Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge

Fox, Mem. 1985. WILFRID GORDON McDONALD PARTRIDGE. Ill. by Julie Vivas. Brooklyn, NY: Kane Miller . ISBN-10: 0916291049


PLOT SUMMARY
Unlike most children Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is not afraid of old people. In fact he lives next door to an old folk’s home and he knows all its residents. He loves spending time with the residents and learning all that they have to share with him. His favorite resident is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper because she has four manes just like him. Through his talks with Miss. Nancy and the residents he learns what memories are and how wonderful they are to share.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Mem Fox’s tale of how the old and young have something to teach each other is heart warming. The relationship between Wilfrid and the residents is a unique one. Most children are scared of old people and they seem to be an inconvenience to them. Fox used her personal memories with her grandfather, who was in a home to show how special the bond can be with someone older. She even deals with the issue of the elderly loosing their memory and how it does not have to be frightening.
Originally published in Australia the characters in the story work well in both Australia and America. There is nothing about the characters appearance or clothing that makes them “Australian”. However, there are a few words in the book that are not common in America. One example is the word cricket and another example is the word porridge. These words would be an excellent opportunity to introduce younger children to vocabulary from other countries.
Overall the soft pastel illustrations of Julie Vivas and the loving conversations created by Mem Fox make for a beautiful story of love and respect for your elder. This book is a good message for children of all ages.


REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal
A small boy, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, knows and likes all of the old folks in the home next door, but his favorite is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper she has four names, too. Hearing that she has lost her memory, he asks the old folks what a memory is ("Something from long ago" ; "Something that makes you laugh;" "Something warm;" etc.), ponders the answers, then gathers up memories of his own (seashells collected long ago last summer, a feathered puppet with a goofy expression, a warm egg fresh from the hen) to give her. In handling Wilfrid's memories, Nancy finds and shares her own.

Reviews accessed at:
http://www.amazon.com/Wilfrid-McDonald-Partridge-Television-Storytime/


CONNECTIONS
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-literature/PALAZZ~1.HTM
http://www.etvconsortium.com/catalog/..%5CGuides%5Cwilfrid_gordon_mcdonald.pdf
http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/lessonplans.php?odelay=2&d=1&search=1&grade=0&trait=1&l=1