Ellie's Story: A Puppy Tale
#2 of 4 in A Dog'S Purpose Puppy Tales Series
on Goodreads (5,661)
What’s inside...
Ellie's Story is a heartwarming illustrated novel for young readers by W. Bruce Cameron, inspired by his New York Times bestselling A Dog's Purpose. The story follows Ellie, a search-and-rescue dog trained to find and save people. Her journey not only involves rescuing individuals in physical danger but also helping her handlers, widowed Jakob and lonely Maya, find emotional solace. The book features black-and-white illustrations by Richard Cowdrey, a discussion and activity guide, and has won several awards. It is part of a bestselling series that includes other heartwarming dog stories.
Discussion points
How do you think Ellie feels when she's learning to be a search-and-rescue dog?
What qualities make Ellie a good helper, and how can we apply those qualities in our own lives?
Why is teamwork important in Ellie’s tasks, and how do you work with others to achieve common goals?
How do the people around Ellie impact her journey? Who supports you in your personal growth?
Tip: Role play these questions
Initiate the conversation by sharing your personal thoughts about the themes of dedication and compassion in the book. Encourage your child to express their feelings and perspectives by relating the characters’ experiences to their own. Reinforce the values of hard work and empathy by connecting them with real-life examples your child might encounter. Conclude discussions by asking your child how they might emulate Ellie’s positive traits in school or with friends.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: Ellie's Story: A Puppy Tale portrays the life of Ellie, a search and rescue dog, demonstrating her instinct to help and save people. This depiction allows children to understand the importance of helping others in distress.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being attentive to their friends' and family members' feelings and needs, offering help or comfort when someone is upset or in trouble.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Throughout the book, Ellie is trained to perform search and rescue tasks, showing dedication and responsibility to her duties. This narrative teaches children the importance of being responsible for specific roles or tasks.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to take care of their own belongings, complete their homework on time, or help with chores around the house, understanding that each task is important.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Ellie faces various challenges in her training and missions but continues to strive and not give up. Her story exemplifies the value of perseverance when facing difficult tasks or situations.
Real-World Application: Children can mirror this perseverance in their everyday lives by continuing to work on difficult subjects in school, improving in sports, or mastering a new skill, even when it seems challenging.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Ellie works closely with her handlers and other dogs to accomplish missions, illustrating the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
Real-World Application: This lesson is applicable in group projects at school, sports teams, or family activities where working together with others leads to better outcomes and achievements.