A read aloud that will fascinate younger students as it focuses on Emily Carr’s love of animals and her eccentricities, while older readers may notice some of her artistic techniques and her love for the outdoors. Emily discovers a small monkey at the pet store in Victoria and takes [her] home to be part of the menagerie that lives with her, but Woo’s inquisitiveness and habit of collecting stray items gets [her] into trouble. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending for both the artist and Woo.
Emily Carr was trusted and respected by the First Nations people of the West Coast and this book misses the opportunity to present that aspect of her life. However, it is mentioned in the short biography and an adult sharing this lovely book may be able to bring this part of her life into the conversation.