Mention of Emmett Otter made me pull out the Christmas book box. I found the book second hand before we ever saw the Henson video. It's by Russell Hoban, with illustrations by Lillian Hoban, the team that brought us Frances (of Bread and Jam, Bedtime, etc.). click. Apparently a stage musical was written in 2008 and it shows up on YouTube.

~ Becky in Tucson, relurking now.