Emma's Friendwich
Stuart J. Murphy, author
Stuart J. Murphy, author of the award-winning MathStart books (HarperCollins), has developed a new series for Charlesbridge: I See I Learn®. The I See I Learn® books feature simple stories and visual learning strategies to help young children learn important social, emotional, health and safety, and cognitive skills. Stuart, a visual learning specialist, has also served on the authorship teams of a number of major educational programs. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Stuart and his wife, Nancy, live in Boston, Massachusetts, near their children and three grandchildren, Jack, Madeleine, and Camille.
Read more about the author.
Booklist
From the creator of the long-running MathStart books comes a new visual learning series for preliterate kids that focuses on children's social skills, emotional and physical health, safety, and basic cognitive development. In this title, Emma (who, like all the book's characters, is a friendly looking amalgamation of cute-kid and cute-critter features) longs for a new buddy in her new neighborhood. When she spots same-age Freda playing with blocks next door, she smiles, asks to join her game, and shares toys, and when Freda's pal Percy swings by, she finds herself with two new friends. As in the MathStart titles, Murphy folds his educational points into a warm stand-alone story, and the cheerful, uncluttered, jellybean-colored spreads clearly illustrate friend-making steps (smiling, asking, helping, sharing), which are reinforced in small inset vertical panels and then reviewed again in a closing spread. Both instructive and entertaining, the I See I Learn books are a boon for teachers and parents seeking basic character-education titles for the very young. Additional titles in the series include Percy Plays It Safe, Freda Plans a Picnic, and Good Job, Ajay! (all 2010). —Gillian Engberg
Kirkus Reviews
Murphy's promising (if utilitarian) new series, I See I Learn, uses the concept of visual learning to help reinforce social, emotional, cognitive and health and safety skills. This title, which focuses on Emma's efforts to make friends in her new neighborhood and gives young children some concrete ways to reach out to others, is the standout of the inaugural four. . . . Key words are bolded within the text, while the concepts are illustrated using insets and diagrams. Jones's bright illustrations feature a cast of anthropomorphized cartoon animals. Backmatter includes a list of follow-up questions and activities.
Kutztown University Spring Book Review, March 2012
It can be tough being the new kid! Emma is new in town and even though she loves it, she doesn't have any friends. This book takes you through the steps and strategies Emma uses to try and make a new friend, even though she is feeling shy. In this "I See I Learn" series book the theme is focused on the all-important social skill of making friends. Murphy takes the readers through simple, step-by-step strategies used to make a friend using examples that are realistic and fun. Children will gain confidence through the realization that they too can use these strategies in their lives. . . . Emma's Friendwich would be a perfect book for guidance counselors, teachers, or parents to use as a tool for a child who will be going to a new school. – Erin Engler, Substitute Teacher
Kutztown University Fall Book Review, November 2012
Emma's Friendwich is helpful in teaching kindergarten, first and second grade students the necessary social skills for making and keeping friends. Emma, a friendly and playful character moves into a new neighborhood. Children can easily relate to Emma's enthusiasm for playing. Emma enjoys blowing bubbles, running in the yard and playing tea party with her dog. Eventually, Emma realizes she would like her neighbors, Freda and Percy to join her. With simple words and colorful illustrations, Emma learns that smiling, asking to play, helping and sharing her toys will help her make friends with Freda and Percy. This book is particularly appealing to early childhood educators because Murphy uses diagrams, highlighted words, and colorful pictures reinforce socio-emotional, safety and cognitive skills in young children. The book also provides "A Closer Look" - two pages of activities and questions about the text to use as a teaching guide. – Cheryl Anderson, Elementary School Counselor, Kutztown University Alumna
Learn more about this series, visual learning, and Stuart J. Murphy at www.iseeilearn.com.
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-450-0
Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-58089-451-7
E-book
ISBN: 978-1-60734-231-1 PDF
Spanish Language Edition
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-58089-482-1
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-58089-483-8
Ages: 2-5
Page count: 32
8 x 6 3/4