Using Picture Books: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox

Using Picture Books: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox

A common misconception is that picture books are more appropriate for younger children. Our aim is to show you that they can be valuable for people of all ages. They are also so much more than just a tool for decoding practice. We have suggested a host of different ways to use Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge. Pick and choose the ones you feel are most appropriate for your child. You know your child best!

This book is about a little boy who befriended Miss Nancy, a 96 year old lady who is losing her memory. He asks different people what a memory is and gathers a collection of things to help bring Miss Nancy’s memory back.

Click here to access the book read by Bradley Whitford.

Suggestions on how to use this book

Sequence

With your child, create a timeline for your lives:

  1. You can do this activity with masking tape on the floor for a giant timeline.

  2. Take out photos of you and your family from different time periods and add them to the timeline.

Emotional Awareness

  1. What is a memory?

  2. What triggers different memories? E.g. The smell of lavender may remind you of your grandmother.

Social Awareness

  1. Discuss friendships: Why are they friends with say, Amy?

  2. How we can show kindness: Wilfrid collected things to help bring Miss Nancy’s memory back - what are some of the nice things your child has done for their friends?

General knowledge

  1. Discuss the concept of an old people's home with your child

    1. If they don't know what it is, ask them to make a guess

    2. Ask why they think some old people live in a home instead of with their families

  2. Introduce concepts surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia

Forming an Opinion

  1. Is it better to be young like Wilfrid or old like Miss Nancy - why?

    1. Have a debate and support your child in collecting evidence to justify their views

    2. Write an argumentative essay to express their opinion

  2. Should old people be put in a home - why or why not?

Reflection & Identity

Talk about names with your child:

  1. Where did they get their name?

  2. Does their name mean anything?

  3. Discuss how people from different cultures have very different names.

Creative Writing

The story is written in third person perspective. Get your child to write the story in first person perspective from either:

  1. Wilfrid’s perspective; or

  2. Miss Nancy’s perspective.

Related Projects

  1. Do a time capsule project to remember the present

  2. Make a treasure box and have the child select different objects that are of value to place in the box

Additional suggestions can be found here.