Blurb

Read Emily Waits for Her Family and follow the true story of the special bond between a tiny bird and a little girl, from first meeting to leaving, from new life to old friends. This story is told in a timeless, three-part series, with an easy-reading rhyme, and is certain to delight and touch your heart.

Review

Genna and I received all three books in this series. The first is “Emily Waits for her Family.”

1. •Hardcover: 24 pages
   

2. •Publisher: Richlee Publishing (August 15, 2008)
   

3. •Language: English
   

4. •ISBN-10: 097962651X
   

5. •ISBN-13: 978-0979626517
   

Kim says

Carol Zelaya beautifully captures the fascination that birds have for both the  young and old. In our house, we often rush to the window to see a sparrow or finch. No bird is too dull for us. And chickadees are one of our favorites, because of their fun call. So we sat down to read these books with pleasure.

I’m often hesitant when I get rhyming picture books, but this one uses rhyme to enhance the connection to birds rather than detract from the story. The rhymes don’t lead the story. The story leads the rhyme.

Excerpt

As I look closer, what do I see?

In the nest there seems to be,

The little bird named Emily,

And a big surprise of one, two, three!

Yes, three little eggs for me to see.

You’ll soon be a mommy Chickadee!

Apart from the delightful and truthful story, I enjoyed the look and feel of these books. This might not be important to you, but I collect beautiful books. To me, a great picture book is a little work of art. Only 6 inches square, these books are easy for little hands to hold. The illustrations by Kristin Metcalf are watercolors with such great detail that Genna and I were able to make a game out of naming the flowers in the gardens.

I suspect that these stories are the kind that children can grow with. The lyrical text and bright pictures will entice younger children and older ones will be able to come back and read an old favorite for themselves.

Emily’s story continues in Caring for Emily’s Family and Emily’s New Home.

Carol Zelaya is a former nurse, recently widowed, and mother of two grown children. She grew up in the Chicago area, where she eventually met and married her husband and where they raised a family. Having relocated to Oregon in 1996, Zelaya began her love affair with nature and its beautiful creatures.  Inspired by her surroundings, she started taking pictures and writing. Writing poetry led to writing three children’s books, of course, in rhyme.  Zelaya’s Emily the Chickadee books are the true story of the special bond between a tiny bird and a little girl and the true meaning of family.

Carol is now moving to the San Diego area to be near her children.  You can visit her online at www.emilythechickadee.com.