Summer 2020 was shaping up to be the worst summer of Emma's life. Stuck inside, Emma mopes around the house until Grandmother suggests she go explore the nearby pond.

There, in the cool summer shade, Emma meets a new friend who turns her boring summer upside down!

Author Sharon Stamas was looking out her own window during the summer of Covid-19 when she caught sight of a surprising friendship—down by her neighborhood pond was a little girl . . . and a big blue heron! All summer long, Sharon watched in warm amazement as the duo trotted after each other, keeping one another company, the sweetest of companions. Inspired by this real-life friendship, Stamas partnered with illustrator Wickie Rowland to bring this charming and dynamic duo to life for young readers and animal lovers.

About the author:

From her porch overlooking a small pond during the first summer of Covid-19, Sharon Stamas witnessed a compelling bond of trust grow between a young girl and a great blue heron. Moved by the experience, she decided to write the story of Emma and Big Blue to share with her granddaughter.

Sharon, now retired, enjoyed careers in the medical and early childhood development fields. When not traveling, she and her husband, Lou, reside in Stratham, New Hampshire.

About the Illustrator:

Wickie Rowland is an award-winning author and illustrator from the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. She has been drawing her whole life and loves creating whimsical, meaningful worlds on the page—and in her garden! Her previous titles include Good Morning, Strawbery Banke; Good Morning, Piscataqua; Finding Forget-Me-Nots: The Story of a Mindful Elephant; and a meditative coloring book, A Year in the Country.