Emily Carr and Her Dogs: Flirt, Punk, and Loo

At 96 pages, this book charms without trying to be charming. The prose is beautiful, without unnecessary adornment, caring without being sentimental, and wise in its observations about life without preaching. I am always looking out for a 'sleeper'--a book relatively undiscovered and special-- that I can give my best friends, aged aunties, young moms, children, that is not trite or trendy or filled with the obvious. The sketches by the author reveal both depth of feeling and simplicity. This was my introduction to Emily Carr, and a week later I'm half-way through her autobiography (Growing Pains) and looking up her paintings on the Internet. Enjoy!!