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Has Anyone Seen My Emily Greene?
The perennial game of hide-and- seek between parent and child inspires a lilting text and charming illustrations.
It’s time for lunch, but where, oh, where is Emily Greene? Her father searches for her everywhere, but without any luck. Look carefully, and don’t forget to check behind the curtains! In her first picture book, acclaimed author Norma Fox Mazer teams with renowned illustrator Christine Davenier to create a merry game of hide-and-seek. Readers will delight in searching for giggling Emily and in the warm relationship between this irrepressible little girl and her loving, good-humored father.
It’s time for lunch, but where, oh, where is Emily Greene? Her father searches for her everywhere, but without any luck. Look carefully, and don’t forget to check behind the curtains! In her first picture book, acclaimed author Norma Fox Mazer teams with renowned illustrator Christine Davenier to create a merry game of hide-and-seek. Readers will delight in searching for giggling Emily and in the warm relationship between this irrepressible little girl and her loving, good-humored father.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2007
About the author
Norma Fox Mazer
59 books106 followersNorma Fox Mazer was an American author and teacher, best known for her books for children and young adults.
She was born in New York City but grew up in Glens Falls, New York, with parents Michael and Jean Garlan Fox. Mazer graduated from Glens Falls High School, then went to Antioch College, where she met Harry Mazer, whom she married in 1950; they have four children, one of whom, Anne Mazer, is also a writer. She also studied at Syracuse University.
New York Times Book Review contributor Ruth I. Gordon wrote that Mazer "has the skill to reveal the human qualities in both ordinary and extraordinary situations as young people mature....it would be a shame to limit their reading to young people, since they can show an adult reader much about the sometimes painful rite of adolescent passage into adulthood."
Among the honors Mazer earned for her writing were a National Book Award nomination in 1973, an American Library Association Notable Book citation in 1976, inclusion on the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year list in 1976, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1978, an Edgar Award in 1982, German Children's Literature prizes in 1982 and 1989, and a Newbery Medal in 1988.
Mazer taught in the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults Program at Vermont College.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/norma-fo...
She was born in New York City but grew up in Glens Falls, New York, with parents Michael and Jean Garlan Fox. Mazer graduated from Glens Falls High School, then went to Antioch College, where she met Harry Mazer, whom she married in 1950; they have four children, one of whom, Anne Mazer, is also a writer. She also studied at Syracuse University.
New York Times Book Review contributor Ruth I. Gordon wrote that Mazer "has the skill to reveal the human qualities in both ordinary and extraordinary situations as young people mature....it would be a shame to limit their reading to young people, since they can show an adult reader much about the sometimes painful rite of adolescent passage into adulthood."
Among the honors Mazer earned for her writing were a National Book Award nomination in 1973, an American Library Association Notable Book citation in 1976, inclusion on the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year list in 1976, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1978, an Edgar Award in 1982, German Children's Literature prizes in 1982 and 1989, and a Newbery Medal in 1988.
Mazer taught in the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults Program at Vermont College.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/norma-fo...
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 19, 2011
This is such a sweet father-daughter (and cat) story.
Emily’s father has prepared her lunch but when he calls for her, she decides to play a game of hide and seek with him, and he lovingly plays along. The whole story is told in rhyme, and it’s a catchy one. The love shines through.
The illustrations fit the story so well. Emily, her father, and her cat are very entertaining, and the house interiors are sparsely but beautifully illustrated. The roses (looks like wallpaper) on the inside front and back covers also work well for this story.
The story itself is happy and some children will find it amusing, and it’s suitable for the youngest child. But, on a sad note, the author wrote this book with the plan that her daughter would illustrate it, but her daughter died. She does reveal she’s very pleased with the illustrations in the book, and says their style reminds her of her daughter’s art. This information is in the author’s bio section that’s on the inside back cover. Its location ensures this sad true story does not have to be shared with preschoolers who may be listening to this story; it’s the reader’s call. Children old enough to be independent readers might find this aspect of the book interesting.
Emily’s father has prepared her lunch but when he calls for her, she decides to play a game of hide and seek with him, and he lovingly plays along. The whole story is told in rhyme, and it’s a catchy one. The love shines through.
The illustrations fit the story so well. Emily, her father, and her cat are very entertaining, and the house interiors are sparsely but beautifully illustrated. The roses (looks like wallpaper) on the inside front and back covers also work well for this story.
The story itself is happy and some children will find it amusing, and it’s suitable for the youngest child. But, on a sad note, the author wrote this book with the plan that her daughter would illustrate it, but her daughter died. She does reveal she’s very pleased with the illustrations in the book, and says their style reminds her of her daughter’s art. This information is in the author’s bio section that’s on the inside back cover. Its location ensures this sad true story does not have to be shared with preschoolers who may be listening to this story; it’s the reader’s call. Children old enough to be independent readers might find this aspect of the book interesting.
March 28, 2011
I just adored this sweet, fun, heartwarming story about a delightful afternoon of hide-and-seek at Emily Greene's house. Her father looks all over for her, naming all the sweet things he likes about her: "Has anyone seen my Emily Greene? She's my barefoot dancer / My browneyed prancer/ My girl who loves the color red..." It's just a delightful and cozy story, especially perfect for a daddy-daughter bedtime read.
The illustrations are equally charming. It was with a zing of sorrow that I read in the author's bio that she wrote this book for her daughter to illustrate but then the daughter passed away. Mazer says that she was spellbound when she saw Davenier's illustrations as they are very close to her daughter's style. What a tragic loss for the author and yet I am glad she went ahead with publishing the book; we as readers are so fortunate and I was glad to know the illustrations are so in keeping with the original vision for the story. They are wonderful, right down to the adorable cat that appears on almost every page!
The illustrations are equally charming. It was with a zing of sorrow that I read in the author's bio that she wrote this book for her daughter to illustrate but then the daughter passed away. Mazer says that she was spellbound when she saw Davenier's illustrations as they are very close to her daughter's style. What a tragic loss for the author and yet I am glad she went ahead with publishing the book; we as readers are so fortunate and I was glad to know the illustrations are so in keeping with the original vision for the story. They are wonderful, right down to the adorable cat that appears on almost every page!
December 30, 2019
A father goes looking for his little girl in this charming debut picture-book from Norma Fox Mazer, an author better known for her fiction for older children. The rhyming text - "Has anyone seen my Emily Greene? / Her lunch is ready. It's half past noon. / The table's set - knife, fork and spoon. / I've made oodles of noodles, brown-sugar ham, / and fresh-baked bread with strawberry jam" - follows him through a playful make-believe search (Emily is always lurking behind or around him), until finally he "finds" her, and the meal can begin.
I enjoyed this tale of a loving father-daughter relationship, in which imaginary games play such an important role, and was also touched by the story behind it - Mazer wrote the book intending for it to be illustrated by her artist daughter, who died before the project could be completed. The watercolor illustrations of French artist Christine Davenier, whose style apparently resembles Mazer's daughter's, are fun and full of motion, capturing the Emily's mischievous bent and her father's indulgent cooperation perfectly. Recommended to anyone looking for good children's books featuring the father-daughter relationship, or to anyone who enjoys engaging family stories in general.
I enjoyed this tale of a loving father-daughter relationship, in which imaginary games play such an important role, and was also touched by the story behind it - Mazer wrote the book intending for it to be illustrated by her artist daughter, who died before the project could be completed. The watercolor illustrations of French artist Christine Davenier, whose style apparently resembles Mazer's daughter's, are fun and full of motion, capturing the Emily's mischievous bent and her father's indulgent cooperation perfectly. Recommended to anyone looking for good children's books featuring the father-daughter relationship, or to anyone who enjoys engaging family stories in general.
June 21, 2012
I love that this book depicts a father lovingly preparing food for his little girl and at the same time playing a fun game of hide and seek. The rhyming narrative is entertaining and would certainly appeal to a young child.
We recognized the illustrations by Christine Davenier from her work on the Piper Reed series of stories. I was sad to read that the author had hoped to have her daughter illustrate the book, but I thought it was a nice touch that she mentions that Ms. Davenier's illustrations match her daughter's style.
We enjoyed reading this story together and I look forward to reading more of Norma Fox Mazer's books with our girls as they get older, since most of her stories are for middle-grade/YA readers.
This story was selected as one of the books for the June 2012 - Fathers reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
We recognized the illustrations by Christine Davenier from her work on the Piper Reed series of stories. I was sad to read that the author had hoped to have her daughter illustrate the book, but I thought it was a nice touch that she mentions that Ms. Davenier's illustrations match her daughter's style.
We enjoyed reading this story together and I look forward to reading more of Norma Fox Mazer's books with our girls as they get older, since most of her stories are for middle-grade/YA readers.
This story was selected as one of the books for the June 2012 - Fathers reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
June 14, 2016
Has Anyone Seen My Emily Greene? was a wonderful discovery. I will definitely try it next year in story time. Hide & seek always seems to be a hit. The rhyming and putting one over on father will be added bonuses.
Someone also pointed out the moving author comment by Norma Fox Mazer on the back inside jacket flap. So sad. 7/18/12
The least successful of my PreK outreach books, also the last and I think they were getting antsy for lunch... 6/18/15
Huge hit in story time, lots of them wanted to find her in each spread.
June 2, 2012
Has Anyone Seen My Emily Greene? by Norma Fox Mazer, illustrated by Christine Davenier chronicles a lunch time session of extended hide-and-seek, with father being unable to find his daughter, while he rhymes aloud about her.
Davenier's watercolor illustrations match the charm, heart and fun of this story. I loved seeing the cat in the illustrations! My favorite images are kitchen, table, hiding on chair, behind the curtain, shade up, roar, and final picture.
The rhyming text flows well, and conveys the love father has for his daughter. Father is also very well spoken and patient. A relative had a neighborhood cat that reminds me of the one shown here, who following people around as they move from spot to spot. The sad backstory is well placed at the end of the book. Recommended for school and public library collections. The illustrations are large enough for story time use, but one-on-one reading will probably result in some cuddling time too. 4 star rating.
For ages 3 to 5, hide-and-seek, fathers, daughters, imagination, rhymes, games, and fans of Norma Fox Mazer and Christine Davenier.
Davenier's watercolor illustrations match the charm, heart and fun of this story. I loved seeing the cat in the illustrations! My favorite images are kitchen, table, hiding on chair, behind the curtain, shade up, roar, and final picture.
The rhyming text flows well, and conveys the love father has for his daughter. Father is also very well spoken and patient. A relative had a neighborhood cat that reminds me of the one shown here, who following people around as they move from spot to spot. The sad backstory is well placed at the end of the book. Recommended for school and public library collections. The illustrations are large enough for story time use, but one-on-one reading will probably result in some cuddling time too. 4 star rating.
For ages 3 to 5, hide-and-seek, fathers, daughters, imagination, rhymes, games, and fans of Norma Fox Mazer and Christine Davenier.
June 30, 2012
This is a very charming book. A father playfully looks around the house for his energetic, dancing, giggling daughter, Emily Greene. Having the text written as poetry adds to the playful tone of the book and the watercolor illustrations are lively too! I enjoyed how the cat appears to be playing along with the father and daughter.
It is very sad that Norma Fox Mazer’s daughter passed away before she could illustrate this book but it is wonderful to see that the book was still shared with readers and Christine Davenier was able to capture some of the daughter’s artistic tastes.
Another little note about this author, I read Mazer’s Babyface a million times during my childhood. It was like a pacifier to me, lol. That book also captures a father-daughter relationship, but the daughter is a teen and the relationship is much more complicated.
It is very sad that Norma Fox Mazer’s daughter passed away before she could illustrate this book but it is wonderful to see that the book was still shared with readers and Christine Davenier was able to capture some of the daughter’s artistic tastes.
Another little note about this author, I read Mazer’s Babyface a million times during my childhood. It was like a pacifier to me, lol. That book also captures a father-daughter relationship, but the daughter is a teen and the relationship is much more complicated.
September 5, 2007
Sweet, funny story as Emily "hides" and her daddy pretends not to see her. The rhymes work well. The pictures are a little scratchy for my taste, but they are very expressive--you can see Emily's glee in hiding and her dad enjoying himself NOT seeing her.
May 22, 2023
Hide and Seek is a GREAT game, regardless of a person's age.
(At least, so long as the game is being played voluntarily. Being swindled by a confidence-style crook would definitely count as a variation on Hide and Seek, only not voluntary. I've been on the receiving end of that and am still waiting for the return of my $33,000. On a lighter, brighter note...)
What an adorable love story version of Hide and Seek comes to us here. The story's sweetness is enhanced by whimsical pictures by Christine Davenier, as well as the at-age text by Norma Fox Mazer.
To my ear, Norma's rhymes and (varied) rhythms sound good.
Incidentally, that's not my reaction to most rhyming picture books, sadly. But that's just my particular finicky taste as a sometimes poet.
Here's a sample of Norma's verbal artistry:
Has anyone seen my Emily Greene?
Where is that little jumping bean?
She must be hungry -- it's time for lunch.
I want her; I need her; I miss her a bunch.
For a toddler, Hide and Seek can become a vivid game about "I love you."
Definitely I give FIVE STARS to this lovely picture book.
(At least, so long as the game is being played voluntarily. Being swindled by a confidence-style crook would definitely count as a variation on Hide and Seek, only not voluntary. I've been on the receiving end of that and am still waiting for the return of my $33,000. On a lighter, brighter note...)
What an adorable love story version of Hide and Seek comes to us here. The story's sweetness is enhanced by whimsical pictures by Christine Davenier, as well as the at-age text by Norma Fox Mazer.
To my ear, Norma's rhymes and (varied) rhythms sound good.
Incidentally, that's not my reaction to most rhyming picture books, sadly. But that's just my particular finicky taste as a sometimes poet.
Here's a sample of Norma's verbal artistry:
Has anyone seen my Emily Greene?
Where is that little jumping bean?
She must be hungry -- it's time for lunch.
I want her; I need her; I miss her a bunch.
For a toddler, Hide and Seek can become a vivid game about "I love you."
Definitely I give FIVE STARS to this lovely picture book.
March 4, 2022
A parent and child play a game of hide and seek. Pretty good rhyming pattern, without being horribly sing-songy. The sketchy feel of the illustrations are warm and friendly. And I definitely enjoyed the cat tagging along.
Would definitely recommend for father's day books - include with The One and Only Sparkella, Hair Love, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and similar father-child bonding books. Would also make a fun storytime read on games (especially hide & seek) or family.
Would definitely recommend for father's day books - include with The One and Only Sparkella, Hair Love, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and similar father-child bonding books. Would also make a fun storytime read on games (especially hide & seek) or family.
July 21, 2018
A cute, engaging book that gave me a good chuckle and warm, happy feeling. It is endearing the way that the father pretends to not see and to search for Emily Greene as she 'hides' from him. It is also endearing how he lets her know how much he loves her and how he describes her in loving ways that includes both her playful spiritedness and her soft 'sunniness' as well.
The illustrations were a wonderful accompaniment to the rhyming text.
The illustrations were a wonderful accompaniment to the rhyming text.
May 31, 2019
Sweet rhyming text, but I'm not a big fan of this kind of illustrations (messy watercolor). They bring it from a 4 star to 3 star book. The story is simple, Dad is making dinner and looking for his daughter who is playing hide and seek. Kids love to find her on every page as the dad looks unsuccessfully. A fun read aloud for a father or imagination themed story time.
November 5, 2020
This is a very cute picture book about a father searching for his daughter Emily Greene throughout the day as he does things around the house. It's a very good "hide and seek" style book.
February 28, 2021
I know this is Norma Fox Mazer, but I didn't like the book simply because it tries to rhyme but comes across clunky.
April 27, 2016
Has Anyone Seen My Emily Greene?
Has Anyone Seen My Emily Greene? by Norma Fox Mazer and illustrated by Christine Davenier is about a little girl named Emily Greene and she is hiding from her dad. Her dad says everywhere she is not for example: She’s not in the sink. She’s not in the drawer, not in the pantry and not behind the door. Her dad looks throughout the whole house for Emily Greene and finally she is found behind a door and Emily Greene lets out a big ROAR surprising her dad. He is so happy to find Emily Greene and hug her.
All of the illustrations in this book are double page spread books that are done in water colors. On the front cover there is an amazing water color illustration of Emily Greene and her orange and white tabby cat that follows Emily everywhere she goes to hide from her dad. On the back of the book there is a picture of Emily Greene standing behind her dad while her dad is looking for her in the bathtub and the orange and white tabby cat smiling looking and Emily Greene. The cover flaps has a summary of the story and information about the author and illustrator.
Has Anyone Seen My Emily Greene? by Norma Fox Mazer and illustrated by Christine Davenier is about a little girl named Emily Greene and she is hiding from her dad. Her dad says everywhere she is not for example: She’s not in the sink. She’s not in the drawer, not in the pantry and not behind the door. Her dad looks throughout the whole house for Emily Greene and finally she is found behind a door and Emily Greene lets out a big ROAR surprising her dad. He is so happy to find Emily Greene and hug her.
All of the illustrations in this book are double page spread books that are done in water colors. On the front cover there is an amazing water color illustration of Emily Greene and her orange and white tabby cat that follows Emily everywhere she goes to hide from her dad. On the back of the book there is a picture of Emily Greene standing behind her dad while her dad is looking for her in the bathtub and the orange and white tabby cat smiling looking and Emily Greene. The cover flaps has a summary of the story and information about the author and illustrator.
May 14, 2008
Comments on the Story:
The story is excellent. There is a lot of rhyming and assonance used that helps the book read very well. There is also a lot of repetition on each page as dad is asking has anyone seen my Emily Greene. I think that the words to this book could even be made into a song. This book is also great because it uses simple language that corresponds well with the pictures and this is good for language development in small children. Every object, in which dad searches for Emily Greene, is clearly portrayed by both the language and the pictures.
Recommended Uses for the Book:
This book would be great for a story time. You could ask the children where Emily is really hiding on each page and the pictures are large enough that everyone can see. This book is also great for reading at home. Kids can relate to playing hide and seek and parents often do know where the kids are hiding but pretend they don’t and it just adds the fun and suspense.
The story is excellent. There is a lot of rhyming and assonance used that helps the book read very well. There is also a lot of repetition on each page as dad is asking has anyone seen my Emily Greene. I think that the words to this book could even be made into a song. This book is also great because it uses simple language that corresponds well with the pictures and this is good for language development in small children. Every object, in which dad searches for Emily Greene, is clearly portrayed by both the language and the pictures.
Recommended Uses for the Book:
This book would be great for a story time. You could ask the children where Emily is really hiding on each page and the pictures are large enough that everyone can see. This book is also great for reading at home. Kids can relate to playing hide and seek and parents often do know where the kids are hiding but pretend they don’t and it just adds the fun and suspense.
November 12, 2012
This book is very good for reading specially for toddlers and preschoolers ,it has the excitement so my daughter really pays attention when Im reading it. It is a very sweet book and tells about a relationship between a dad and daughter. It is very touching in a sort of way,it brings me to tears at the very end coz I remember my own Daddy who plays hide and seek with me when I was a child.
June 23, 2012
Story of a playful parent that is "searching" for his beloved Emily Greene who is hiding from him around the house. Totally reminded me of those silly games I would play with my daughter when she was very little. Interest level for this book is preschool or younger.
September 22, 2014
It is time for lunch and Emily's father can't find her anywhere. He searches in the drawer, in the pantry, behind the door, under the rug and even in the tub. Emily is giggling and hiding in every illustration. A great book for developing phonological awareness.
January 13, 2015
Anyone who has ever played the "where is so-and-so" game with a child will enjoy this story of a father searching the entire house for his daughter. I appreciated the author's choice to have the dad be the one at home making lunch.
March 19, 2016
We read this as part of our green story time for St. Patrick's Day and the children really enjoyed trying to find where Emily was hiding on each page and laughing at the way she was tricking her father.
October 2, 2008
I like that one
December 19, 2016
Read at Tales for Twos and Threes on 6/24/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
June 30, 2011
Truman loved this book so much that Mom decided to buy it.
June 22, 2012
Love the illustrations, love the sweet rhyming text, and love the dad "looking" for Emily but unable to find her. My girls enjoyed pointing out where she was hiding on each page. Beautiful book.
February 18, 2013
You don't see a stay-at-home Dad in a book everyday. Bravo.
January 29, 2015
Cute little Daddy/Daughter afternoon fun.
July 6, 2015
A playful reflection of a father and daughter relationship.
January 23, 2008
Love the rhyme and the cute illustration. Fun and sweet without being cloying.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews