Emil Tischbein is the main character in the children's novel "Emil and the Detectives," written by Erich Kästner. He is a young boy from Berlin who embarks on an adventure after being robbed during a trip to the city. Emil is characterized by his resourcefulness and determination to retrieve his stolen money. Throughout the story, Emil teams up with a group of local children, forming a detective agency to track down the thief. The novel highlights themes of friendship, teamwork, and the challenges of growing up, making it a beloved classic in children's literature.