A Whistle for Willie Activities

I’m so glad you’re back for Week 3 of the Reading is a Treasure Summer Reading Challenge! Or maybe you’re not back and you just stumbled onto this post because you like the book Whistle for Willie. Either way…welcome!

Let me just say that I have picked out some fun Whistle for Willie activities, but one of them will NOT be learning to whistle. Why? Because I still can not whistle. Somehow, the boy is able to master this amazing musical talent in a day and I’m going on thirty-hmmm years and still only air comes out from between my lips.

I hope you enjoy sharing this book with your little this week. And maybe some of the Whistle for Willie activities as well.

If you do not have access to this book or would just would like to have a different media to see and hear the book, you can watch the read aloud here.

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Roll, Think and Talk

Sometimes it is hard to get children to answer questions about books that they have read. A question as simple as “What’s the title?” can send some children running. But, being able to answer questions is not just something that you need to know for a standardized test.

Questions can be the start of a good discussion. So, to start a discussion about Whistle for Willie, try this quick FREE dice activity.

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Board Game

Liam and I love to play games. We’ve played Uno, Sorry, Connect Four, you name it, until I am tired of them! Our poor Uno cards have no stiffness left to them. The thing about games is that children don’t realize that they are learning.

As we played this game, Liam and I were launched a discussion about why I can’t whistle. He quite frankly told me I needed to be like Peter and not give up. I tried to explain that I’m going on thirty years of trying but that didn’t sink in and he continued to “preach” to me.

What he loves about this game, though, is the fun ‘switch places’ rule. I don’t know how many times I was ahead and then we had to switch places and then he won. Oh well. I tried not to be a sore loser. 🙂

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“Now I Can” and “I Want to Learn” Writing

Peter wanted to learn how to whistle and by the end of the book, with some perseverance, he was able to.

While Liam did this activity, we were able to talk about some things that he has learned to do.

Bonus, you can throw in some writing and handwriting practice at whatever level they are at (or just draw!).

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Learn to Whistle

I’m going to be completely honest. I have tried for years and years to whistle. I just can’t and I’m fine with that. There’s not much musical talent in my body. I can’t clap and sing at the same time. I can’t whistle. And I can’t snap.

But, if you’ve not given up hope yet (Peter didn’t give up!), then give it a try. check out this cute girls short and sweet instructions on how to whistle. Maybe you’ll have better luck than me!

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Draw a Dog

I’m really starting to enjoy learning to draw with these YouTube videos. Art does not come naturally to me and I love the step-by-step directions that are so easy to follow.

So, give it your best and try to draw your own version of Willie!

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Snack

For Easter, Christmas and other major holidays, my husband always makes my son a fun, themed pancake. He’s made Rudolph, a bunny, Santa, a flag, and others. There’s just something fun about ‘cute food’.

Here are a few “Willie snacks” for you to enjoy!

Hot Dog Willie

Banana Willie

Twix Willie

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Other Stories with Peter and Wille

I love to read books about the same character. With each book I read, I feel like I get to know the character more and more. Often times, I feel like they are a friend of mine.

Ezra Jack Keats wrote many other books about Peter (and each of them feature Willie!). I encourage you to check out some more of Peter’s adventures!

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Go Time

If you have not heard about my Reading is a Treasure Book Challenge, you must! Check out all the details here or sign up below to receive your very own Summer Reading Challenge Map!

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