Willow the Wonderer For Schools & Educators
A 'Story-First' Approach to Learning
Willow the Wonderer: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Early Years Learning Resources
" Reeta and Darren,
Your books are incredible.
As a previous prep teacher
the message resonates very strongly."
Debra Herrmann
Principal
The Patch Primary School
Willow the Wonderer aligns to early years and primary school curriculum
Overall Curriculum Mapping
Framework | Key Outcome | Application in Willow the Wonderer |
|---|---|---|
ACARA V9.0 | English: Literacy & Phonics | Using rhyme and rhythmic verse to develop phonological awareness. |
ACARA V9.0 | Health & PE: Mental Health and Wellbeing | Investigating emotions (AC9HPFP03) and developing resilience (AC9HP2P01). |
EYLF V2.0 | Outcome 3: Strong sense of wellbeing | Focus on mindfulness and contentment, emotional regulation, inner happiness, interconnectedness and loving-kindness |
EYLF V2.0 | Outcome 1: Strong sense of identity | Willow's journey of self discovery and understanding uniqueness |
"Willow the Wonderer is uniquely effective in the classroom because it utilises a story-first approach that invites inquiry and discovery, rather than preaching themes to children."
Book-by-Book Curriculum Mapping
Book 1: Willow the Wonderer (Inner Happiness)
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Focus: Inner Happiness, Phonics & Numeracy.
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ACARA English (Foundation): 'Identify and describe emotional responses people may experience in different situations' (AC9HPFP03).
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ACARA Maths (Foundation): 'Connect number names and numerals to quantities, initially up to 10 and then beyond' (AC9MF01).
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EYLF Outcome 4: Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem-solving, inquiry, and experimentation (via the seek-and-find counting game).
Book 2: Willow the Wonderer—Honey Time (Slowing Down)
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Focus: Mindfulness & Phonics.
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ACARA Health (Year 1): 'Practise strategies to manage emotions' (AC9HP1P06).
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ACARA English (Foundation/Year 1): 'Identify and use rhyme and alliteration' (AC9E1LA02).
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EYLF Outcome 3: Children become strong in their social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing as they learn to self-regulate.
Book 3: Willow the Wonderer—Space Odyssey (Belonging)
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Focus: STEM (Astronomy) & Interconnectedness.
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ACARA Science (Year 1): 'Observable changes occur in the sky and landscape' (AC9S1U02).
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ACARA Health (Year 2): 'Explain how personal qualities contribute to identities' (AC9HP2P01) (Reflecting on the 'Overview Effect' and finding where we fit).
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EYLF Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world (Understanding the fragility and beauty of Earth).
Book 4: Willow the Wonderer—The Gift (Resilience)
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Focus: Figurative Language & Grit.
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ACARA Health (Year 2): 'Investigate how success, challenge, setbacks and failure strengthen resilience' (AC9HP4P01).
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ACARA English (Year 2): 'Identify and explain how figurative language (similes, metaphors) creates imagery' (AC9E2LA06).
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EYLF Outcome 1: Children develop knowledgeable, confident self-identities through overcoming fear.
Book 5: Willow the Wonderer—Inner Worlds (Metacognition)
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Focus: Cognitive Reframing & Mental Health.
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ACARA Health (Year 3/4): 'Explain how and why emotional responses can vary and practise strategies to manage their emotions' (AC9HP4P06).
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ACARA English (Year 2/3): Understanding how texts represent different points of view and internal thoughts.
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EYLF Outcome 3: Children develop increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing (The 'antidote' of gratitude).
Note to Educators: This maps the 'Willow the Wonderer' series to the Australian Curriculum (Version 9.0) and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0). It is an illustrative guide, designed to assist educators in Foundation (Prep/Kindy) through Year 2 in meeting Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Literacy, and STEM outcomes.All books are written in rhythmic verse, supporting the "Phonological Awareness" sub-element of the Literacy General Capability.
Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to
teach and inspire
Take a 'story-first' approach to teach emotional intelligence and literacy skills in young children using our Willow the Wonderer series
Use Willow the Wonderer books creatively to develop literacy & numeracy skills
An early childhood educator, Reshmi Gosai, came across our Willow the Wonderer picture book series recently. Excited by the possibilities that the book presented in engaging the little ones in her childcare centre in learning, she immediately snapped up one of our premium giftsets featuring the two picture books and a gorgeous plush toy of little Willow.
Seeing the Willow the Wonderer picture books being embraced by an early childhood educator was in itself gratifying. But what really amazed us was seeing the creative ways in which Reshmi extended the learning through developing new learning outcomes and creating engaging new activity.
With Reshmi and her community's permission, we are sharing her fantastic report on Willow the Wonderer, in case it inspires others to use the books in new and interesting ways to support early childhood education of their little ones.
Impart a lesson in nature based mindfulness whilst teaching complex colours
Willow the Wonderer picture books are stories about knowledge and wisdom - and it is this unique combination that makes them the perfect early childhood education books.
Author, Reeta Dhar, discusses her and Darren's (the books' illustrator's) unique approach to producing picture books and why they make the creative choices they do.
She discusses what 'wisdom' means to them and why they went ahead and also included 'knowledge' i.e. specific early learning outcomes, in every book.
Best of all, she outlines the efforts they go to make early learning effortless - and that means making early teaching also effortless.
A great read for all parents, teachers and educators interested in early childhood development.
Teach the Overview Effect to children and help them understanding their connection to all beings and things.
Nothing evokes wonder like tales of space travel, which is exactly what our little wonderer ends up experiencing in his third book - Space Odyssey. He learns the wisdom of astronauts and discovers a deep sense of connection with his home planets and all things and beings there.
Author, Reeta Dhar shares the backstory and inspirations that went into shaping this grand narrative and the profound wisdom that it imparts.
In researching for the book, she learnt about the human story behind the Apollo and Voyager missions and the phenomena that has come to be known as the Overview Effect. She wove the deep feelings these evoked within the folds of her narrative, hoping to that readers of all age will walk away with a sense of the wonder that the astronauts must have felt.
A wonderful resources for all parents, teachers and educators reading the book to their little one with plenty of anecdotes to share afterwards.
Make learning fun - teaching guides for Willow the Wonderer books
Teachers and early childhood educators who have recently bought or were gifted our new book, Willow the Wonderer, are telling us they love using it in class!
Encouraged by their feedback we are developing a series of teaching aids to accompany the book. These will cover the basics like developing literacy and numeracy skills to more advanced subjects such as creative writing, art, folk literature, poetic rhythm and meter, and of course explore the philosophy and wisdom of happiness.
This first guide focuses on using the book to develop literacy and numeracy skills - the good news is that there isn't much 'teaching' involved at all!
Introduce the concept of poetic metre to young children
Not all poems rhyme but every poem is written to a rhythm - getting the rhythm right is rather important when writing in verse.
Willow the Wonderer's consistent and structured rhythmic pattern makes it perfect to introduce the concept of poetic metre (i.e. writing to a rhythm) to young children.
Learn about the fabulous tradition of fables and why it is the most enduring form of folk literature
Willow the Wonderer is an 'accidental' fable.
In this blog we explore this most enduring form of folk literature, providing a brief overview of the history of fables and our modern day interpretation of this literary form.
An informative and thought provoking read for students and educators of literature.
How do authors come up with stories? Reeta shares some insights
The tale of Willow the Wonderer as you read today was born through a series of deliberate actions, fortuitous accidents, past influences and creative choices.
In this blog author, Reeta Dhar, provide a retrospective on the different factors that came together to shape what we now refer to as 'wise as stories'.
An interesting insight into the creative writing process - and no, it's never a straight line. Lots in here for students and educators of narratives to unpack.
Where do all the ideas for the beautiful illustrations come from? Darren shares his process
Darren Pryce is highly awarded illustrator and artist, recognised amongst the world's best, with a career spanning over thirty years.
In this blog he shares his inspiration and approach for developing the unique and beautiful illustration style for Willow the Wonderer.
An intriguing insight into the creative process, this is a great read for all art, graphics and design students and educators.
What is the 'right' age to talk about happiness to young children?
Willow the Wonderer is an enchanting picture book about the search for happiness. A question that has come up a number of times in reviews and conversations though is 'what is the right age to talk about happiness with children? Is it too deep and philosophical a subject for the young ones?'
These question goes to the heart of why Darren and I decided to pick up our pens and pencils and produce the Willow the Wonderer picture books.
We share our thoughts on happiness and the impact of the narratives we grow up with in this blog.
The books we study at school can go on to shape us - Choose well :)
I grew up in the Fiji Islands - and yes, it was as idyllic as it sounds. Balmy climate, ripe mangoes straight off the trees, fresh fish, prawns and lobster ... I could go on. But if I had to choose, my best childhood memories revolve around the time when school holidays were ending and it was time to return back to school.
Why? Because that was the only time in the year when we would receive new (well newish) books.
Here's a nostalgic look back at those wonderful times and an ode to the books I studied for English Literature that went on to shape me. Hope it inspires others to love 'back to school' time as much as I did!
What Educators Say
I loved your picture book. Mel bought a copy for me and I will be reading it to my class at the beginning of the year :)
Sara
Primary School Teacher
The book reading was so lovely. Would love to have you in our daycare.
Davina
Early Childhood Educator
It's perfect for little children and big ones too - has rhyming, counting and philosophy.
Pam
Librarian
“The human species thinks in metaphors and learns through stories.”