Hayley Wells - Children's Literature: Willy and Hugh

Willy and Hugh

By Anthony Browne

SUMMARY:
Willy and Hugh, which was first published in 1991 by Anthony Browne, is an adorable story involving something special that everyone should experience in their lives and one that children can relate to... friendship. Willy is a lonely little monkey who doesn't have friends to play with until he bumps into Hugh. Hugh is another monkey more than twice the size of Willy! As they talk, go to the library and support each other through the situations that confront them, they become good friends and meet up again the next day.
The illustrations, also done by Anthony Browne, within this narrative are very important as they say more than the text is giving the reader throughout the story. They are presented in the story almost like they were photographs taken and stuck on the page in order of events (a storyboard). The illustration shown on the last page, I believe, made the story and would give any reader that came across it a warm smile.

USE IN CLASS:
Willy and Hugh is a fantastic read for younger primary children and can be used in a variety of ways for a number a topics including:
- Bullying 
Willy and Hugh can be used as a prior knowledge activity to introduce the topic of bullying. Students can access the situation and explain their thoughts, feelings and ideas whilst the book is being read aloud and then a discussion afterwards.

- Identity and Relationships
As a possible learning experience, the heart warming story can be used to explore relationships between people and also who we are as people. What makes people who they are today? Looking at personality, interests, experiences and cultures/different backgrounds.

- Science 
Willy and Hugh can also be used within the science topic, looking at the physical features of animals/mammals, in this case monkeys. By reading aloud to the students, they can take notice of the physical features, discuss them and then later investigate realistic images. Further investigation could lead to behaviour of animals/mammals.

LINKS TO ACARA:
Specifically looking at the topic of bullying, the use of the book within the class of receptions links to ACARA (2012), within the strand of Literature and sub-strand Responding to Literature by stating that students, "Share feelings and thoughts about the events and characters in texts."