Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas, Omnibus Books ISBN 1 86291 064 2

It is published by Puffin and Viking Kestrel in the UK.

It is published by Kane/Miller Book Pub. in the US.

In Sweden it is called Wilfred Alexander Graham Johnson publisher Stockholm: Carlsen.

In Denmark Morten Storbjørn Alexander Hansen illus. Copenhagen: Carlsen Forlag.

In Spain Guilheerme Augusto Araujo Fernandes Morumbi, Sao Paolo: Brinque-Book, Editora de Livros

Resources

1. Mem Fox Reads 2 ABC Spoken Word Cassette - Mem Fox reads Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, Just Like That, Koala Lou and Night Noises Available in Australia from ABC Shops $14.95

Ideas for introducing the book

Show the children some objects that make "memories" for people - eg an old coin collection, a charm from a childhood bracelet, a feather, a photo, an old toy etc and discuss memories.

Activities

1. Invite Senior Citizens to your classroom. Partner each child up with a "Senior" and let them get to know each other. Write the Seniors' biographies complete with snapshots from long ago and not so long ago. Then use a digital camera to take a picture of the students and Senior Citizen to include in the biography.

Thanks to Bonnie J. Carey from Albany, Oregon USA for this idea. Bonnie says that it was one of the best projects that she has ever managed in her classroom. They won a state award, but the best part is that a few of the students and "Seniors" are still penpals.

2. Have a Grandparents Day. Send an invitation to grandparents inviting them to share some activities with the class eg painting, playing cards. Ask them to bring something old that has special memories for them to share with their grandchild. Have a shared morning tea. Take photos and each child can write about the day and this can be sent to the grandparents to make a special memory of the day. See what happened at Hillview SS.

Visit the archive for the students' email list for Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge.

Other book rap resources Stellaluna , Possum Magic, Verdi, My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes and the Teddy Bear Rap on Hillview's Page.

Visit the book rap calendar