Mortimer by Robert Munsch

​This book brings back a lot of memories for parents who were read Munsch books as kids. Mortimer's words get etched in your brain. He just wants to make noise. At bedtime. Despite the pleas from his family. An absolute classic (funny) bedtime book.
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​⚈​ 1 Play ideas  ⚈​ 2 Classroom Activities  ⚈​ 3 Links to more Resources

​​Get your hands on this book here:
Best of bedtime list - Age 4+

Bedtime routines can shift and shuffle as kids grow older. Take some inspiration from Mortimer (whose family sure yell at him a lot!) and discuss what part of bedtime your kids like the best. What is the most important part of the routine to them? If it were getting too late, what part of the routine would have to be missed out on? Hopefully nobody has a routine that ends up like Mortimer's!

​Read about when we originally did it on Instagram - HERE
Making music - Age 2+

Since Mortimer likes to make noise and rattle and bang, why not make some noise with him? It is amazing how many things in your house already make noise. Pots and pans. A box of small parts. A railing and a spoon. 

Recycled boxes are always great noise makers. A plain box can be a drum. Rubber bands around a box with a hole cut out is fun to twang. Rattles can be easily made with some dry rice taped up inside a yogurt pot. Try singing the words of the book and play along or just sing any favourite songs together. 
  • Read together as a class and practice using quiet, medium and loud voices to the key phrases
  • Write a story about what it is like living in a house with 17 siblings, like Mortimer does
  • Do Mortimer inspired maths - ie. how many pairs of shoes would be in the house if everyone had 3 pairs each?
  • Create art that is linked to music or represents music
Read Robert Munsch's short description about how he came to write the story (his first!) HERE.

Use Mortimer to teach about high and low notes. Find the lesson plan HERE.

The Teaching Children Philosophy website has great questions stemming from the story. Find them HERE.
Click below for other books and activities about bedtime: