Edwina the Emu
Product ID: 11932393
desertcart.com: Edwina the Emu: 9780064434836: Knowles, Sheena, Clement, Rod: Books Review: One of my favorite books! - I love this book! It used to be a childhood favorite of mine and I read it over and over. I recently bought it for my 3 month old and can’t wait to make it a classic in our home as well. The story is so cute and the artwork is really interesting and unique! Make sure and get “Edward the Emu” as well! Review: A clever subversion of expectations - Edwina the Emu is a fantastic book that explores themes of early parenting, the working class, and gender roles in the 21st century. Although it appears to be a children's book, there is a lot to unpack in social commentary. After an unexpected pregnancy, Edwina encourages Edward to stay at home with the eggs while she pursues career options. Edwina finds a job posting for ballet dancing in the newspaper. It is of note that she finds this antiquated gender role in a form of dead media. After being body shamed by the casting director, Edwina stands up for herself proclaiming she will find a job one way or another. This first job provides heavy handed commentary of the current state of affairs in Hollywood and the Me Too Movement. Refusing to conform to an unhealthy body image, Edwina is forced to take up a job performing manual labor as a chimney sweep. The position of chimney sweep is a brilliant form of ironic symbolism. We find Edwina (who set out to break the glass ceiling), ironically forced into a confined space (box) and is lowered through a literal ceiling. After attempting a job as a waiter, Edwina encounters another misogynist man in the form of a restaurant patron. The man boasts about eating eggs in Edwina's presence sending her fleeing home. This scene is the greatest point driven home in the story as it reflects on modern day consumerism and plays on the fears of raising children in modern and turbulent times. This job is indicative of modern day career oriented women being forced to neglect their children, sacrificing them in order to find a fulfilling career. After hailing a cab, she has an epiphany and decides to be a stay at home mother. While at first this subversion of expectations seems to be counterproductive to the 5th wave feminist cause, it is in reality a woman making a choice to do what makes her happy. Naming the last of their babies Yeek (which is a reoccurring theme in Edwina's being shunned and discriminated against) is a clever biting of the thumb to societal norms. I enjoyed this book in its entirety and implore all to read it. Also, it rhymed, and that's cool.
| Best Sellers Rank | #36,983 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #42 in Children's Zoo Books (Books) #138 in Children's Bird Books (Books) #185 in Children's Parents Books |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (484) |
| Dimensions | 9.38 x 0.07 x 10 inches |
| Edition | Reprint |
| Grade level | Preschool - 1 |
| ISBN-10 | 0064434834 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0064434836 |
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 32 pages |
| Publication date | April 25, 1997 |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
| Reading age | 3 - 6 years, from customers |
E**I
One of my favorite books!
I love this book! It used to be a childhood favorite of mine and I read it over and over. I recently bought it for my 3 month old and can’t wait to make it a classic in our home as well. The story is so cute and the artwork is really interesting and unique! Make sure and get “Edward the Emu” as well!
R**P
A clever subversion of expectations
Edwina the Emu is a fantastic book that explores themes of early parenting, the working class, and gender roles in the 21st century. Although it appears to be a children's book, there is a lot to unpack in social commentary. After an unexpected pregnancy, Edwina encourages Edward to stay at home with the eggs while she pursues career options. Edwina finds a job posting for ballet dancing in the newspaper. It is of note that she finds this antiquated gender role in a form of dead media. After being body shamed by the casting director, Edwina stands up for herself proclaiming she will find a job one way or another. This first job provides heavy handed commentary of the current state of affairs in Hollywood and the Me Too Movement. Refusing to conform to an unhealthy body image, Edwina is forced to take up a job performing manual labor as a chimney sweep. The position of chimney sweep is a brilliant form of ironic symbolism. We find Edwina (who set out to break the glass ceiling), ironically forced into a confined space (box) and is lowered through a literal ceiling. After attempting a job as a waiter, Edwina encounters another misogynist man in the form of a restaurant patron. The man boasts about eating eggs in Edwina's presence sending her fleeing home. This scene is the greatest point driven home in the story as it reflects on modern day consumerism and plays on the fears of raising children in modern and turbulent times. This job is indicative of modern day career oriented women being forced to neglect their children, sacrificing them in order to find a fulfilling career. After hailing a cab, she has an epiphany and decides to be a stay at home mother. While at first this subversion of expectations seems to be counterproductive to the 5th wave feminist cause, it is in reality a woman making a choice to do what makes her happy. Naming the last of their babies Yeek (which is a reoccurring theme in Edwina's being shunned and discriminated against) is a clever biting of the thumb to societal norms. I enjoyed this book in its entirety and implore all to read it. Also, it rhymed, and that's cool.
J**Y
Adorable!
Cute, cute story to pair with Edward the Emu! My grandkids love both. Great illustrations.
S**T
These are hilarious!!!
A wonderful rhyming book!!! It’s a must read! Works great for the Letter E teachers!
B**E
Love this book!
We have Edward the Emu so this is a great addition! Very cute story line!
B**E
Classic
Love this book. Good lessons about being yourself.
J**S
As expected
As expected
P**T
Great book
This is a great book. Highly recommend also purchasing Edward the Emu.
A**R
Love this book how it rhymes and has the best illustrations
J**Y
Nachdem wir von "Edward the Emu" so begeistert waren, haben wir uns dieses hier bestellt und sind nicht enttäuscht worden. Wir lesen es Immer wieder und können auch noch immer drüber lachen. Besonders gefällt, dass es in Reimen geschrieben ist.
S**G
perfect give for aussie kids and overseas kids
J**R
It is a good book.
J**E
Fantastic new book have just sent it to my granddaughter She will love it
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