Emily's Blue Period review

Emily wants to be an artist. She likes painting and loves the way artists like Pablo Picasso mixed things up.Emily's life is a little mixed up right now. Her dad doesn't live at home anymore, and it feels like everything around her is changing.“When Picasso was sad for a while,” says Emily, “he only painted in blue. And now I am in my blue period.”It might last quite some time.(goodreads summary)



In school, Emily is learning about Pablo Picasso. She would like to be an artist herself someday but at the moment her life is a little out of sorts. Her parents are getting divorced and Emily feels that everything is mixed up and is sad on the inside.  When Picasso was sad he only would paint in shades of blue. Emily feels that she is having one of those blue periods and that it might last for a long time.  

This is a wonderful book told from a child's point-of-view about the feelings and emotions they have when parents divorce. Usually the topic is covered more at the middle grade level, so it is nice to find one geared towards the younger age group. Many will find themselves connecting with Emily and her brother on some feelings and changes they could be facing with their own family. In Art Class, Emily has a collage project to make about her house but it raises questions about her home since she now will have two. This book depicts many emotions such as sadness, anger and confusion not only from a child's perspective in words but illustrated wonderfully that I felt Emily's blueness.  Her brother Jack's insightful take on where home is was heart warming. This would work well opening up discussion about how kids are feeling on a new situation. Although a picture book, the story is written in a chapter-like style. I also liked that it teaches a little about Pablo Picasso.  This may be  suited for an older picture book reader independently or to be read-aloud to younger ones.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-9.~

Title: Emily's Blue Period
Author: Cathleen Daly
Pub. Date: June 2014, Roaring Brook Press
Genre: picture book, chapter book
Hardcover, 56 pgs.