by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
44 pages • Jacketed Hardcover • Ages 4–7 • 9" x 12" • ISBN:978-1-63655-139-5 • Available in the U.S. from September 30, 2025
Join Emmie, a clever inventor living in her attic kingdom, as she battles a mischievous interloper with her ingenious creations, discovering that true friendship can emerge from even the most unexpected challenges. The Rube Goldberg-meets-David Macaulay art style brings a lively energy to this comic cat-and-mouse caper
In the enchanting world of Emmie, the attic is more than just a storage space—it’s her kingdom! Surrounded by dusty forgotten treasures, Emmie is a clever inventor who transforms ordinary objects into extraordinary machines, each one a testament to her creativity and engineering prowess. But when a mischievous black-and-white cat intrudes upon her realm, Emmie must put her skills to the test. Determined to reclaim her domain, she devises increasingly inventive contraptions to outsmart her furry foe.
Reviews:
Delightful and visually inventive, Emmie Builds Something New by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall is set in a dusty attic brimming with "things no-one wanted." Though Emmie the mouse is small, she is an inventor, engineer, and dreamer, transforming cast-offs into fantastical contraptions. […] The perspective shifts and textured lines bring Emmie's world to life with energy and wit. The illustrations brim with mechanical marvels and visual riddles, and the story hints at broader ideas: that even long-held assumptions, like cats and mice being enemies, can be reimagined through curiosity, creativity, and a little kindness. --Julie Danielson, Shelf Awareness
Shelf Talker: Inventive, detailed, and unexpectedly tender, Emmie Builds Something New celebrates the power of imagination and the surprising places it can lead. Full Review: Shelf Awareness