Emma Pearl’s journey as a children’s author is as enchanting as the stories she writes. After growing up in England, Pearl traveled the world in her twenties, before settling in New Zealand in her thirties. Her life now strikes a fine balance between New Zealand and the UK – with two children (aged 12 and 14) and a “very spoiled cat” keeping her company. “I’ve loved reading and writing stories since I was tiny,” Emma shares. So eight years ago, she decided to pursue seriously writing for young people, and became “totally addicted” to it. Now, she smiles, “I have about a million stories I need to write, but not nearly enough time to write them.”
Pearl’s picture books, Mending the Moon and Saving the Sun (both published by Page Street Kids and distributed in Canada through Manda Group), are beautifully layered, conveying multiple motifs through sparse text. “Both stories are centered around the magic and wonder to be found in nature,” Pearl explains. And through these books, she hopes readers of all ages will feel the awe for the natural world that inspires her, and will be motivated to help protect it.
The stories feature a little girl named Luna, who uses her head and heart to solve seemingly insurmountable problems. Themes of kindness, resourcefulness, perseverance, and cooperation are woven into the narrative, with a folk-tale element adding an extra dimension. “I would love for kids to remember Luna the next time they see a full moon or a sunset, and think ‘now I know why the moon has those funny marks on it!’ or ‘That’s why the colours are so pretty’!” adds Pearl.
And Pearl turns cheerleader when discussing the contributions of illustrator Sara Ugolotti. “Oh my goodness, Sara’s illustrations are so stunning! I am absolutely in love with them!” Pearl enthuses. Ugolotti’s artwork perfectly captures the ambience of the world Pearl created, and brings it to life in a way that actually surpasses Pearl’s expectations. The illustrations strike a perfect balance between fantasy and reality, which makes Luna’s adventures both adorable and relatable. Pearl especially loves Poppa’s Hawaiian shirt in Saving the Sun, and the beautiful natural settings – like the mountain and forest in Mending the Moon, and the ocean and beach in Saving the Sun. She beams: “I feel blessed to have been able to work with such a talented artist”.
Despite the challenge of living in New Zealand – where bookshops are reluctant to stock her books – the response to Mending the Moon and Saving the Sun has been heartwarming. In particular, a review of Mending the Moon from The Cambridge Kids Bookshelf so floored Pearl that she is moved to read it aloud: “Mending the Moon is one of the sweetest, most beautifully illustrated children’s books I think I’ve ever read to my children. It felt incredibly special, and I feel it will become a firm family favourite.”
Pearl was also overwhelmed by the support she received when she posted on Twitter about an unfortunate book event for Saving the Sun that no one attended. Her post went viral, catching the attention of people around the world like actor Zach Braff, who reposted it with a purchase link. “The outpouring of genuine kindness and support was beyond anything I could have imagined,” she marvels, still amazed by the experience. “And it really took off from there.” In fact, this SesayArts interview came about as a result of that post, too! “Many people bought both books as a result, which was wonderful”, though the “wild ride” did not last.
But Pearl is too talented and optimistic to see her success as limited to that “fleeting moment in time”. She is far too committed to her craft, and as the great-niece of Roald Dahl, she has a literary legacy to uphold that is both inspiring and daunting. Dahl’s love of nature and the magic in his works resonate deeply with her: “He adored growing orchids in his greenhouse and vegetables in his garden, and was inspired by the local landscape where I grew up (the woodlands and villages that feature in Danny the Champion of the World, for example). And in James and the Giant Peach, there is certainly a fusion of magic and nature!” Dahl’s stories and legacy are a constant source of inspiration for her, but she does not compare her work with his. “He is one of the all-time giants of children’s literature, and I am a tiny child cast into his enormous shadow,” she smiles. But Pearl does let slip that she is in the early stages of drafting a middle-grade novel about green magic, which is set in a world inspired by Dahl’s house and garden.
In fact, Pearl also has a YA novel and several picture books currently out on submission, along with other manuscripts in various stages of completion. “I’m very much hoping to be able to announce another book deal one day, but who knows how long that will take!” she says. But she is neither impatient nor worried because when she is not writing, Pearl offers additional services that keep her busy. For example, she mentors fellow authors through critiques of picture books, and she uplifts aspiring authors through constructive encouragement and detailed feedback.
As our interview closes, something prompts her to recall one of the very first stories she ever wrote. She composed “The Frog and the Blossom Tree” at around age four. “It was a rather lovely story about loneliness and friendship,” she explains, “and one day I will resurrect it, rewrite it, and send it to my agent!”
It sounds like a promise – more to herself than to me, if I’m honest. But I’m delighted to think that, in some small way, I may have helped to secure for the world one more enchanting tale from this talented author.
© Arpita Ghosal, SesayArts Magazine, 2024
