John Burningham
Red Fox
Age 5-7
Whenever the little girl visits her Granpa, she goes on all sorts of adventures. He tends his greenhouse whilst she explores a rainforest. He potters around the house whilst she plays. They dance and have fun together. But one day she visits Granpa and he isn’t there. This tender story of a child’s important relationship with her grandfather and the realisation of life without him is sensitively told.
Share the story
Read aloud
Before reading the story, encourage children to look at the cover and to talk about what they notice. Then read through the story, pausing to talk about the pictures.
Join in
As you read and reread the book, encourage children to join in where they can. Their confidence and enjoyment will build as you revisit the book together and children become more familiar with the story and story language.
Talk about the story
Talk together about which part of the story children like best and why.
Talk about the end of the story and ask children what they think happens. How does it make them feel
Tell the story
Using the pictures in the book, children can retell the story in their own words.
Watch the story
Granpa – full animation from groovygnome
Part 1
Part 2
Things to make and do
Share memories
Encourage children to remember times spent with their grandparent (or someone close to them) and talk about their shared experiences. Family photographs can help prompt conversation.
Favourite things
What are the favourite things children do (or did) with their grandparent or someone close to them? Children can fold a sheet of paper into four and draw different activities in each box, adding captions and speech bubbles.
Portrait
Children can choose a photograph of (or remember) a grandparent or another family member. They can draw or paint their portrait and give it as a present or display it at home.
Family stories
Encourage children to ask a grandparent about when they were young. Children will enjoy hearing about their childhood and other family stories.
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