Multicultural Literature Activity

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge

By Mem Fox, Illustrated by Julie Vivas

Brooklyn: Kane/Miller, 1985

About the book:

Wilfrid Gordon lives next to a retirement home and is friends with many of the residents. When he hears that ninety-six year old Miss Nancy has lost her memory, he asks the other residents what a memory is. Based on their responses (something warm, something that makes you cry, something that makes you laugh) he gathers “memories” in a box for Miss Nancy. When he gives the box to Miss Nancy, the items inside help her to recall some of her real memories.

The book’s main character is named after the author’s father and based on her grandfather, and Miss Nancy is named after the author’s mother. It is Mem Fox’s second book.

About the author:

Mem Fox was born in Melbourne, Australia and grew up in Zimbabwe. She considers herself a teacher first and a writer second, though she has published over 20 children’s books. Since 1970 she has lived in Australia and worked as a professor teaching literacy studies. She is known internationally for championing literacy and children’s reading. She retired from teaching at the School of Education at Flinders University, South Australia in 1996. She lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with her husband, Malcolm. For more information about Mem Fox, visit her web site at www.memfox.net/

About the illustrator:

Julie Vivas studied at the National Art School in Sydney. A professor recommended her to Mem Fox when Fox was seeking an illustrator for her first book. Vivas has illustrated several award-winning children’s books and received the Dromkeen Medal in 1992 “for her contribution to the appreciation of children’s literature.” She lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and daughters.

Before reading activities:

Complete the Sentences

Pair the students. One student will read the sentence starters below and the other will complete the sentence and add a sentence or two with more detail. Then have the students switch roles.

The name of one old person I know is ….
He or she is different from me because ….
He or she is similar to me because ….
When I’m around this person, I feel ….

Class Discussion

Have you ever forgotten something that happened, and then remembered it later? How did you feel about forgetting?

After reading activity:

Make a Memory Box

Use the handout to guide students in planning, decorating, and filling their own memory box.

Make a Memory Box

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge collects items in a shoebox to help Miss Nancy find her memories. You can make a memory box, too.

Make a list of some of your favorite memories. Then think of items that would help you remember those memories.

Memory	Item
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Collect all of the items and put them in a box that you have decorated yourself.

Share your memory box with a friend.