Whistle for Willie - Beyond the Book Resources
Ezra Jack Keats was a groundbreaking author/illustrator. He was intentional about making the having main characters be African American children.
Keats received push back for assuming to understand a Black child when he himself was white. Many believed Keats to be a Black man and were disappointed or shocked to learn that he was white. When ask why his protagonist was a Black child, Keats answered, " I put Black characters my books because they were there. They are inspired by the neighbors and friends I grew up with in Brooklyn. They'd always been there but were never represented in children's literature”.
Themes: Urban Life Grit and Perseverance
Teachable Moments:
This book offers multiple opportunities for learning that go far beyond what's printed on the page or seen in the illustrations. Here's a small sample:
Parts of a Book (Cover, Title, Author, Illustrator, Spine, End Papers...)
Character Traits - How would you describe Peter to someone that hasn't read the book?
Art - Keats created the illustrations for this book using paint and collage methods.
Order of Events /Plot- What did Peter do first, next, and last.
Science- Why did Peter’s shadow stay with him?
Examples Shown with Images are for Reference Only - Not Part of the Download
Extend the Learning with Story-Based Play
Adding an element of play is another way to deepen your child’s understanding of concepts within and beyond a story. According to Hall (1991), young children often develop advanced literacy skills when they engage in play related to a familiar story. Many complex literacy skills develop naturally when the story and play intersect, setting the stage for your child to learn to read and write.
It’s easy. Take a great story, gather toys that align with that story, and get out of the way. Your child will do the rest. The goal is to allow the play to evolve naturally. You’ll be surprised by the amount of learning transferred and reinforced through this type of play.
Here’s Why We Love These Specific Products:
They have direct connections to the book.
They reinforce new vocabulary.
They encourage imaginative play
They make it easy to re-enact parts of the story.
They often take learning beyond the confines of the story.
Few require batteries, screens, or electricity.
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