Little Wolf's Book of Badness

Little Wolf's Book of Badness
By Ian Whybrow

Activities based on the book.

This is a lovely little book that tells the story of Little Wolf who has been sent away to learn how to behave like a proper wolf with Uncle Big Bad.

Some activity ideas

Using the map

You can use the map while you are reading through the book with the children. It's best if you photocopy and enlarge it. As you work your way through the text follow Little Wolf's progress on the map. Ask questions like... Where will he be going next? What mught happen to him there? Why do you think this?

Take the opportunity to identify features on the map:

pictorial representation of lakes, rivers, roads etc. -> symbols stand for certain things.
compass
scale at the bottom
place names always printed in capitals on map
Little Wolf's route indicated.

Use the map to write own account of Little Wolf's journey (e.g. next day's experiences) by following the route marked on the map.

Letter format

The book tells the story in the format of letters to Little Wolf's parents. This can be explored with the children.

Look at the different ways that Little Wolf signs off his letters e.g. "Yours stuckly". Notice how the words he uses/makes up reflect his mood when writing. Look back at the endings to earlier letters. How was he feeling? Think of alternative words that can be used to express those feelings.

Look at the format of a letter:

address and date at the top of letter (refer to map here)
Dear ........,
main body of letter organised into paragraphs
the ending of the letter and the signature
Any P.S.s

If the children wrote their own Little Wolf letters they would need to pay attention to the letter format and sign off in a suitable manner.