Years ago I was at the Canadian Children’s Book Centre trying to get work done (but not wanting to work at all). When I finally surrendered to not working, I looked out the window and heard a voice in my head say “Emma May went out one day”. I wrote the line on a piece of paper and by the end of that week I had Emma May’s Magical Day, the first story of the series. And now there are four stories and many adventures that followed from that day. For me the stories are a reminder that you never know where the creative path is going to take you.
Emma May’s Magical Day
Emma May’s Magical Day – excerpt
In Emma May’s Magical Day we follow the adventures of a young girl, Emma who “goes out one day to find what she can find. She has shoes for walking, lips for talking and curiosity on her mind”. With the only rule being to put one foot after the other, Emma discovers a sea of ants on a boat building mission, a snail on rollerblades and a wise and mischievous butterfly named Olive.
Emma May’s Rainy Day
Emma May’s Rainy Day – excerpt
The ants are back to test out their boats and take the white water ride of a lifetime. Rain turns the day grey for Emma but with a few reminders from Olive or the wise ant named Bamboo (with the wild hair-do) we see that with any day or situation there is always a choice:
Emma May Met Her Match One Day
Emma May met her match one day – excerpt
In the third story of the Emma May series Emma takes a wrong turn and through a disheartening situation she finds a ray of light. She discovers Thomas is up in a tree with binoculars to see the festivities that are about to begin. With a few teeth missing from his welcoming grin and his glasses not quite straight on his face he welcomes Emma with humour and warmth and together they embark on a gigANTic adventure:
Emma May’s Christmas Day
Emma May’s Christmas Day – excerpt
This heartwarming Christmas story follows Emma May’s many attempts at writing her Christmas list. She starts early, in May, to make sure her list reaches the North Pole when Santa is rested and alert, but come September realizes it is outdated and must start again. Then October falls just like the leaves and November brings a chill, the first snow comes December 12th, the earth is white and still.