Big Box Little Box: questions to ask and activities to try
How many ways can a cat play with a box? Big Box Little Box is a bold, rhyming book about opposites, a very curious cat, and a surprising new friend.
What age is it for? Big Box Little Box is best for ages 2–5. Good for: Opposites, rhyme and an unexpected friend.
Big Box Little Box (Caryl Hart and Edward Underwood)
- Age
- 2-5
- Best for
- Opposites, rhyme and an unexpected friend
Read the rhymes with rhythm and point to each box. Let your child spot the mouse before the cat does. It's a good one for practising opposites like big and little, in and out.
What it helps with
- Opposites like big and little
- Rhyme and rhythm, for early language
- Making an unexpected friend
- Playing with simple things, like boxes
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.
- “Which box was the biggest? The smallest?”
- “What did the cat do with each box?”
- “Who did the cat meet?”
- “Were the cat and the mouse friends in the end?”
- “What would you do with a big box?”
- “Can you think of two opposites?”
5-minute activities to try together
Box play
Find a big box and a little box. Take turns thinking of things to do with each, like a car, a bed or a hat.
Opposite pairs
Go round the house finding opposites: big and little, heavy and light, up and down.
Free printables: Big Box Little Box 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.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
Oi Frog! (Kes Gray and Jim Field)
- Best for
- Rhyming fun, and talking about rules and speaking up
- Age
- 3-6
A Splendid Friend, Indeed (Suzanne Bloom)
- Best for
- Making friends with someone very different from you
- Age
- 2-5
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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.