Fun and Learning with Mr Wolf’s Pancakes

Are you looking for a story that’s both fun to read and full of opportunities for learning? Mr Wolf’s Pancakes by Jan Fearnley is a perfect choice! This delightful tale follows Mr Wolf as he tries to make pancakes, but he soon discovers that cooking isn’t as easy as it looks. Along the way, he meets a host of helpful (and sometimes cheeky) friends.

Whether you’re teaching at home, in an ESL classroom, or in a primary school, this story has something for everyone. Here’s why it’s such a great pick, and some ideas to bring it to life for your students.

About the Author

Jan Fearnley is a celebrated British author and illustrator, known for creating stories that are humorous, engaging, and full of heart. Her books often feature animals in fun, relatable situations, making them perfect for young readers. With her charming illustrations and playful storytelling, Fearnley captures the imagination of children while giving teachers and parents opportunities to explore important skills like sequencing, problem-solving, and vocabulary.

Use these ideas in your next lesson and see the difference in engagement!

Why We Love Mr Wolf’s Pancakes

1. Engaging Storyline – Kids will giggle as Mr Wolf’s pancake plan goes hilariously wrong. The repeated patterns and playful dialogue make it perfect for young readers, especially ESL students who are building their confidence in English.

2. Rich Vocabulary – From food words like flour, milk, and eggs to action verbs like stir, pour, and flip, the story introduces practical vocabulary that children can use in real-life contexts.

3. Problem-Solving and Sequencing – Following Mr Wolf’s pancake-making adventure helps children practice sequencing events, predicting outcomes, and understanding cause-and-effect.

4. Social Skills and Humor – The interactions between Mr Wolf and his friends offer a lighthearted way to discuss friendship, helping, and sharing with young learners.

Activities for the Classroom or Home

1. Pancake Sequencing Cards

Create cards with pictures from the story or draw your own. Ask students to put them in the correct order, retelling the story as they go. This is perfect for ESL learners who need visual cues and sentence practice.

2. Vocabulary Fun

Highlight key words from the story, like ingredients or cooking actions. Students can match words to pictures, act them out, or create simple sentences using the new vocabulary.

3. Pancake Cooking Simulation

Set up a pretend cooking station with playdough, paper pancakes, or even real pancakes if your space allows. Children can follow the steps in the story, practicing listening, sequencing skills, and fine motor skills.

4. Story Retelling Puppets

Make simple wolf and animal puppets to help students retell the story. This encourages speaking practice, creativity, and storytelling confidence in both ESL and native English learners.

5. Writing Prompts

Ask children: What would you do if you were Mr Wolf? or How would you make the perfect pancake? Encourage them to write their own funny story endings or pancake adventures. This builds writing, storytelling, and personal expression skills.

6. Cross-Curricular Fun

For primary teachers and homeschoolers, you can connect the story to math (measuring ingredients), science (mixing and observing changes in food), and art (drawing pancake toppings or illustrating story scenes).

Bring the story to life in your classroom or at home—your students will love it!

Printable and Extension Activities 

To bring the Hygge approach into your classroom or home, create a cozy, mindful environment for reading and activities. Here are some ideas:

1. Cozy Reading Corner

Set up blankets, cushions, and soft lighting for storytime. Invite students to bring a favorite stuffed animal while listening to Mr Wolf’s Pancakes. Reading in a comfortable, warm space encourages focus, imagination, and a sense of calm.

2. Printable Pancake Sequencing Worksheets

Provide worksheets with illustrated steps of the pancake-making process. Children can cut, paste, or color the steps, practicing fine motor skills and story comprehension.

3. Pancake Recipe Cards

Create simple recipe cards with images and words from the story. Students can “follow” the recipe in a pretend play area or at home, building vocabulary and sequencing skills in a hands-on way.

4. Story Dice or Spinner

Make dice or a spinner with characters and actions from the story. Students roll to create their own funny pancake adventures. This encourages creativity and speaking practice in a playful, stress-free manner.

5. Mindful Pancake Moment

Integrate a real cooking activity if possible: let children stir ingredients, count pancakes, or decorate toppings. Focus on the sensory experience—smelling, touching, and tasting—so that learning becomes memorable, calm, and joyful.

6. Cozy Art Activity

Encourage children to draw their favorite scene from the story while listening to soft music. Combine storytelling, creativity, and mindfulness to create a Hygge-inspired classroom moment.

Give these activities a try and see how much fun storytime can be! 

Storytime Videos

Enhance your storytelling sessions with these engaging read-aloud videos:

• Mr Wolf’s Pancakes – Read Aloud by Nigel Planer
  A delightful animated reading that's perfect for classroom or home use.
  👉 Watch on YouTube

• Sarah Ferguson Reads Mr Wolf’s Pancakes
  A special reading by Sarah Ferguson, bringing a unique touch to the story.
  👉 Watch on YouTube YouTube

About the Author

Jan Fearnley is a celebrated British author and illustrator, known for her charming stories that often feature animals in relatable situations. She has written and illustrated over 30 books, including the popular Mr Wolf series. Her works are beloved by children and educators alike for their engaging narratives and delightful illustrations.

• Official Website:
  👉 Jan Fearnley – Author & Illustrator

Bringing the Story to Life

The magic of Mr Wolf’s Pancakes is that it’s more than just a funny story – it’s a springboard for creative learning. You can use it to teach vocabulary, sequencing, problem-solving, and storytelling. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to incorporate cooking, sensory play, and humor into your classroom or homeschool day.

Whether you’re a homeschooler looking for an engaging read, an ESL teacher teaching vocabulary and speaking skills, or a primary teacher or librarian creating a fun storytime, this book will delight your students and inspire interactive learning.

So grab a copy of Mr Wolf’s Pancakes, gather your students (or little ones at home), and enjoy a reading adventure full of fun, laughter, and maybe even a pancake or two!

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