When Old Mr Gopher First Got Pockets

From Mother West Wind "When" Stories, by Thornton W. Burgess

Thornton W. Burgess (1874–1965) wrote dozens of nature stories for children in the early 1900s, blending gentle lessons with humour and curiosity about the animal world. This text reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. In this tale, Peter Rabbit wonders why Grubby Gopher has such odd pockets, and Jimmy Skunk tells him the story of the very first Gopher, who learned to dig, discovered roots underground, and asked Old Mother Nature for a way to carry food to his storehouse. It is a story about solving problems with what you have been given.

Band

Yellow · Emerging readers, about 6 to 8

Length

medium · about 572 words in 6 sections · 4 pictures

Source

Mother West Wind "When" Stories, Thornton W. Burgess · Project Gutenberg

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (8 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Colouring page

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