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‘The Go-Away Bird’ tells the story of a grumpy bird who sits in her nest all day telling those who approach her to ‘go away’. She continues to do this to everyone who tries to befriend until one day she realises why everyone needs some friends to help them along the way.
Undoubtably aimed at a younger audience, this book would be perfect for use within a KS1 or Early-Years classroom (but is also a very enjoyable read for adults!!). Children would definitely enjoy reading the book individually, however, it perhaps more readily lends for use within group reading activities. Donaldson writes in such a way which encourages her audience to join in with the ‘go-away’ phrases and chants repeated by the characters throughout the book; something children would enjoy partaking in during carpet reading times. As well as this, the book offers an important lesson about how the words we use towards those around us can have effects on how they treat us in the future. ‘The Go-Away Bird’ would therefore be the perfect tool to reach for during whole class lessons surrounding treating peers with kindness.
Due to the simple structure Donaldson adopts throughout this story, ‘The Go-Away Bird’ would also be perfect as a model text during creative writing activities. Upon initially getting to know the story, children could create actions and story maps to fit Donaldson’s version. As learning progressed, discussions of the rhyming techniques and descriptive language used would then provide children with a basis to create their own ‘Go-Away Bird’ story. Using the same basic structure and ideas, children may create their own characters, phrases and chants to use within their stories before presenting a moral of their own towards the end of the story.
Overall, a beautifully written and illustrated book and one which I would definitely reach for time and time again within a KS1 or Early Years classroom!
