What is a Memory? Taught by a Children’s Book

What are memories? Now we could get all scientific and technical and talk about how memories are patterns inscribed between the neurons in your brain. Or we can talk about this cute children’s book I just discovered.

Since I’m no scientist and I don’t pretend to be one you will have to look elsewhere for the scientific information about what memories are.

Instead, I’m going to share with you the adorable children’s book titled Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge.

Facts about the Book

The children’s book Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is written by Mem Fox and Illustrated by Julie Vivas. The book is large and square in size with large pictures and easily manageable word count when reading to toddlers and Young Children.

What is a Memory asks Wilfrid?

Now that you have some facts about the book let’s get back to the big question, what are memories?

The little boy Wilfrid lives next to an old people home and one day find out that his favorite person that lives there is losing her memory.

So he asks the Question What is a memory?

Wilfrid’s dad tells him “It is something you remember.” But Wilfrid was not satisfied with that answer so off he goes to the old peoples home.

At the old peoples home he learns that a memory is:

• Something Warm
• Something from long ago
• Something that makes you cry
• Something that makes you laugh
• Something as precious as gold

After learning what a memory is Wilfrid goes home and gathers:

• Something warm
• Something from long ago (last summer)
• Something that makes his grandpa cry
• Something that makes people laugh
• Something that is as precious as gold

With all of his treasures gathered in a basket, he goes to visit his favorite neighbor and help her remember.

So, What is a Memory?

To each of us, a memory is something different. Many memories look like ordinary things to an outsider but can mean everything to the person living the moment.

Teaching kids about Memories

Older kids

I love the A special Memory free printable from the ladybug’s teacher files for older kids.

Toddlers

For my toddlers, we simply did the same thing as Wilfrid. I got a little basket and we went around the house and gathered the item my kids thought of when I asked them what is something warm, what is something from long ago, etc.

Here is a free printable list to make gathering the items easier.

An alternative to actually gathering items is to use this coloring page and have the kids draw what they think of in response to each item or cut out items from a magazine.