Max really wants a dog as a pet, just like his friend. But his sister, Emma is allergic to fur! But she wanted a pet too. So for her birthday, she gets a lizard. The lizard might not be a furry pet just like all the popular animals but Emma loved him. At first, Max wasn’t too sure of having a pet lizard. It was a strange pet… a pet with no fut. But soon, Max finds the lizard to be a great pet and wants one too. But his birthday is too far away. Will he get his own pet lizard?

This book deals with many different topics such as adoption, allergy, and a family bond between siblings but uses easy words and dialogs, making sure to include young readers. It is also divided into chapters that might get readers to think that this book is higher level read. The illustration is portrays the story and leads the readers into Max and Emma’s world. The pet lizard also changes color so the readers can try to find him in the illustrations.

This hi-low book will open doors for discussions in the topics mentioned above in classrooms, libraries and even at home. ( )

Max, an adopted child, really wants a pet but his sister Emma is allergic to pets with fur. Max is really mad that he cannot get the pet he wants. After some research, Emma chooses a lizard as her birthday present. Max ends up becoming friends with the lizard and wants one for his own. Through Emma's hard work at convincing their parents, Max is able to get his very own lizard. This story could be used to teach about acceptance and adoption, amongst other things. ( )

Little, Jean

Emma's Strange Pet
Illustrated by Jennifer Plecas. 2004. 64pp. $3.99 pbk. HarperCollins Publishers. 978-0-0644-4259-6. Grades 1-3

After playing at a house with a friend, four-year-old Max wants a dog, but his family explains that they can't have a dog or a pet with fur because Emma, Max's older sister, is allergic. Emma wants a pet too, so on her birthday, her family takes her to the pet shop and allows her to choose a pet. She chooses an anole, a small lizard that can sometimes change color depending on its environment, and names it Stranger. Max wants to play with Emma's pet too, and after much discussion, Max is allowed to get an anole of his very own, which he names Wizard. Serious topics such as pet allergies and adoption (Max is adopted) are brought up briefly in the course of the narrative but are treated subtly and naturally. The cartoonish, pastel illustrations help evoke Emma's serious nature and the mischief of her fun-loving little brother Max. The portrayal of the brother-sister bond is very strong; when Max expresses his desire for a pet, Emma tells her father about it and convinces him that Max is old enough for a pet of his own. Recommended for children getting ready to pick out a pet of their own and for readers who have moved beyond the simplest easy reader books. ( )

Emma is allergic to animals with fur, so she chooses to get a pet anole.

The book would be useful in talking about allergies, pets, and companionship. ( )

Have you ever thought about how many easy readers are, well, not realistic or relevant to the reader? Lots, lots, lots of anthropomorphic animals, most of them behaving as adults, series like Mr. Putter feature elderly adults, Amelia Bedelia (the classic ones at least) feature almost exclusively adults, etc. I can't think of many easy readers that feature everyday children going about their everyday lives. I'm happy to be proved wrong of course - shoot me suggestions if you have any!

Jean Little's Emma series is one of the few realistic fiction easy reader series I've found, but I like it for lots of other reasons as well. Little's characters are sympathetic and realistic, dealing with issues that many children will face as well as broaching a topic that's rarely seen in realistic children's fiction - adoption.

In the first Emma story, Emma's Magic Winter, Emma overcomes her paralyzing shyness with the help of her parents, her new friend Sally, and her own stubbornness. Unlike many new friend stories, Sally isn't the complete opposite of shy Emma. She has a distinct personality and contributes to their friendship, but Emma is definitely the leader. With some suggestions from Sally, Emma uses her own imagination to solve her problem.

In the second Emma story, Emma's Yucky Brother, Emma is thrilled when she finds out she's going to get a four-year old brother, just like Sally! But Max isn't at all what she expected. He's not the cute little boy she thought would look up to her - he likes Sally better and he doesn't respond to her overtures or appreciate her gifts. Max wants to go back to his foster mother - not stay with a new and unknown family. Jean Little draws a realistic portrait of a small child dealing with the difficulties of adjusting to a new home and Emma's disappointment and struggle to befriend Max are presented sympathetically and in a way that young readers will understand.

In the final Emma story, Emma's Strange Pet, Max is now firmly part of the family and desperately wants a furry pet. But Emma is allergic to fur and Max isn't old enough to have a pet anyways. When Emma gets a very strange pet, will Max like it after all? This story shows how Max and Emma, now adjusted to being siblings, still have their fights and squabbles. Emma is upset by Max's behavior and Max just can't face his disappointment over not getting a furry pet. After some compromise, they work out their differences and are friends again.

These aren't just issue books dealing with shyness, making new friends, adoption, and pet allergies. The Emma stories are a realistic look at life that many children can relate to, even if they don't have an adopted sibling or allergies. The writing conforms to the necessary standards for easy readers, simple vocabulary and a plot that is easy to follow, but still manages to incorporate many ideas as well as sympathetic and strong characters. Jennifer Plecas' illustrations add to the text with her depictions of ordinary children enjoying everyday adventures or dealing with the problems that loom large on the horizons of children everywhere; overcoming difficulties, making friends, adjusting to major changes in life, and facing disappointment.

Source: My personal collection and the library
Verdict: Highly recommended for easy reader collections in every library.