 sources. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Emily Carr’s Attic by Diane Carmel Leger, illustrated by Michael Leger (Orca Book Publishers, 2006)
This fanciful story of art and friendship tells of a young boy staying in Emily Carr’s house after her death. The landlord lets him play in the attic where he encounters her pets one by one and learns how to draw them. The illustrations are rather pale but nice. The author’s note is a brief biography, especially about the period where Emily managed the apartment house with her pets to keep her company before her career took off. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
When Emily Carr Met Woo by Monica Kulling, illustrated by Dean Griffiths (Pajama Press, 2014)
This picture books centres on one part of Emily Carr’s life, before people appreciated her art, and she had to rent rooms, hook rugs, and make pottery to pay the bills. The focus of the story is the near death experience of her monkey Woo and it ends with them painting in the forest, peaceful and free. The illustrations are colourful and simple. The book concludes with a six-paragraph bio, plus a photo of Carr with friends and pets outside her trailer. Recommended for ages 4 to 7.