Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
It’s time for another update in one of my favorite series on this podcast: Classics From Other Countries. Normally on this show we like to consider children’s picture books from America, determining if they deserve their “classic” status. But how fair is that? Why not consider picture books deemed classics in other countries? We did Duck, Death and Tulip via Germany. We did The Gruffalo via the U.K. So let’s jump on a plane and fly ourselves to Australia for our first Mem Fox classic. What will Kate think when she encounters a book with a title composed entirely out of names? And how many children’s librarians out there can remember the full name at all times? Inquiring minds want to know.
Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, PlayerFM, or your preferred method of podcast selection.
Show Notes:
To get a full dose of info on this book, there is no better place to go than Mem Fox’s own website. Here’s the Wilfrid page, chock full of fascinating info.
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Wilfrid’s dad really shouldn’t be sporting the sweatpants/sweatshirt look. It freaks Kate out.
Rocking the thigh gap. You go, Mr. Drysdale!
Sorry, but I kind of love that Kate was hoping for historical accuracy in these memories. Young Miss Nancy is working the Boho Chic look, long before Boho Chic was even a thing.
Bradley Whitford, everyone! Reading this book! Why? No idea! But it’s there.
And while we’re doing videos, this one about a staged production with puppets is worth your time too:
Look! A book! Longtime listener Stephanie Lucianovic has written a picture book and, I tell you truly, it’s very funny.
Oh, Billy Joe Jive. I’m so happy to find you again.
Hooray! Listener and librarian Barbara actually found a children’s book about beer! Amazing! Apparently this came out in 2018. I missed it. Howzabout you?
Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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The Tale of John Barleycorn was first published in 1982, I believe, and is an illustrated, well-known British ballad. I still have my copy. This is a reissue–not sure what’s changed, but it looks the same.
This makes so much more sense to me. Thank you. The book looked older but when I check B&T it said 2018. This may also account for why I didn’t hear about it last year. It’s easy to miss the reprints.
Adult daycare is actually quite different from senior homes! Adult daycare is just where seniors go during the day. My grandma used to go to one during the day and then come home to her senior living facility. Hers was culture-specific too.
Can’t believe you didn’t list The West Wing in Bradley Whitford’s filmography! That’s what I know him best from.
I don’t think you’re alone. I’ve just never seen the show myself.