This is a beautiful book and story about the day the lonely wolf decides to try to make up for past bad behaviour by hosting a Christmas dinner for the other animals in the forest; he even buys them presents!
This is a beautiful story to get lost into with children. First, as always, they can try to work out from the cover what the story is going to be about and what might happen. Then they can just listen to it and enjoy the gorgeous and big illustrations. Afterwards we can all check together, a double page at a time, what is happening, whilst picking out the key words and phrases which we recognise and/or want to learn.
Rationale:
I want to use it because it is a really deep and moving Christmas story. I have tears in my eyes every time I read it! Christmas is definitely not all fun and games. It will help us think about the people who, for whatever reason, might be on their own for Christmas. It can also lead to so many discussions and activities.
Outcomes:
This story will generate a range of emotions in the children you read it to, thus making them very engaged in whatever you decide to do with the book. The class could have a vote to express who would have attended the wolf’s dinner and who would not have attended it; they could justify their answers in quite simple French. They can try to imagine what would happen the following year and what present the animals may get for the wolf.
Topics or themes:
Christmas; forest animals; clothes; buying presents; preparing food
Grammar:
No specific grammar point to be highlighted; the language is rich so you could pick any you want your children to work on.
How much time required:
1 lesson
You can buy this amazing book here on Amazon.co.uk. It is big and a hardback so worth every penny!Are you looking for a different type of story for Christmas? Read here about all the ones I recommend!
What is your favourite sad Christmas story, in any language? Please share it in the comments below!
Finally, before you leave, please click here to receive my new resources (and more) regularly straight in your mail box!
Nathalie
Thank you so much to Serena Dawson for bringing this beautiful book to my attention last year in the Facebook group Languages in Primary Schools, also known as LiPS. I do not normally buy a book which I have not actually seen… but am glad I did for this one!
You can watch an introduction to this story and have a sneeky peek inside with this short video, but make sure you come back here!
Language of text: French
Type of text: picture book
Author or source: Thierry Dedieu, published by Seuil Jeunesse
Intended age of students: Key Stage 2/3
Source reference: 9791023509748