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Musings from the Public Domain
by Scott Sharkey
23 May 2012 at 5:47pm

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1UP COVER STORY

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

Musings from the Public Domain Cover Story: A view from a world where the "Mickey Mouse" copyright extension act never became law.

he spring release season is now fully upon us, and with it comes the usual trickle of new IPs and a torrent of sequels to comparatively recent franchises. The biggest deal of the season, however, has to be the absolute flood of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King games and films. A&E's blockbuster LotR miniseries is finally moving on to its conclusion, and It's pretty much impossible to visit a flash game portal without tripping over a Minas Tirith tower defense game. Meanwhile, Rockstar's open world take on Rebel Without a Cause has emerged as the definitive reimagining of the flick even against all the major studio remakes, to say nothing of the glut of halfassed student films. Finally, Edmund McMillan's deeply unsettling take on Lolita as a dungeon crawler played from the point of view of the title character is still looking for a bold enough publisher despite sweeping this year's IGF awards.

That's just a small sample of a motley assemblage of games that all have one thing in common: They're all based on properties that entered the public domain this year. The yearly rollout of old properties, both celebrated and obscure, has long since become something we've taken for granted. We even make a point of taking a annual look at what will be emerging from the copyright cage once we're done breaking all our new year's resolutions, and we barely bat an eye when we're treated to a glut of weird furry Lady and the Tramp dating sims. Geeks around the world are already anticipating next year's Superman revival, or dreading his inevitable crossover appearance in every other comic in existence. It's so much a part of the culture at this point that it's easy to overlook the fact that it can all be traced back to a single momentous decision.

We certainly wouldn't be seeing so many films and TV shows based on Sherlock Holmes if the character were still the IP of a single publisher, and we sure as hell wouldn't be seeing him fight Dracula quite so often.

The Nintendo Play Station: A Retrospective
by Jeremy Parish
23 May 2012 at 4:52pm

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1UP COVER STORY

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

The Nintendo Play Station: A Retrospective Cover Story: As Nintendo and Sony prepare to announce the Play Station 4 at E3, we remember the console that set the stage for modern gaming.

s we gear up for E3 2012, the biggest announcement expected to come out of the L.A. Convention Center this year is the latest generation of gaming's console goliath, the Play Station 4. Based on early reports from trusted third-party developers and info leaks from Chinese parts suppliers, the PS4 seems a given -- and with its arrival, the continued dominance of the games industry by joint Sony/Nintendo venture Taido should be a lock as well.

With the PS4 right around the corner, now is as good a time as any to look back at the history of the Play Station family and how two Japanese giants teamed up to put an entire medium in a 20-year hammerlock.

Diablo III Sales Bode Well for PC Games, Poorly for Always-Online Haters
by Chris Pereira
23 May 2012 at 4:31pm

Diablo III was expected to do well, but with so many factors to take into account -- competition from Torchlight II, an always-online requirement, and complaints about a supposedly dumbed-down skill system and colorful art style -- it was hard to say for sure exactly how well it would do. It turns out it did tremendously well; Blizzard has announced the long-awaited sequel has already broken sales records, something the folks over at Activision are pretty accustomed to thanks to Call of Duty. However, Diablo's success may have more far-reaching effects than simply ensuring Blizzard and company are flush with cash.

More than 3.5 million copies of the game were sold in its first 24 hours of availability, according to Blizzard. This figure does not include the freebie digital versions handed out to those who signed up for the World of Warcraft Annual Pass. Over 1.2 million people took advantage of that offer, bringing the total number of gamers with a copy of the game on launch day up to 4.7 million, good enough to make it the "biggest PC game launch in history." After the first week, that figure now sits at 6.3 million.

What If Shigeru Miyamoto Had Become a Manga Artist?
by Kat Bailey
23 May 2012 at 10:29am

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1UP COVER STORY

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

What If Shigeru Miyamoto Had Become a Manga Artist? Cover Story: A timeline from an alternative universe where gaming lacks input from one of its most prolific creators.

t's kind of a fascinating story really. Shigeru Miyamoto, maybe the most influential designer ever, had little interest in videogames until the late 1970s, when he played Space Invaders. Up until that point, he had wanted to be a manga artist. Well, what if he had followed his original dream and done just that? What would have happened to Nintendo? Or videogames in general? Here's one possible timeline.

1979 -- Miyamoto the Manga Artist: Shigeru Miyamoto graduates from the Kanazawa Munici College of Industrial Arts and Crafts. Because Miyamoto's father is a friend of Hiroshi Yamauchi, he soon receives an offer to work for Nintendo. But Miyamoto is something of a free spirit, and he has little interest in videogames. He decides instead to pursue a career as as manga artist.

Does One Award Warrant a Game of the Year Edition for Dead Island?
by Chris Pereira
22 May 2012 at 5:19pm

Dead Island is set to be re-released in a Game of the Year Edition package next month, a fact that is the source of some complaints. It's not so much that the game is being bundled with its DLC that is the problem; it's the labeling of the game as Game of the Year, a title which many feel it is not deserving of.

It is completely understandable why a publisher would want a game re-release to be positioned as a "Game of the Year Edition." That title carries with it a certain connotation of quality, that it was among the very best, if not the best, games released during the year it originally came out. Game of the Year Editions are commonly associated with the likes of Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3, Red Dead Redemption, and other critically acclaimed games. There is a certain expectation that a GotY Edition consists of a terrific game and bonus content (be it downloadable content or expansion packs) that early adopters had to pay extra for, with all of this often coming at a sub-$60 price.

What If the Cost of Games Continued to Rise Since the '80s?
by Marty Sliva
22 May 2012 at 5:07pm

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1UP COVER STORY

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

What If the Cost of Games Continued to Rise Since the '80s? Cover Story: A sad look at a hobby that became too damn expensive.

December 12, 1985

You'll never guess what I got for my birthday! I woke up this morning, walked into the living room, and saw Dad playing Nintendo in front of the TV! He was having trouble with the first level of Mario, so I sat down and helped him jump over the pits until we got to the flagpole at the end. After that, we brought out the Zapper and played Duck Hunt until dinner time. Mom got kinda mad at Dad for buying something so expensive, but he told her that my birthday only comes once a year.

What If the 1993 Video Game Violence Hearings Resulted in Government Censorship?
by 1UP Staff
22 May 2012 at 3:30pm

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1UP COVER STORY

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

What If the 1993 Video Game Violence Hearings Resulted in Government Censorship? Cover Story: Peer into a dark and twisted present we'll (thankfully) never know.

n late 1993, state senators and certified oldsters Joseph Lieberman and Herb Khol got a whiff of this whole "video games" thing and decided to use their unholy powers to investigate the issue. While our friends in Germany and Australia often find amazing games banned outright or plagued with hilariously conspicuous censorship, we Americans escaped with a barely perceptible slap on the wrists thanks to the efforts of testifying industry vets who actually knew the subject at hand. But one can only wonder what the '90s gaming landscape (and beyond) would have looked like if the iron fist of government oppression punched the living daylights out of our beloved hobby...

Book Review: Exploring Video Gaming's Near-Death with "1983"
by Jeremy Parish
22 May 2012 at 2:18pm

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1UP COVER STORY

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

Book Review: Exploring Video Gaming's Near-Death with "1983" Cover Story: Thirty years ago, video games almost died. We examine the possibilities.

ith his latest book, 1983, game journalist and historian Chris Kohler has chosen to take a slightly different tack then he employed for his massive treatise Power Up: How America Gave Video Games an Extra Life a few years back. Rather than approaching the topic of video games from a wide-ranging, all-inclusive perspective, Kohler instead drills down here into a single crucial moment in time for the young medium: The near-crash of the industry in year 1983.

Despite the Orwellian overtones of the title Kohler has selected for his work, there's nothing ominous about the story contained herein -- perhaps, except, the idea that video gaming could have been snuffed out entirely a mere decade after Pong's debut. A combination of gold-rush greed, incompetence, and '80s corporate culture nearly suffocated the fledging entertainment medium just as it was hitting its stride. The Warner corporation's eagerness to cash in on their purchase of Atari, combined with the influx of low-quality, externally developed 2600 games after Activision broke away to become the first third-party developer, nearly buried the industry beneath a deluge of self-cannibalizing mediocrity.

Breaking the Illusion: Not Playing by the Rules
by Chris Pereira
21 May 2012 at 7:07pm

I like to play games in what I imagine is an unusual manner, or at least I thought this to be the case until 1UP members revealed they share some of my habits. One of these things, my propensity for systematically exploring an area before moving on, has reared its head in particularly noticeable fashion as I make my way through Max Payne 3. Playing in this way was clearly something the game's designers accounted for, as evidenced by the collectables scattered throughout, and yet it feels almost as if I'm being punished for deciding to be a completionist.

My process for approaching each area in Max Payne 3 follows the same pattern, only being altered if I'm low on health and out of painkillers (health packs in Max Payne's world). I kill everyone and then proceed to sweep over the entire room, seeking out any hidden spots or areas which do not appear to lead to the next area. As I make my way from one combat area to the next, I'm mindful of my surroundings and am sure to double back to check behind staircases and to see which doors can be opened. I do this all while searching for golden gun components, painkillers, and clues which can be examined. The latter can fill in the backstory but is hardly needed to get the gist of the narrative. I'm able to comfortably do this because there is no ticking clock, even if what Max is doing at any given time suggests there should be, and because enemies come in limited numbers and only in certain areas.

What If?: Gaming's Alternate Realities
by 1UP Staff
21 May 2012 at 6:27pm

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1UP COVER STORY

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

What If?: Gaming's Alternate Realities 1UP explores what might have happened had video game history gone differently.

People love to look back at the past and ask, "What if things had gone differently?" Navel-gazing at history spans cultures and races. Whether it's author Harry Turtledove making a fortune by contemplating how differently the American Civil War would have gone if someone had time-traveled to give the Confederate Army machine guns, or the manga Konpeki No Kantai in which the Japanese navy beats up America in World War II before teaming up to kill Hitler, second-guessing ourselves seems to be human nature.

Maybe it's the competitive nature of the medium, but video gamers seem especially fond of revisiting the past and wondering about alternate outcomes. As the Three Fates in the image above suggest, games have woven a rich and complex tapestry in their mere half-century of existence -- a tapestry whose design and nature could have changed radically had things turned out differently.

Wooden Doll House Accessories

Most famous books for children with the name "Emily" in the title

A guide to the most popular name for girls

"Emily" was the most popular baby name for girls in the U.S. for 12 straight years until it dropped to third in 2008. It's at or near the top of the list in England, Canada and Australia. This Knol is one of a series about famous people, places and things named Emily.

"Ariel and Emily, " by Adele Aron Greenspun and Joanie Schwarz. A picture book about two toddlers, Ariel and Emily, who are best friends. Ages 2-5. (2003) Final note: Greenspun is Schwarz's mother.

"Brad and Emily's Treasure Adventure, " by Mary Hubley, is set on a beach where the kids try to rescue a treasure stolen by pirates. Ages 4-8. (2001)

"Discovering Emily" and "Emily's Dream, " by Jacqueline Pearce, are fictionalized introductions to the life of Canadian artist Emily Carr. Emily loved drawing and painting, but career options seemed limited for a girl growing up in British Columbia in the late 1800s. The first book starts when Emily is 8. For ages 8-11. (2004 and 2005)

"Emily, " by Michael Bedard.. A girl who lives neighbor to the reclusive Emily Dickinson exchanges a gift with the poet. For ages 4-8. (1992)

"Emily and Albert, " by Jan Ormerod. A children's picture book about two friends, Emily the ostrich and Albert the elephant. Ages 4-8. (2004)

"Emily and Alice, " by Joyce Champion. She also wrote "Emily and Alice Again, " "Emily and Alice Baby-Sit Burton, " "Emily and Alice Stick Together, " and "Emily and Alice, Best Friends." This series about the girls, one with pig-tails and the other with a braid, is for young readers. (1993-2001)

"Emily Arrow Promises to do Better This Year" and "Wake Up, Emily, It's Mother's Day!" by Patricia Reilly Giff. Emily is a continuing character in Giff's series on "The kids of the Polk Street School." Emily is good in math, bad in reading and a fast runner. She tries to do what's right but often finds it difficult. Among the other titles in the Polk Street series are "Pickle Puss, " "Purple Climbing Days, " "Say Cheese, ' " "Snaggle Doodle, " "Sunny-Side Up, " "The Valentine, " "Fish Face, " "The Beast in Ms. Rooney's Room, " "December Secrets, " "Look Out, Washington, D.C." and "Next Stop, New York City!" For grades 1-4. (1984-1990)

"The Emily Book, " by Joan Walsh Anglund, is part of a set that includes "The Adam Book" and "The Emily and Adam Book of Opposites." These are sweet, sweet, sweet books for young readers. (1970s) Final note: Anglund's "Love is a Special Way of Feeling" is one of the best-selling children's books of all time.

"Emily Breaks Free, " by Linda Talley, teaches about the hurtfulness of bullying through the eyes of a dog, Emily. Final note: The story takes place along the freedom trail in Boston. Ages 4-8. (2000)

"Emily Cleans Up, " by Mary Man-Kong, is a book to take in the bath tub. (1999)

"Emily and the Crows, " by Elaine Greenstein. A girl named Ivy sets out to discover why Emily the cow is always surrounded by crows. A picture book for adults to read to young children. (1992)

"Emily Dances, " by Jan Ormerod. Emily leaps and kicks when pre-school readers pull tabs on the book. (2000)

"Emily and the Enchanted Frog, " by Helen V. Griffith. Yes, Emily kisses a frog in this collection of three stories featuring fairy-tale characters. For ages 6 and older. (1989)

"Emily Eyefinger" by Duncan Ball. The first in a series for young readers is about a girl born with an eye on the tip of her finger. Others include "Emily Eyefinger, Secret Agent, " "Emily Eyefinger and the Lost Treasure, " "Emily Eyefinger's Alien Adventure, " "Emily Eyefinger and the Balloon Bandits, " "Emily Eyefinger and the Puzzle in the Jungle, " "Emily Eyefinger and the Black Volcano, " "Emily Eyefinger and the Devil Bones, " "Emily Eyefinger and the Ghost Ship, " "Emily Eyefinger and the City in the Sky." For ages 6 and up. (1997-2006)

"Emily Goes Wild, " by Betty Lou Phillips. Emily lives in a fabulous New Orleans apartment with Madame DuBois, but she gets herself into trouble because Emily is, well, a monkey. Madame realizes that Emily needs to be with other monkeys, so she takes her to the zoo. She regrets that decision, but a zoo curator helps her see what's best. There are two other books in this series, "Emily's Manners" and "Emily Works Out, " which started in 2003. For ages 4-8. Final note: The author is an interior designer, which perhaps explains the chic apartment and clothes the characters wear.

"Emily and the Golden Acorn, " by Ian Beck. A picture book about a girl who goes on a voyage when the oak tree outside her window turns into a ship. Ages 4-8. (1992)

"Emily and the Green Circle, " by Mary Kennedy. Emily Crump, 9, has spent most of her life living in a trailer and moving from place to place. When the family's house breaks down in a wood, she wants to stay. No age recommendation, but be aware that the book is 143 pages. (1987)

"Emily and her Monkey Plant a Garden, " by Patricia Ryan. Emily dreams that she and her toy monkey plant a garden to surprise grandpa. Ages 5 and up. (1989)

"Emily Just in Time, " by Jan Slepian. Young Emily wants to stay overnight at her grandmother's house, but she's afraid when she isn't in her own bed at night. It takes time, but eventually Emily thinks nothing of it. This is a picture book. (1998)

"Emily and the Klunky Baby and the Next-Door Dog, " by Joan M. Lexau. Emily gets mad at her divorced mother and runs away with the baby to live with their father. This book is for children from pre-school through second grade. (1972)

"Emily Loves Getting Dressed, " by Caroline Uff. Preschoolers can help dress up the paper doll pirates, ballerinas and other characters (2005)

"Emily Loves to Bounce, " by Stephen Michael King. Watch Emily bounce on one foot, bounce with her cat, bounce into the sandbox. Ages 3-7. (2000)

Emily Allerton is 12 in "Emily Makes A Difference: A Time of Progress and Problems, " part of a series called Sisters in Time. The book is set in 1893, a period when technology is making the world better. But then a depression hits and many Americans are out of work. The book, which aims to teach about history and faith, looks at what Emily can do to help. Ages 9-12. (2001)

"Emily Mouse's First Adventure, " by Heather S. Buchanan. Emily leaves her teapot home to explore the rest of the house in the first of this series for children in second grade and younger. The other titles are "Emily Mouse Saves the Day, "Emily Mouse's Beach House, " and "Emily Mouse's Garden." They were published in the 1980s.

"Emily and the Ostriches, " by Dan Bernstein. Emily is transported to Ostrichville, where she cavorts with the birds and perfects her ballet techniques. Ages 7-9. (1995)

"Emily San" is based on author Barbara Leonard Reynolds' experience living in Japan in the 1950s. The publisher gives no reading age for this 180-page book, published in 1955.

"Emily Santos, Star of the Week, " is part of a six-piece package that introduces kids ages 5-7 to different forms of writing. Rozanne Lanczak Williams is the series author. (2006)

"Emily at School, " by Suzanne Williams, is an easy reader about a girl who finds out second grade is harder than she expected. The book was preceded by "Edwin and Emily" about a brother and sister. Williams, a former librarian, wrote the books in the 1990s. Ages 6-8.

"Emily Smiley and the Mean Queen, " by Philippa Greene Mulford. Nine-year-old Emily's father is remarried and now she has three loud stepbrothers. Even worse, she's the target of a fourth-grade bully, aka the Mean Queen. Also in this series: a book about hockey titled "Emily Smiley Takes a Shot." Ages 7-11. (both 1998)

"Emily the Strange" is a book, but she's really an international pop personality. Rob Reger first printed T-shirts with a drawing of this girl with long, straight black hair. From there, he and friends created Emily and her world -- a red, white and black place centered around a 13-year-old with an attitude and a posse of black cats. It's hard to say what age the book is for. Emily has fans from children to adults. (2001)

"Emily Umily, " by Kathy Corrigan. Emily has a tough time in kindergarten because she stutters, although the book never calls it that. Kids tease Emily because her sentences are filled with "Ummmm." For ages 3-8. (1984)

"Emily and the Werewolf, " by Matthew Brennan. Emily turns to her grandmother and an old book on hypnosis to oust the werewolf in her midst. Ages 10-12. This British book was first published in the U.S. in 1993. Final word: Emily figures out how to shoot lightning bolts from her eyes.

"Emily Wet the Bed, " by Domitille de Pressense, was originally published in French. We couldn't find this picture book, but the name alone qualifies it for this wide-ranging list. (1992 in English)

"Emily's Art, " by Peter Catalanotto. A beautifully illustrated picture book about Emily, a first-grader who pours her heart into her art. Ages 4-8. (2001)

"Emily's Autumn, " by Janice M. Udry. A girl tells her cornhusk doll about the delights of spending summer on her grandmother's farm. No age recommendation from the publisher. (1969)

"Emily's Balloon, " by Komako Sakai. A small child is given a yellow balloon, which she carries everywhere until it floats up and gets stuck in a tree. This lovely picture book is for pre-schoolers. (2006)

"Emily's Bracelet, " by Kandilyn Martin and Frank Martin, uses the colors of the beads in Emily's bracelet to describe her journey to Christianity. Ages 4-8. (2004)

"Emily's Eighteen Aunts, " by Curtis Parkinson. Emily wants an extended family, so she posts a wanted ad at the grocery store and lands herself 18 aunts from a senior citizens center. Ages 5-7. (2002)

"Emily's First 100 Days of School, " by Rosemary Wells. Emily is a bunny just starting school. On Day One the teacher, Miss Cribbage, announces that the class will learn a new number for each of the first 100 days. Find out what Emily does to celebrate learning 100 numbers. Wells is the creator of other popular children's characters, such as Max and Ruby, Edward, and Timothy. Ages 4-7. (2000)

"Emily's House, " by Margaret Huband, is a young girl's description of her life in England in the 1940s - before her family had electricity. No age recommendation but the book is 29 pages. (1997)

"Emily's House, " by Niko Scharer, is about young Emily's creaky old house and the suggestion by her little mouse that she obtain various animals to drown out the noise. Ages 4- 7. (1990)

"Emily's Legs, " by Dick King-Smith. Emily has 99 brothers and sisters, and there's something else unusual about her, too: She has 10 special legs. Oh, and BTW, she's a spider. For young readers. (1988)

"Emily's Moo, " by Tibor Gergely, is a picture book about a cow who cannot moo. For preschoolers. (1969)

"Emily's New Ghost, " by Ann G. Garrison, follows a young girl and her ghost friend Duncan as they look for new companions. For young readers. (1993)

"Emily's Own Elephant, " by Philippa Pearce. Emily's family take in Jumbo, a small elephant, and its monkey friend when a London zoo is unable to keep them. Ages 4-8. (1988)

"Emily's Piano, " by Charlotte Gingras. As her family is falling apart, Emily decides to find the piano that used to bring so much happiness. Ages 9-11. (2005)

Emily's Runaway Imagination, " by Beverly Cleary. Emily Bartlett lives with her parents in an old farmhouse in Pitchfork, Oregon, and dreams of having a library in their small town. This book for young readers is set in an era when people yearn to drive a model-T Ford . Final note: The author is best known for her children's books about Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins and Ralph S. Mouse. Ages 9-12. (1961)

"Emily's Sadhappy Season, " by Stephanie Golightly Lowden, describes a young girl's feelings after her father dies of a heart attack. For ages 5-10. (1993) Final note: the publisher said the book is based on the author's personal experience.

"Emily's Shoes, " by Joan Cottle. The author both wrote and illustrated this picture book for "rookie" readers. The story starts with Emily's mother saying, "Emily, it's time!" Emily then imagines what it's time for - a party or perhaps a soccer game? (1999)

"Emily's Snowball, " by Elizabeth Keown. Emily makes a snowball and other children and adults and even a truck, roll it until it becomes the world's biggest. People arrive from all around to take a look. Then spring comes and the record-setter melts into one big puddle. Ages 4-8. (1992)

"Emily's Tiger, " by Penny Pollock. A bulldog hurts Emily's stuffed tiger, so she takes it to church to receive the blessing of the animals. Ages 4-8. (1984)

"Five Stars for Emily, " by Kathleen Cook Waldron. Emily, 10, hopes her aunt Hannah will take her to Disneyland, but instead they head off to a cabin without indoor plumbing or electricity. Emily's holiday gets off to a rough start but she enjoys it by the end. Ages 9-12. (2004).

"The Friends of Emily Culpepper, " by Ann Coleridge. Young Emily likes to have her friends around, so she puts them in jars where they'll always be available to play. The premise sounds cruel, but the characters in this picture book seem to delight in their circumstances. Ages preschool and up. (1987)

"Happy Easter, Emily, " is one in a series of picture books about a rabbit named Emily. The others are "Happy Halloween, Emily, " "Happy Thanksgiving, Emily!, " "Emily's Dance Class, " "Emily's First Sleepover, " "Emily and Her Daddy, " "Emily's Tea Party, " "Merry Christmas, Emily, " "Princess Emily" "Emily Goes to Day Camp, " "Emily's Ballot Box" "Emily's First Day of School" and "Emily is a Flower Girl." Claire Masurel started the series in 1999. For ages 2-6.

"How Emily Blair Got Her Fabulous Hair, " by Susan Garrison. A picture book about a child who doesn't want straight hair. Ages 4-8. (1995)

"The Journey of Emilie, " by Marcia Hoehne. A German girl, Emilie, 12, and her family emigrate to Wisconsin in the 1850s. She relies on faith, family and friends to see her through. The book is based on the lives of the author's great-great-grandparents. Ages 8-12. (1999)

"It's Just Me, Emily, " by Anna Grossnickle Hines. A picture book about a young child and her mother playing a make-believe game. Emily pretends to be certain creatures and mom guesses which ones. Ages 3-6. (1987)

"Justice for Emily" and "Nobody's Daughter, " both by Susan Beth Pfeffer. In the first book, "Nobody's Daughter, " 11-year-old Emily Hasbrouck must move to an orphanage, where she sees human cruelty, frailty and kindness. In the sequel, a friend dies and Emily must implicate the daughters of the richest men in town. Ages 9-12. (1990s)

"Leo and Emily" and "Leo and Emily's Big Ideas, " "Leo and Emily and the Dragon" and "Leo and Emily's Zoo, " by Franz Brandenberg, follow the adventures of two friends. Ages 3 and up. (1980s)

Emmie Williams is the new girl in the second grade and she quickly forms friendships with Leo and Zack. But the kids find that friendship takes work. "Leo, Zack, and Emmie" and "Leo, Zack, and Emmie Together Again, " by Amy Ehrlich, are for young readers ages 6 to 9. (1997 and 1998)

"Little Bear: Emily's Birthday" is illustrated by Maurice Sendak, creator of one of the most famous books in children's literature, "Where the Wild Things Are." Emily and her doll Lucy make a new friend in the woods, a small brown bear called Little Bear. The other book in the "Little Bear" series in which Emily is a character is "Little Bear's Friend." The series author is Else Holmelund Minarik. Ages 4-8. (1960)

"Loud Emily, " by Alexis O'Neill. Emily is loud from the moment of her birth - so loud her voice shatters plates and scares birds. Then one day she sees a sign on a ship in the harbor, "Loud Help Needed, " and young Emily is off to sea, where her booming words carry over the roar of the ocean and through the thick fog to bring sailors safely home. Ages 4-8. (1998)

"Lullaby for Emily, " by David Kherdian, is a picture book for pre-schoolers. Emily's mother sings to her baby, while the book's illustrations show them in the future engaged in happy activities. (1995)

"Night-Night, Emily!" by Claire Freedman. Emily cannot sleep without her favorite Mr. Teddy, but she tries all kinds of stuffed-animal substitutes. Ages 4-8. (2003)

"The Other Emily, " is a picture book by Kathryn Gibbs Davis. Emily thinks she's the only one with that name, but on the first day of school she finds out otherwise. Ages 4-8. (1984)

"Princess Emily and the Beautiful Fairy, " by Vivian French, is part of a popular British series titled "Tiara Club." Emily and other girls attend the Royal Palace Academy for the Preparation of Perfect Princesses. Ages 6-9. (2005)

"Saving Emily, " by Nicholas Read, is about a heifer named Emily and the two kids who try to save her from the slaughterhouse. Ages 4-8. (2001)

"Secret Emily, " by Carol K. Scism. Emily wants to be part of the Clique-Claque Club, which includes the most popular girls at school, but she also wants to be friends with a girl club members reject. For ages 8-12. (1972)

"Shoes for Amlie, " by Connie Colker Steiner, is about a French family that helps Jewish refugees during World War II. Ages 4-8. (2001)

"Stock Market Pie: Grandma Helps Emily Make a Million, " by J.M. Seymour, is an introduction to money matters. Emily and grandma bake and learn how investors grab their own piece of the financial pie. No age recommendation. (2002)

"The Tail of Emily Windsnap" and "Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep, " both by Liz Kessler. Isn't it odd that Emily and her mother live on a houseboat but the girl has never learned to swim? When the 12-year-old finally takes lessons, she discovers that she's a mermaid. That sends her off on a search for her mer-man father. In the second book, Emily wakes up a sea monster. Ages 9-12. (2004 and 2006)

"Tanya and Emily in a Dance for Two, " by Patricia Lee Gauch, is a picture book about two young ballerinas who become friends when they meet at the zoo and cavort by imitating the animals. They hold the pose of a flamingo and leap like a leopard. Ages 4-8. (1994)

"What Emily Saw, " by Kathryn Otoshi, is a picture book about a girl's day full of adventure. The toys under her bed have a party and pirates escape from a ship in a bottle. Ages 4 and up. (2004)

"When Emily Woke Up Angry, " by Riana Duncan. Emily wakes up mad and imitates angry animals such as a hissing cat and a snorting bull until her mood changes. A picture book for kids 4-8. (1989)

"Wish You Were Here, Emily's Guide to the 50 States, " by Kathleen Krull, is a summer road trip created by young New Yorker Emily Emerson, who hits the highway with her grandmother, identified only as the author of famous books for kids. Final note: One of Emily's observations about Texas is that it has more pickup trucks than any other state. Published in 1997.

Sources: The books themselves, publishers, and catalogues from the Los Angeles Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Phoenix Public Library and Tucson-Pima Public Library.

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