Emily Carr as I Knew Her

Out of print for more than 40 years, this is an intimate and heartwarming biography that throws a whole new light on one of Canada’s most beloved and iconic artists.

In 1916, Emily Carr wasn’t famous. She was poor, and she taught art classes to children to make a living. One of her students was seven-year-old Carol Pearson. Pearson spent hours every day with Carr: they painted together at the water’s edge, and she helped care for the dogs, birds, monkey and other animals that Carr kept as pets. Carr nicknamed Pearson “Baboo,” and Carol called her “Mom.” The two were as close as mother and daughter for twenty-five years, up until Carr passed away.

This touching tribute to Carr illustrates a gentleness and sensitivity not seen in other biographies. Originally published in 1954 and long out of print, this very unique biography reveals Carr’s personality more fully than any other. With a new foreword by Robert Amos, Canadian art historian.

“No more penetrating picture will be given us of the great person who was Emily Carr than this … Humour is mixed with tragedy, and tales that never appeared in Klee Wyck were told to Carol.” —the Globe & Mail