Emma Jo's Song — Faye Gibbons

The Pucketts love music. Everyone in the family plays an instrument and sings--everyone except Emma Jo. But sometimes Emma Jo feels a song bursting to get out. No matter how softly she sings, Rip, the old hound dog, raises a howl, and that gets Emma Jo's brother laughing. Then comes the day of the big Puckett family reunion, and the sounds of fiddles and banjos fill the air. Emma Jo's brother suggests that she get up and sing "This Little Light of Mine." Emma Jo opens her mouth--and lets out a quivering squeak. But all ends triumphantly when she gets a little help from a friend. Faye Gibbons's warm and funny story, featuring a spirited girl and her endearing dog, is zestfully illustrated by Sherry Meidell.