Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge

Wilfrid is a little boy who lives next door to a care home. He has many friends amongst the elderly residents of the home, and when he learns that one of them is losing her memory, he tries to help her get it back. Nice and touching, if perhaps a little overly optimistic about how dementia works.

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is no ordinary child. He spends his days making friends with the people in the nursing home by his house. Though he enjoys all the people living there, he has a soft spot for one lady in particular, Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper, because she had four names, just like him. Ms. Cooper is losing her memory, though, and WGMP finds a new mission; to bring them back to her. In order to do this, he asks his wise friends at the old people’s home what a memory is exactly. As he sets about his mission, he touches the heart of readers and Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper both.

Personal Reaction:
I’ve read this story many times to my own daughter and I tear up every time. I had a special person who lost her memory show more in my life; my great-grandmother, GiGi. Growing up, I knew her as the Alzheimer patient. Occasionally, my GiGi would light up and tell me stories of her past; of riding trains with her brother to find migrant farm work, of shooting tin cans, of falling in love, of my own grandmother as a child. The book, “Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge,” touches my heart and reminds me that everyone, even those who lost their memories, have special stories that live forever in their hearts.

Classroom extension:
1. Wilfrid Gordon brings Nancy Alison items to jog her memory; something warm, something that makes you laugh, something that makes you cry, something as precious as gold, and something from long ago. Share with students one from each thing that is a memory to you. Then, ask the students to source pictures and create their own memory boards. Each student will write a description of why they chose each item for their memory board.
2. The phrases that describe a memory (something as precious as gold) is a simile. Explain to the students what makes a simile (like or as) and ask students to write sentences using similies. show less

The titular Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is a young boy who lives next to a retirement home, and he visits the residents often. He knows all about them and their hobbies, so when he hears his parents talking about his favorite person, Miss Nancy, and how sad it is that she'd lost her memory, Wilfrid sets out to recover them. First, he tries to find out what a memory is, and he asks all the other residents of the retirement home what memory is, and they all give different answers based on their perspective. Then, Wilfrid makes a collection of objects that reminds him of each answer he got from a person at the retirement home. By going over the objects with Miss Nancy, she recalls memories of her own, and she and Wilfrid share their show more recollections. This book is a good way for children to talk about an older person in their life that may be experiencing some kind of Alzheimer's or dementia. It shows that older people are not scary or sickly, but fun and full of stories and life. show less

I think this story is so sweet, beautiful and gentle. It can be tough to discuss memory issues and understand the realization that memory can disappear one day. In this caring and emotional read, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge befriends an elderly woman named Nancy with whom he shares secrets with. They develop a wonderful friendship and Wilfrid actually helps Nancy regain some memory with certain objects she is familiar with. Although she struggles with memory, as it is not as sharp as it used to be, Wilfred is still able to be a great help to his good friend. I loved this story and it really moved me. I would definitely use the book in my classroom. It could very much come in handy when discussing memory loss like Alzheimers in show more older people. Kids may be able to relate this to their personal lives and gain a better understanding, acceptance and recognize how they do not need to feel alone if familiar with this. The visuals really pulled me in and I liked how there was a major size difference in the illustrations to show the small child, and the older people as larger characters. show less

There aren't enough picture books out there that give honor to elderly individuals. This is one of the most beautifully told, most wonderfully illustrated picture books I have ever read. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge lives next door to an adult care center. He knows each resident, their personalities and their stories. When he learns one of his favorite friends, Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper (who has four names, just like Wilfrid) has lost her memory, Wilfrid sets out to find it again. The perspective of the illustrations keeps the reader at Wilfrid's height. The care center residents are illustrated with great color and friendly personality. A wonderful read aloud perfect for discussions about aging and caring and being a friend.

I LOVE this story! I think Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge is such a sweet young boy for spending time with his elderly neighbors. The fact that he takes the time to do different activities with each one of them and gets to know them individually is exceptionally thoughtful. Most young kids do not appreciate the elderly generation and all the knowledge that can be obtained by having a conversation with them. I think it's very cute when he sets off to try to find a tangible object to describe each of his friend's intangible descriptions of what a memory really is. Like many children, this character thinks of things in black and white and hasn't really grasped the concept of an abstract idea yet. I think this story is such a great one show more because it spans across all age groups and highlights the appreciation that young people should have for the elderly generation. The illustrations in this story were exceptionally well executed, because the illustrator drew the characters just as Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge viewed them - for their personality, not for their age. All of the old people in the story look friendly and inviting, not old and scary, as they are all too often viewed in real life. This is a GREAT story!!! :-) show less

This is a sweet, lovely story of one small boy with many names who lives next to an "old people's home." He knows all the people there, and he likes and listens to all of them. In particular, he especially like Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper, mainly because she has four names just like he does. Holding a special relationship, he tells Miss Nancy all his secrets.

Hearing his parents refer to her as "poor old thing," he learns that she has lost her memory. Because he is a special child who cares about others, he finds his box of memories and he talks to Miss Nancy about all the memories that accompany his objects.''

Soon, Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper begins to remember her , and then they both smiled and smiled. And, an elder show more woman and a very young boy forged a wonderful relationship of memories.

This book epitomizes why I am drawn to children's illustrated books. Periodically, I find a gem that remains with me and is shelved in a place with the special books I've read.

Five Stars show less