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Emmett and Jez

Illustrated by Bev Johnson

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About The Book

From New York Times bestselling author Hannah Shaw—also known as Kitten Lady—comes the first book in an exciting and heartwarming new chapter book series following kittens and other baby animals in Fosterland!

When a tiny piglet named Emmett bounces off the truck carrying his mother and siblings, he’s lost, hungry, and stuck on the side of the road. He has no idea where he’s supposed to go, or where he belongs.

Then a giant scoops Emmett up and takes him to a wonderful, magical place called Fosterland, where he meets a kitten named Jez. Emmett has a lot of questions, and once he hears all about life as a kitten, he decides it’s much better than being a piglet. So, Emmett decides to just become a kitten instead! Problem solved.

But as both Jez and Emmett grow older and realize they might be headed off to different forever homes, Emmett will have to confront his fears and face the scariest question of all: Is there a Foreverland out there for him?

Excerpt

Chapter 1: Bee Careful CHAPTER 1 Bee Careful
Thud!

The whole world seemed to be spinning around Emmett as he hit the pavement and rolled into a ditch. Ouch. That hurt!

Little Emmett brushed himself off and lifted his head, which was now throbbing, and squinted as he watched a truck disappear into the distance. It all happened so fast. One minute he was squeezed into a truck packed with his mama and siblings, and the next he was tumbling down the interstate, all alone.

Alone. What a terrible feeling! All his (short) life, he’d known the comfort of friends nuzzling against him and the familiar sounds of the barnyard. Now he sat trembling, nothing to keep him company but the whoosh of cars speeding past.

And so there he sat, on the side of the road, waiting for someone to find him. He wasn’t sure who he was waiting for or where he wanted to go—he just knew that he didn’t belong here. His hooves were scuffed, his tummy was making rumbly sounds, and his mouth felt drier than sand. He was only a baby, no taller than the dandelions that surrounded him. For a long while, he sat there under those yellow petals, waiting and squealing.

And waiting. And squealing.

Then, just feet away, a bumblebee landed on a flower petal. Emmett leapt up to call out to her.

“Help! Please, help! I was in one of those… zoomy things… and I’ve fallen… and… I’ve lost my way! I’ve been sitting here alone all afternoon. Can you point me in the right direction?”

Stunned, the bumblebee quickly stuffed her pockets with pollen and flew toward him, landing right on the tip of his fuzzy pink snout.

“Why, it’zzz a baby pig!” the bumblebee said.

“A baby what?” Emmett paused, wondering whether he’d ever heard the word “pig” before.

“Hmm,” he said as he looked cross-eyed at the bee with big dark eyes peeking out from under long curly eyelashes. “I’m afraid I don’t know anything about a baby pig,” he said. “I’m just Emmett. But can you help me?”

“Oh dear,” the bumblebee replied. “Thizzz izzz no place for a baby pig.”

Emmett wiggled his snout in confusion. The truth is that he did not know who he was or where he belonged. All he knew was that he was himself, a little guy as tall as a flower, with a rumbly belly and nowhere to go.



The bee looked west toward the sun and gasped. “Oh dear! I’m afraid I have important bizzzness to attend to,” she said, realizing that she was soon due back at the hive. “Little pig, bee careful!” the bumblebee shouted, and flew off with a gust of wind.

“Wait! Come back! Don’t leave me here!” Emmett called, but it was too late. The bee was out of sight. Sheesh, she sure was flighty, Emmett thought, and flopped against the grass, wondering if he’d be alone forever.

Oh, how he hated to be alone.

The sun was scorching, and he was thirsty. Getting up, Emmett tiptoed along a thin yellow line, trying to make his way toward a puddle shining in the distance. Cars zipped past, honking and blowing hot wind against his side. Emmett was scared, and if this was what it meant to be a pig, he longed to be anyone else—and anywhere else. Finally, he made it to the puddle, and as he drank, he saw in his reflection a fuzzy pink baby looking back at him. He shuddered. “I don’t think I like being a baby pig at all.”

Screeeech! A car came to a sudden stop, and he jolted, splashing water all over himself, as the door opened wide. Emmett backed away slowly as a long shadow fell over him, blocking the sunshine. As if out of thin air, two huge hands wrapped around his tiny body, lifting him toward the sky.

He couldn’t believe his eyes. He was being held by a giant!



Before he knew what was happening, Emmett was sitting in a box on the passenger seat, the trees zooming past his face as if he were flying through space at the speed of light. His mind was racing. Who was this giant? Where was she taking him? And most importantly… would there be snacks?

About The Author

Photograph © Andrew Marttila

Hannah Shaw is an award-winning kitten rescuer, humane educator, and unwavering animal advocate who has dedicated her life to protecting the tiniest and most vulnerable felines. Her project, Kitten Lady, provides educational media and instructional workshops that help individuals and animal shelters learn how to save the lives of kittens—in a fun and engaging format. Hannah is the New York Times bestselling author of Tiny but Mighty and Kitten Lady’s Big Book of Little Kittens. She is also the founder of Orphan Kitten Club, a 501(c)3 charitable organization which provides rescue and adoption services to orphaned kittens in the San Diego area. Visit her at KittenLady.org, YouTube.com/KittenLady, Facebook.com/KittenLady, and on Instagram at @KittenxLady.

About The Illustrator

Product Details

  • Publisher: Aladdin (June 7, 2022)
  • Length: 144 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781665901185
  • Ages: 6 - 9

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