
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the sting of a 'third wheel' dynamic, whether due to a parent's new partner, a new sibling, or a friend making a new connection. This story addresses the complex feelings of displacement and jealousy with a light, humorous touch that makes big emotions feel manageable rather than overwhelming. Emma is a dog who enjoys a perfect life with her owner, George, until his new girlfriend moves in and disrupts their routine. Through a series of hilarious e-mails to an advice columnist, Emma navigates her frustration and eventually learns to adapt to a changing family structure. It is an ideal pick for children ages 5 to 8 who are adjusting to blended families or single-parent dating, offering a safe way to laugh at their own 'inner grumbles' while seeing a path toward acceptance.
The book deals with the 'intruder' trope in a single-parent household. The approach is metaphorical (using a pet's perspective) and secular. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, focusing on compromise rather than the girlfriend leaving.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewA first or second grader who is struggling with 'sharing' a parent. This child might be acting out or retreating because they feel their special bond with a primary caregiver is being threatened by a newcomer.
This can be read cold. Parents might want to pay attention to the e-mail format, which provides great opportunities to discuss how we express feelings in writing versus actions. A parent might reach for this after their child has been unusually clingy, rude to a new partner, or has asked, 'Why can't it just be us again?'
Younger children (5-6) will find the physical comedy of Emma's antics hilarious. Older children (7-8) will better grasp the irony in the e-mail exchanges and the parallel between Emma's jealousy and their own lived experiences.
Unlike many 'new partner' books that can feel overly sentimental or clinical, this uses the graphic novel format and a tech-savvy dog to provide a humorous, distance-creating lens that makes it easier for kids to talk about their own jealousy without feeling 'caught.'
Emma, a high-strung but loyal dog, feels her world collapsing when her owner George brings home a new girlfriend. Feeling replaced and ignored, Emma begins an e-mail correspondence with 'Ask Queenie,' an advice columnist for dogs. The story follows Emma's various attempts to reclaim George's attention and her eventual, reluctant realization that the new human might not be so bad after all.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.