Emma's Pet

by David McPhail

Emma, a precocious young bear, searches for the perfect pet.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Animals

24 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1985

About the author

David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. He is now an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 200 books beloved by children, parents and librarians across the United States. McPhail has garnered many prestigious awards, including a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Mole Music in 2001. McPhail’s other books include First Flight, which the New York Times praised as “hilarious and helpful”; and Lost!, which was chosen as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

McPhail has four children, three stepchildren, and is a proud grandfather. He is married to Jan Waldron, with whom he has written and illustrated several books. He lives in Rye, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book when I was in elementary school. My family even donated it to the school library when I moved to a different school district. I found a board book edition of it last year and it was even on clearance. Reading it since the passing of my father really brought back memories and tears.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutest book ever!

[Shannon]

I'm pretty surprised by the low rating on this one. I like this quite a bit and so does my daughter. I like the colored-pencil style illustrations and the fact that it is really a daddy/daughter story in the end. I always read it "It was her daddy!" at the end rather than "It was her father!" which feels too formal to me.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, earlier McPhail "bear book." In this offering, Emma goes out in search of a cuddly pet and finds one close to home.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty straightforward, but it gets a bonus star for being personally relevant... both my youngest son and I want a cuddly pet, but all we have is each other....

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love David McPhail books and so do my grandkids.

[shelbzilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was the first book i ever read! 😊

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma, a bear, wants a pet even though she already has a cat. She explains her logic to her mother by telling her that she needs something that is big, soft and cuddly. Her journey, to find the elusive pet, takes her around the yard. She comes in contact with a bug, mouse, bird, frog, snake and fish before bringing home someone else's dog. Needless-to-say, she doesn't find what she wants until she sees her father resting in a rocking chair. Guess who her new pet is?

Don't overlook the pictures of her cat that are at the beginning of this tale. Warm and silly, the illustrations shape the story. A "Parents' Choice Winner", this is a nice book to read to children four and older.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a little girl who wants a bit, soft, cuddly pet. She tries out many, but finds the (perfect?) solution in the end. The story has a short and simple narrative with few sentences on each page and cute illustrations that are very expressive. We enjoyed listening to this book narrated by Rick Adamson on CD as we followed along with the book. It was part of a kit that we borrowed from our local library that included a paperback book with ISBN 0140547495.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: "Emma, a precocious young bear, searches for the perfect pet."

My Review: I received this in a box of used books and finally got around to reading it to Munchkin. It is a simple book and would be great for beginning readers or as a young children's picture book. The story is adorable as are the illustrations. Each pet idea Emma has is pretty unique and I really loved the conclusion of the story.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book, and how it teaches the importance of family. Caleb is especially cute when we read this book, whenever Emma cuddles with something, he grabs my arms and wants us to cuddle too--so cute!

[Cws]

JEPIC-McP

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sweet pictures are what makes this book appealing to my 19 month daughter and I.

[Britt]

hi

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender little story about a little girl wanting a pet. Beautiful illustrations. 5 copies for the classroom library.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I love this story. I love the way the pictures and the words come together on this, seeming to fit as one work, more than most picture books do.

[Mommooshka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very gentle, touching story about a little girl and her Daddy. Lovely illustrations and text will touch the hearts of your child and you.

Love all David McPhail books!

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrated story about a little girl who is looking for a pet. Short and just the right balance of easy and challenging for my first grader. Still, not one of my faves.

[Emma Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet book about a bear who wanted to find a pet. It was easy to read and the pictures were really cute.

Lexile: 430L
GR: F
Trait: Voice

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book for Daddy's and Daughters.

[Alyssa Bashore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute story about how Emma wants a cute cuddly pet. A warm and fuzzy story.