BURLEIGH MUTN is a member of the Emily Dickinson International Society and a frequent volunteer at the Dickinson Homestead.

She has published several books for children, including The Lady of Ten Thousand Names: Goddess Stories from Many Cultures. Burleigh Mutn lives in western Massachusetts. MATT PHELAN is the author-illustrator of the highly acclaimed graphic novel The Storm in the Barn, winner of a Scott ODell Award for Historical Fiction; Around the World, a Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards nominee; and the critically acclaimed Bluffton. He lives in Philadelphia.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Also by Matt Phelan

BLUFFTON: MY SUMMERS WITH BUSTER A wonderfully evocative story of longing and bittersweet. The Wall Street Journal H Publishers Weekly H Kirkus Reviews H Booklist H School Library Journal HC: 978-0-7636-5079-7 AROUND THE WORLD An American Library Association Great Graphic Novel for Teens Riveting, wondrously drawn, expertly paced. The New York Times H Kirkus Reviews H Booklist H Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books H School Library Journal HC: 978-0-7636-3619-7 THE STORM IN THE BARN Winner of a Scott ODell Award for Historical Fiction H The Horn Book H Kirkus Reviews H Booklist H Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books H School Library Journal HC: 978-0-7636-3618-0 PB: 978-0-7636-5290-6
COVER NOT FINAL

Miss Emily
Burleigh Mutn illustrated by Matt Phelan
by
Discover the mischievous and affectionate side of a revered poet in this adventure about Emily Dickinson, four young friends, and a traveling circus.
Miss Emily watched us, her smile widening for a second or two, waiting for us to guess her riddle . . . I cannot bear it! Her whole body shivered as she said, Its the CIRCUS!
When an invitation to join Miss Emily in the garden appears, Mattie, Ned, Sally, and Mac know theyre in for some fun because Miss EmilyEmily Dickinson to the rest of usalways has a surprise in store for her young friends. And todays may be the biggest adventure yet. In Burleigh Mutns suspenseful story, beautifully illustrated by celebrated artist Matt Phelan, Mac, the youngest member of the group, tells what happens when a reclusive poet and her band of pretend Gypsies wait for the midnight circus train to arrive.

On sale March 11, 2014 HC: 978-0-7636-5734-5 $15.99 ($18.00 CAN) 144 pages Ages 812

Illustration copyright 2013 by Matt Phelan

A Note from Author

Q & A with illustrator

Burleigh Mutn
Emily Dickinson loved children. She never retreated from the neighborhood children. They loved to play in her yard, pretending to be Gypsies and pirates. Dickinson delighted in their fantasies and on occasion joined this little group of bandits, supplying them with treats, showing interest in their play, and giving them her unconditional love. A few of these children grew up to be writers and told tales of their cherished neighbor. The Emily they described was no hermit. She was the respectful, playful, and treasured adult whom the children could never forget. Miss Emily introduces children to the friendly and mischievous Emily Dickinson. Whenever I teach Dickinson to youngsters, it is this welcoming side of her that makes them want to know more. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the personality behind one of Americas favorite poets.

Matt Phelan
What initially drew you to this story about Emily Dickinson? I liked how compact the story was and how it told of one nights adventure. I was also intrigued by how it showed both Emilys reclusive side and her less-known playful side. How did you capture Emily Dickinsons mischievous, playful side in your illustrations? At the start of this project, I knew very little about Emily Dickinson aside from what everyone knows about her. I took a trip to Amherst and spent some time wandering around the grounds of the house, which made up her world for the most part. Seeing the replica of her famous white dress helped a great deal, too. I could see how tall she was. Also, when compared to the accepted styles of dress from that time period, Emilys simple frock was clearly the more comfortable option. All of these things helped me to get a sense of Emily Dickinson as a real person, and if I can do that, I can start to draw her. Or my version of her. Can you describe the steps you take to create your artwork? The first step is a series of very loose sketches to work out the composition. After those sketches are approved, I draw new versions based on the sketches. The drawings are in pencil and then finished with ink and graphite smudges for tone.

Illustration copyright 2013 by Matt Phelan

What is your favorite Emily Dickinson poem? Hope is the thing with feathers. I love the imagery of hope as a small bird, and the way she sets it against storms, the chillest land, and the strangest Sea. Its simple and powerful.

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M I S S E M I LY

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Illustration copyright 2013 by Matt Phelan

What is one thing you learned about Emily Dickinson while illustrating this book? I went from thinking of her as a reclusive oddball to thinking that her retreat from the world maybe wasnt so weird. I like her a lot.