Title: “E-mergency”
By: Tom Lichtenheld and Ezra Fields-Meyer
Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2008, fiction
Ages: For elementary age kids
Theme: Alphabet use, friendship, humor, wordplay, problem solving, puns.
Learning resources: free activity guides here: http://www.tomlichtenheld.com/childrens_books/activity_guides.html and click on:http://www.tomlichtenheld.com/childrens_books/teachers.html for more resources that are helpful in the classroom.
From the jacket: “What happens when the most important letter in the alphabet gets a big owie? One of the other letters has to take her place while she recuperates, but who? Z is too sleepy, and Y asks too many questions. Is O well-rounded enough to handle the job? It’s a real E-mergency”
Opening sentence: “All the letters lived together in a big house. Every morning they ran downstairs to breakfast.”
Why I love it: It’s a wonderful book expressing the value of friendship as well as teaching about vowels and consonants. The illustrations are hilarious cartoons of letters with personalities and human qualities. It’s a delightful story with a surprise ending. The fact that it was sparked by an autistic teen, Ezra Fields-Meyer makes it that much more intriguing. You can also click here for another good review: http://childrensbooksheal.com/2011/11/02/e-mergency-by-tom-lichtenheld-and-ezra-fields-meyer/
This book review is part of Susanna’s Perfect Picture Book Friday: or Just Right Books
Clarbojahn's Blog 
I have yet to read this book – although I’m dying too! – this is the second time I’ve seen it reviewed. It looks like so much fun! And I love that it was sparked by an autistic teen – that his ideas were valued and someone took him seriously. And it turned out so well! Thanks for sharing this great addition to our list 🙂
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You’re welcome, Susanna. You are sure to love it when you finally read it. It was Patricia’s review that made me put a hold on it in my local library and review it for Perfect Picture Book Friday. And I wasn’t disappointed. 🙂
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I’ve heard so much about this book and did take a quick peek when I was at the book store the other day. Still need to sit down and read it through, though. Sounds very fun and educational!
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The educational part is by ‘osmosis’ so it doesn’t hurt. Basically it is just plain fun. Go ahead take it out and sit down with it. You won’t be sorry. 😉
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I m so glad you chose to review this book. It is a must read book for the Perfect Picture Book list. It’s also been selected as one of the best picture books this year by Publisher’s Weekly. I found Ezra’s idea brilliant and loved that Tom Lichtenheld collaborated with him to create this treasure!Thanks for sharing my interview link with Tom.
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I couldn’t resist it. Your review was so awesome I just had to get it. And I loved it! Thanks again. 🙂
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Glad you received a thank you from Tom. I thought you might. He is so generous. And, I’m glad that he sent the really indepth interview for you to share his work in such detail. – Pat
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Clar, great idea to review this for PPBF! I still haven’t seen a copy yet, but after all these great reviews I am eager to read it for myself.
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Like me, you won’t be disappointed. It is an awesome book. 🙂
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Cute! I love books that promote “learning by osmosis!”
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That’s a great way to put the learning that goes on in this picture book. The themes of friendship come out well, too. 🙂
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Clar,
Thank you for reviewing our book. Here’s a site where I tell much of the backstory: http://writerjenn.blogspot.com/2011/10/peek-at-creative-space-of-tom.html
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You are very welcome, Tom. I thoroughly enjoyed your book and love spreading the word. Thanks for the link. And your comment. Hope everyone sees it and links through. 🙂
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I love the idea of letters living together.
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Yes, it’s fresh and a great idea to bring the story around to that friendship or family feel of E needing help and O stepping up to the challenge.
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Oh Clar, I had seen this book and enjoyed Toms link when viewing Pat’s blog post. As we can see by his comment here, Tom is very generous in sharing his informative website. I also loved that you picked this book. It has much to inspire! I loved letter O!
Thankyou Clar.
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Your welcome, Patientdreamer, I was as awed by Tom’s message as I was by his book. Yes, He is generous. As welcome as you. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 🙂
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Very creative, I can’t wait to check it out! Thank you Clar.
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Your welcome, Catherine. You’ll be glad you did. 🙂
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HA HA! I just told my mom I thought this book looks good. I saw it on Chronicle Books website and it’s on my Happy Haul-idays list! Glad you liked it 🙂
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OH! I hope you get it. It is one to read more than once. You’ll thoroughly enjoy it. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Erik. Glad to have you stop by. 🙂
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