Emmie Builds Something New

71gkBueD1TL
Publisher Name
Red Comet Press
Age Range
4+
Release Date
September 30, 2025
ISBN13
978-1636551395
ISBN10 or ASIN
   
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.

As she navigates this playful battle, Emmie discovers that sometimes the best solutions come from unexpected friendships. With stunning illustrations reminiscent of Rube Goldberg and David Macaulay, Emmie Builds Something New is a captivating tale that celebrates innovation, resilience, and the power of kindness.

This delightful story not only entertains but also inspires young readers, especially girls with a passion for STEM. Join Emmie on her roller-coaster journey of discovery, where every challenge is an opportunity to create, learn, and ultimately build a bridge of understanding with her newfound companion. Ultimately Emmie finds a way to coexist with the cat and discovers that empathy is the pathway to peace and friendship.

Editor review

1 review
Channels both Creative Spunk and Heart
(Updated: June 19, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Buckle up for the tale of Emmie the inventive mouse. She loves tinkering and making things, so when an intruder appears in her home (a cat!) she quickly sets to work to build a series of machines to scare it off. But in vanquishing her foe, Emmie realizes that a friendship is what they both need and that great inventions help rather than harm.

This is such a cute story. Emmie's inventions are a delight to all the little inventors who like putting together creations from spare parts, broken pen springs, and bottle caps. And although the story is far from technical, it captures the creative spirit and iterative process that goes into any good design or experiment. When one idea doesn't work, it's not a failure, but rather the first step toward thinking over the problem and discovering an even better solution.

I particularly love the illustrations of Emmie's animal-inspired inventions. They're fierce and fun all at once, and make me want to try to assemble something of my own from whatever is hanging around the desk.

Pick this up for an animal story with creativity, heart, and little details in the drawings you won't want to miss.
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