Emily Eyefinger

Emily Eyefinger #1

by Duncan Ball, Craig Smith (Illustrator)

Born with an eye on the end of her finger, Emily is--despite the initial concerns of her parents--able to use this unique quality to do good deeds, such as finding lost objects and reforming the class bully.

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Fiction

82 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1992

About the author

Duncan Ball is an American-born Australian author who has written the children's series Selby (about a talking dog named Selby who tries to keep his secret away from his owners) and Emily Eyefinger (about a girl who has an eye on her finger). He also writes under the name of John St Claire. Duncan currently lives in Glebe‚ NSW with his wife‚ Jill.

Reviews

[Lauren Wilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in like third grade, and I've always remembered it because I found the idea of having a third eye on the end of your finger intriguing-- so, major points for unique idea and memorability!

I was trying to distract my boys (5 and 3) a week or two ago, and told them some of what I remembered of this book. They couldn't get enough of it. So I ordered a cheap copy (thanks Thriftbooks!) (because our library here is lame and doesn't have anything), and read it to them and they loved it. I could see them acting out the book as I read, like poking their finger around a corner or covering their eyes but still being able to 'see' because they had an eye on their finger.

I'm impressed at myself for how much I remembered of this book from third grade! Some things I didn't pick up on then (or at least didn't remember) was that everyone in the book has a descriptive last name. And some of Emily's adventures were more far fetched than I remembered (or at least not logical) (for Example: holding your finger over the bow of a boat in some fog really wouldn't help you to see that much further than you'd be able to see with your normal eyes; and it's a neat idea that she could find the missing snake up a rain spout, but in reality it would be too dark to see anything up there, especially if a snake was blocking what sunlight would come in. But I didn't point these things out to my boys. They loved the story.)

[Stefania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in primary school and just loved it. I read it again recently and think it is still such a great book for young kids. I can’t wait to read this to my little boy soon!

[Ashleigh Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this book as a child in grade 2 (or there abouts) and now I am able to share it with my son. I like the Emily Eyefinger series because the stories are short, interesting and feature a moral of some kind. The idea of having an eye on the end of your finger has stuck with me all this time (along with some of Emily’s more adventurous mouse finding adventures!)

I recommend this book for primary school students as it is not a picture book per say (but it does feature the occasional sketch), and the stories are short and simple. I think it’s great for building one’s imagination and problem solving skills.

[Alex M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story with chapters that are not too long. I remember reading this as a child and thinking it was a good book! I still agree. It is a book which is structured like an individual story in each chapter, so this book is an easy one to read and come back to later. The characterisation of Emily was good, as she has many aspects that make her unique (not just the eye on the end of her finger). I recommend this book for ages 7+.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duncan Ball created Selby the talking dog and now Emily who is an ordinary girl with the exception that she has an eye on the end of her finger in addition to her other two eyes. A quite bizarre premise is executed in a humorous way with similar trademark style to the Selby series. A short fun read, will the stories be similar in each book of the series, it will be interesting to see.

[vio · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dialogue and premise is a touch absurd but in a way, that's what makes it so charming and humorous.

[Felicite Reads]

I remember reading a strange book about a little girl with an eye on her finger when I was younger. So glad I was able to find this at the library and revisit it. Still enjoyable as an adult!

[Diva]

I suddenly remembered this book I read as a kid. What an odd, odd book.

[Saige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this as a kid, intrigued the hell out of me and stuck with me.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories about a girl with an eye on the end of her finger. Names play a key role in the characters within the pages. Entertaining for kids.

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave me all the nostalgic feelings reading it decades later. I loved these books as a kid and I still do to this day.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funnily enough, I remembered Emily Eyefinger while watching Alias. Make sense? Probably not. But I LOVED the series in primary school. I thought they were fantastic, and I would spend ages trying to figure out what it would be like to see the world through your finger. Needless to say, sometimes I will still wonder about things like this and it oftens sends me on a trail of what it would be like to see/hear through other parts of your body not intended for these senses.

I admit, I sometimes think way too much. Still, I loved Emily Eyefinger.

[Lucille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these when I was young and had forgotten about them until I was cleaning out my bookshelf and found one tucked away behind my other books. Emily has an eye on her finger, as is made somewhat obvious by the title, and she solves mysteries and gets into adventures because of it :) It was a strange concept for a kid's book, but I remembering really liking it when i was young.

[Leyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, gosh, I remember these books. Used to love 'em. When I was seven... :)

[Alison C.]

bedtime

[Megan]

As an adult I thought I dreamt this book's existence but, nope, it's real. and strange.