From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

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What Members Thought

Sandy
This is a very pretty book. The small-ish book just feels nice in your hand, and the paper is thick and lovely. I actually quite liked the illustrations, which were also done by the author. When I look at/page through the book, I imagine something in the spirit of The Tale of Despereaux - and for the most part this feeling is dead on regarding the story's tone.

My one problem with this book is that it has an overuse of inverted sentences and over-cute word use (especially with the overuse of the
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Kristen Jorgensen

Emmaline is a little girl that lives in Neatasapin. The town is made up of cement yards without grass or shrubbery. In this world Emmaline desires a bunny.

I think this is a nice book for early readers. Beautiful color illustrations are on about every page. The writing style is filled with repetitive nonsensical words that can offer a small challenge but are doable. Yet this simple story is definitely on the cutesy side. It's an environmental book that carries a nice message but you have to
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Mary Ann
All of us yearn for a friend, and I clearly remember a point in my childhood when my pets were my closest companions. I could tell them all my secrets, pour my heart out to them and they wouldn't tell a soul. There's a special magic in having such a pet. Emmaline craves a bunny as her special friend. It's a lovely book - perfect for 1st through 3rd graders (or younger children as a read-aloud) who love animals.

Emmaline and her family live in the town of Neatasapin, on Shipshape Street. The town
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Jennifer
I don't know about this book - I think it's excellent for trasitional readers who are just moving from easy readers into chapter books, but the tone is awfully precious and I found the environmental message pretty heavy handed. The watercolor illustrations are an excellent fit for the story and they're very well done. I also like that the book was printed in a more environmentally friendly manner, but that's just not enough to overcome the sickly sweet feeling. ...more
Dest
May 26, 2009 rated it it was ok
This is a (maybe overly) precious story, written in a kind of poetic style, with really charming color illustrations. It's so rhymey-whimey that I think it'd work best as something an adult would read aloud to younger kids, though it's also tinged with sadness because the heroine, a messy girl in a neat town, is so lonely and longs so fiercely for a wild bunny. (Don't worry--it ends happy.) ...more
Tamsyn
Dec 22, 2009 rated it liked it
Read this because it's on a Mock Newbery list. I enjoyed the story about Emmaline, who lives in Neatasapin where everything must be tidy (so no wild animals, among other things). Beautiful pictures and all made in an environmentally way. Loved Ida B., but don't think this is Newbery-worthy compared to others. ...more
Caren
Sep 17, 2009 rated it really liked it
This is a darling little "green" book. It is for younger readers, about 2nd grade level, but good for anyone. A nice little lesson, without really even knowing it, about being good to the earth and the wildlife in it. ...more
Jess Gill
Jan 12, 2010 rated it liked it
i had high hopes for Katerine Hannigan's newest book, as i loved her first work, Ida B. (in fact, i've probably booktalked it more than almost any other title over the past few years). while it was a sweet story, and a number of things about it appealed to me, i felt as though it was trying just a bit to hard to be different, creative, original. and while i love all of those characteristics in a book, especially a children's book, this fell just a bit short. it would be a good chapter book for b ...more
The Styling Librarian
Jun 21, 2009 rated it really liked it
Cute quick read, love the person full of hot air blowing up... yahoo to individuality! :)
Bekah
Mar 18, 2009 rated it really liked it
Really cute story- a lot of fun words- a great read-a-loud (though a bit tongue-twisterish if read aloud) :) I would highly recommend this book.
Chrissy
Jul 06, 2009 rated it liked it
Shelves: kid-s-stuff
A sweet little novel about being yourself, and standing up for what you want. Have to admit though, the language bothered me. i think she was trying to be sweet or storybook-like, but it came out more like Yoda half the time.
DaNae
I was looking forward to this book, as I was a fan of Ida B, but didn't enjoy it's overly cutesy language. I read it to several 1st grade classes and felt like I was patronizing them. ...more
Rachel
Jul 23, 2009 rated it liked it
I thought this was a very sweet chapter book with a green message.
Holly
Very sweet reminder about 'the bigger picture'... ...more
Rachel
Aug 25, 2008 marked it as to-read
Suzy
Dec 29, 2008 rated it did not like it
Danielle
Apr 22, 2009 rated it it was ok
Shelves: picture-books
Natasha (Vasilly)
Jun 09, 2009 marked it as to-read
Shelves: children-s-books
Emily
Jun 16, 2009 rated it really liked it
Mandy
Jul 02, 2009 rated it it was ok
Kathy
Aug 16, 2009 rated it liked it
Holly
Oct 10, 2009 marked it as to-read
Shelves: mocknewbury2010
Kristen
Nov 06, 2009 rated it really liked it
Ellen
Nov 07, 2009 rated it liked it
Shelves: childrensfiction
Sallie
Jan 14, 2010 rated it really liked it
Melisa
Jul 07, 2011 rated it it was amazing
Shelves: children-s, 2011
Chris
Nov 22, 2011 rated it did not like it
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