by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
40 pages • Hardcover • Ages 3-8 • ISBN: 9781923419261 • Published by Affirm Press • Available in Australia from October 28, 2025
Emmie the mouse is an extraordinary inventor. There is no problem she can’t fix! But then a new kind of problem arrives. The type of problem that has claws, a long swishy tail and a mischievous gleam in its eyes …
Emmie is sure that she has a idea big enough to frighten the problem away, But perhaps the best way to tackle a problem is with friendship, not fear?
A cat-and-mouse caper with a unique twist, this is a captivating tale that celebrates innovation, resilience and the power of kindness.
PRAISE FOR EMMIE BUILDS SOMETHING NEW
★ "This charming tale about unlikely friends will offer a fresh discovery with every reading."
— Foreword Reviews, starred review
"Delightful and visually inventive, . . 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. Shelf Talker: Inventive, detailed, and unexpectedly tender, Emmie Builds Something New celebrates the power of imagination and the surprising places it can lead."
— Julie Danielson, Shelf Awareness
“A welcome reminder that it’s just as important to be kind as it is to be smart. . . A sweet social-emotional book that’s the cat’s (and the mouse’s) pajamas.”
— Kirkus Reviews
"Playful alliteration and repetitive prose give this plenty of storytime potential, but the intricate art, rich with visual humor and intrigue, make this just as fun . . . little viewers will appreciate the multitude of Emmie’s innovative inventions on display."
— The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books