A Splendid Friend, Indeed: questions to ask and activities to try
Bear wants some peace and quiet. Goose wants to chat. A Splendid Friend, Indeed is a simple, funny story about two very different friends finding their way to each other.
What age is it for? A Splendid Friend, Indeed is best for ages 2–5. Good for: Making friends with someone very different from you.
A Splendid Friend, Indeed (Suzanne Bloom)
- Age
- 2-5
- Best for
- Making friends with someone very different from you
Read Goose's lines in a bouncy voice and Bear's in a slow, grumpy one. Pause when Bear gets cross and ask how each of them feels. It's a nice one for a child who's finding a friend hard work.
What it helps with
- Making friends with someone different
- Being patient when someone is annoying you
- Saying how you feel, kindly
- Simple words for early readers
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What did Bear want to do?”
- “What did Goose keep doing?”
- “How did Bear feel about Goose at first?”
- “What changed his mind?”
- “Do you have a friend who likes different things from you?”
- “What makes someone a splendid friend?”
5-minute activities to try together
Different but friends
Each choose a favourite thing to do. Do both, five minutes each, together, and talk about what you liked.
Splendid friend card
Make a card for a friend that says one thing you like about them.
Free printables: A Splendid Friend, Indeed worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
A Friend for Henry (Jenn Bailey)
- Best for
- Autism, friendship and sensory/social differences
- Age
- 4-8
Pumpkin Soup (Helen Cooper)
- Best for
- Sharing jobs, falling out and making up with friends
- Age
- 3-7
The Invisible Boy (Trudy Ludwig)
- Best for
- Friendship, exclusion, quieter children and inclusion
- Age
- 5-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.