When I Was Young & Other Lette

When I Was Young and Uncle Bill's Secret Wish share the common element of letters, weaving tales that explore themes of communication and humour. When I Was Young is a tall tale told through letters between Karen and her relatives, describing school life in the past with a nostalgic and exaggerated flair. Uncle Bill's Secret Wish introduces the humorous frustration of Wild Bill Miggs, who perpetually receives the wrong mail. Both stories use a variety of typefaces and layouts mimicking authentic letters, supported by varied illustration styles. The texts include punctuation features such as ellipses, parentheses, and exclamation marks, which enrich expression and meaning. These letters provide a playful yet instructive exploration of narrative styles and the tall tale genre.

Educational Benefits:

• Develops understanding of different text structures, especially letters.
• Explores the use of exaggeration in storytelling and humour.
• Enhances punctuation skills with focus on expressive marks.
• Encourages drawing on prior knowledge to interpret texts.

Classroom Ideas:

• Write letters in the style of the book's characters or invent new ones.
• Discuss the role of humour and exaggeration in narrative writing.
• Identify punctuation marks and their effects on tone and meaning.
• Explore historical differences in school life through discussion and research.

Information:

• Ages: 8-11 years
• Reading Level: 25-26 (Emerald)
• Format: Paperback, approx. 48 pages
• Dimensions: 230mm x 185mm