What Emma Wrote - Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF

7 minutes ago
3 min read

Many kids and adults know about the Statue of Liberty. Some may even be able to recite the poem engraved on the statue. But how many know the history of that poem? This gorgeous and lyrically written nonfiction picture book biography does a great job of giving us a glimpse into the amazing, caring, and determined writer and poet, Emma Lazarus, and her connection to the statue.

Book Cover - woman standing in the harbor looking at the statue of liberty holding a piece of paper and a pen

What Emma Wrote: The Woman Behind the Words on the Statue of Liberty

Author: Ann D. Koffsky

Illustrator: N. Tarcan

Publisher: Apples & Honey Press/Behrman House, Inc. (March 3, 2026)

Ages: 4 - 7

Nonfiction

Themes:

Writing, immigration, standing up for others, and poetry.

Synopsis:

With its poetic message of welcome, the Statue of Liberty holds an important and beloved place in American history. In time for anniversary of our nation's founding, this biography of the woman who wrote the now—famous poem on its pedestal has deep relevance for readers today.

Emma loved stories, loved writing poetry, and was curious about the world. When she met poor immigrants arriving in New York City, she knew she had to help. And when she was asked to write a poem about the Statue of Liberty, she imagined Lady Liberty as a mother, welcoming her children home. Her famous poem, “The New Colossus,” is still there on the statue’s pedestal, sharing its message of welcome with the world.

Opening Lines:

“Emma!” her sisters called.

“Let’s play in the waves!”

“No, thank you,” said Emma.

What I LOVED about this book:

Featuring period (1800's) bathing suits of pantaloons and short sleeved dress-like tops, N. Tarcan's illustration of Emma's three sisters skipping toward the waves, as curious seagulls watch, while Emma settles on a blanket with a quill pen and journal beautifully grounds us in the time period and Emma's personality.

Having joined her family's flight from the hot summer heat in New York, Emma's deep love of writing trumps the beauty of the beach. These are such fun period illustrations, and I love how much information about her family life and personality are provided within such marvelously succinct text.

Internal spread - on the left, a family leaves their red brick house in New York, by horse-drawn carraige. On the right, a girl lies on a blanket, on the sandy beach, holding a quill pen and jotting stories into a journal. A basket of bread and wine glasses and a plate of food sit near her.

Text © Ann Koffsky, 2026. Image © N. Tarcan, 2026.

As "Emma kept writing," her proud parents gathered her stories, poems, and essays of Gods, goddesses, and kings into a bound book for friends and family. Though happy they had to print more copies, Emma wonders if she could write about "something . . . more." When she overheard grumbles about recent immigrants to New York and remembered tales of her family immigrating years before from Brazil, Emma visited Ward's Island and listened to the immigrants. Then she brought donations and helped set up a trade school. N. Tarcan's images are wonderfully detailed and textured; a pure joy to pour over and discover many period items of clothing, tools, and early publications.

Internal spread - on the left, a woman brings a wooden crate full of food and clothing to two women in headscarves. On the right, a woman stands watching as two men saw wood and a third assembles a wooden box.

Text © Ann Koffsky, 2026. Image © N. Tarcan, 2026.

When a magazine ran an article bad-mouthing the immigrants, Emma confronted the editor. Who told her to write the response. Emma's indignation at someone blaming the immigrants for their own troubles is gorgeously portrayed in her clenched fist and jaw, intense focus, and her scribbling pages of a response by candlelight.

Internal spread - on the left, a woman furiously writes a letter in a formal study. On the upper right, a woman stands with a paper and pen. On the lower right, she sits in a wing-back chair wearing glasses and writing more.

Emma didn't stop with her reply; she kept writing, sharing the immigrants stories. After changing the minds and views of many New Yorkers, Emma was asked to write a poem to celebrate the Statue of Liberty. Ann Koffsky does a great job of capturing the purpose and drive behind Emma's poem and how it has endured for centuries. Stunning back matter features a letter from Emma Lazarus herself, history and fun facts about the Statue of Liberty, and a note on Emma's connection to the statue and the full text of her poem. Though many may have visited the statue or learned about the symbolic poem, this picture book does a fantastic job of bringing the author/poet Emma Lazarus to life.

Resources:

Photo collage of a Statue of Liberty paper crown and torch, toilet paper statue, and collage images of the statue.

create your own paper crown and torch, toilet paper roll Statue of Liberty, or collage image of the statue.

write your own poem about the Statue of Liberty.

what can you do to help new kids or families in your school or town?

pair this with Let Liberty Rise! How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty by Chana Stiefel, illustrated by Chuck Groenink, Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Shawn Harris, and My Little Golden Book About the Statue of Liberty by Jen Arena, illustrated by Viviana Garofoli.

If you missed my interview with Ann Koffsky on Monday, find it (here).

This post is part of a series of blog posts by authors and KidLit bloggers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays. For more picture book suggestions and resources see Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Books.