Things English
Do you remember when an English girl named Emily Bennet comes to visit Molly so she will be safe from the war in England? While America and England share many similarities, there are also differences - you may remember some of those differences if you've read Happy Birthday, Molly! To find out more of what life would have been like in England during WWII, check out the links below! You'll also find information about Emily's book, Brave Emily, too.
BBC Primary History: World War 2. BBC. (c2010).
Molly’s friend Emily was from England, and this site provides all sorts of information for kids about what life was like for people in England during WWII. You can find out about daily life in England, food rationing, what it was like for children during the war, and explore an English home - all online! This site also provides a short, simple timeline of the war, too.
(To tour an American home from this era, see the More About the War page.) |
What city was Emily from? Do you remember? Click on the "Sat" button on the map above and see if you can find it.
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Molly and Emily pretended to be like the English Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret in Happy Birthday, Molly! Those princesses really existed! The then Princess Elizabeth is now the famous Queen Elizabeth of England. You can read a short bio about Queen Elizabeth at the link above.
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Children's Hour: Princess Elizabeth. BBC: Archive. (c2010, first broadcast 1940).
Molly's friend Emily left her home in England to come to America where it was safer, and many English children did this during the war. Princesses Elizabeth & Margaret didn't leave England, but they were also affected by the war - as mentioned in Happy Birthday, Molly! To actually hear Princess Elizabeth as she spoke on the radio in 1940 to children who had to leave their homes, click on the link above (if you've seen the Molly movie, you heard part of this in the movie). You'll also see, on that webpage, links to other radio broadcasts by the then Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth.
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Emily Bennett
Have you read Emily's book? Here's a review for, Brave Emily. "Emily is a third grader from London who has been sent to stay with her American friend, Molly, during World War II. Molly helps Emily overcome her shyness and find a way to aid people back home. This is a companion to the "Molly" books (American Girl), and, with its well-paced plot and likable characters, it's an interesting addition to that series. A concluding chapter includes photographs and anecdotes about English children during the period and expands on Emily's story. Lovers of the "American Girl" series can add an English lass to their list." by Krista Tokarz from the School Library Journal as found on amazon.com.
To learn a little bit more about Emily online, check out the Emily Bennett wiki, where you'll find information about her personality, her family, her outfits, and more (including a picture). from Americangirl.wikia.com.
To learn a little bit more about Emily online, check out the Emily Bennett wiki, where you'll find information about her personality, her family, her outfits, and more (including a picture). from Americangirl.wikia.com.