Estimated time: 15 minutes

The book begins with a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson, a famous writer who loved to think deeply about nature, friendship, and how we live our lives.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was not just a poet; he was a thinker who believed that everyone should try to understand the world around them and find their own path. He thought that nature and our connections with others help us learn more about ourselves.

Watch a video about Emerson's life and his beliefs.

Why do you think Ransom Riggs might have chosen this excerpt of a poem by Emerson to start a story about children with extraordinary abilities and their adventures?