Review: E-Mergency!

Looking for new books to share with your child? Check out the book review below! Each week we bring you the latest reviews of books geared toward children in grades K-5 from the creators of "Sweet on Books", a locally-based initiative with reviews written for you exclusively by mothers, as part of our ABC7 Learning Section Enjoy!

Title: E-mergency!

Author: Tom Lichtenheld Themes: Fun way to engage kids, teaches the letters of the alphabet Published: 2011, 40 pages 'Sweet' book summary: Reviewer: Melissa G. E-Mergency! This book really brings the ABC's to life. These letters fly kites, go swimming and jump on their beds. They all live together in one big, fun-filled house until poor letter E tumbles down the stairs and ends up in the hospital.

Kids will enjoy this story so much, they won't even realize they're learning along the way. They'll laugh as the letters take action and show a range of emotions that express surprise, concern, excitement and happiness. They'll also find clever word plays and jokes throughout the book. The tone is set early when readers meet The Cast (the letters) and "The Other Cast" which is the cast on E's foot.

If they pay attention to the details as they read on, readers will discover a lot more humor than what appears on the surface. When E falls down, Y asks "Why is E on the floor? Is she exercising? Eavesdropping? Excavating?" Z is next seen saying, "I'm exhausted!" as he yawns. When the letters go on "The O Show", P says "I have to go to tho bathroom," U says "Again?!" and N says "You two shouldn't sit together!" These are just a few examples of the fun that's in store for both adults and kids as they read E-mergency!

What You Need to Know:

• According to Chronicle Books, this concept was inspired by the short video, Alphabet House by Ezra Fields-Meyer.
• Fourteen-year-old, Ezra, is an animator who was diagnosed with high-functioning Autism at the age of three.
• Tom Lichtenheld also illustrated Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and Duck! Rabbit!
• Fun facts...the last page of the book lists the letters and their frequency of use. Z is obviously used the least, but you may be surprised at which letter comes in first.

If you liked this book, try:

• LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
• Let's Count to 100! by Masayuki Sebe

For the previous 7online.com Sweet On Books reviews, visit the links below...

• Buglette the Messy Sleeper by Bethanie Deeney Murguia
• Greek Myths by Ann Turnbull
• Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
• Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
• It's the First Day of School... Forever! by R.L. Stine
• Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg
• Blueberries For Sal by Robert McCloskey
• Frankie Pickle and the Mathematical Menace by Eric Wight
• Lost In Lexicon by Pendred Noyce
• Invisible Inkling by Emily Jenkins
• Missing on Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach
• King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen
• I'm Here by Peter H. Reyonds
• Sea Monster's First Day by Kate Messner
• The Greedy Sparrow by Lucine Kasbarian
• Wild Times at the Bed and Biscuit by Joan Carris
• The Flint Heart by Katherine and John Paterson
• Treasured Classics by Michael Hague
• Let's Count to 100! by Masayuki Sebe
• Guys Read: Thriller edited by Jon Scieszka
• Stumptown Kid by Carol Gorman & Ron J. Findley
• The Busy Beaver by Nicholas Oldland
• The Royal Diaries: Marie Antoinette, Princess of Versailles by Kathryn Lasky
• Ivy & Bean: No News is Good News by Annie Barrows
• The Dragon of Lonely Island by Rebecca Rupp
• Spaceheadz (series #1) by Jon Scieszka
• Love of the Game
by John Coy
• Red Sled by Lita Judge