EMILY BREAKS FREE
“Emily looked at Cotton’s stricken face and then at Spike’s expectant one. She gobbled the biscuit down, but it didn’t taste as good as she had thought it would.
‘I declare!’ cried Cotton. ‘I do believe the dogs in this town are the meanest ol’ dogs I have ever had the misfortune to encounter!'”
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Fully Illustrated Version
Picture Book for reading with the younger child – ages 3-6
This version of EMILY BREAKS FREE includes all the luminous illustrations just waiting to enchant children of any age, and especially the read-to set.
If the text-only version is better for your needs, then please click on EMILY BREAKS FREE in the Text-Only Version for the serious young reader – ages 6-9.
Happy reading in either Version.
BULLYING – COPING WITH PEER ABUSE
EMILY BREAKS FREE will help address the problem of bullying in a non-threatening context and suggest techniques for responding to a bully.
Emily is a nice, playful little dog. So why would she join forces with a big
bully like Spike? Even Emily is confused about the answer to that question. It’s true that Spike makes Emily laugh, in spite of herself, and he is fun-in a way. Emily is flattered when Spike invites her to tag along with him.
But when Spike begins teasing a fluffy outsider named Cotton, Emily is sorry to see the hurt look on the little dog’s face. And the dog biscuit Spike takes from Cotton does not taste as good as Emily had thought it would. Emily really regrets being lumped together with Spike as among “the meanest ol’ dogs” Cotton has ever encountered.
Just when Emily is wondering how to make things right, a bewhiskered terrier named Emerson saunters onto the scene. A dog of principle, Emerson shows Emily that it is possible to break free of Spike.
Emily’s story unfolds along the Freedom TrailTM, Boston’s famous walking tour of historic sites from the Revolutionary era-the Old South Meeting House, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House, the Old North Church, and more. These scenes of the American struggle for independence from Britain are a fitting backdrop for Emily’s struggle to free herself from Spike and his tyrannical ways!
Author Linda Talley’s compelling, graceful and carefully researched story about resisting bullying and finding freedom is irresistible reading for young and old alike. Illustrator Andra Chase’s captivating watercolor depictions of the colorful cast of characters, as well as her also carefully researched renderings of historic American buildings and other sights on the Freedom Trail will help bring this important story to life for all readers.
A SURPRISE and added bonus is the “Enrichment Information” whch includes lots of facts about the American Revolution, Boston, and the Freedom Trail, as well as interesting notes about Faneuil Hall, the Old North Church, Paul Revere House, Old South Meeting House, Boston Common and more. This is fascinating detail that did not make it into the story itself, but is very rich in colorful descriptions of Colonial Boston.
A second big plus is the “Letter to Parents and Educators” which includes many relevant questions and comments to facilitate conversation with the young reader about the message of the story…how to cope with bullying. So even though on the surface, this is just an engaging story for children, it is also truly helpful in a real way.
There are specific methods to avoid and cope with bullying embedded in the story.
LITERARY MERIT
This book is one of a series of 25 luminously illustrated children’s books, each with an animal protagonist, a compelling geographic location, an important life skills message and multicultural enrichment materials.
Each
