Caps for Sale: questions to ask and activities to try
A peddler wakes from a nap to find a tree full of monkeys wearing his caps, and they copy everything he does. A funny classic about frustration and problem solving.
What age is Caps for Sale for?
Caps for Sale is best for ages 3–6.
Caps for Sale (Esphyr Slobodkina)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Frustration, and finding a clever way to solve a problem
Only 50pCaps for Sale activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Act out the peddler and the monkeys: one shakes a fist, the other copies. Ask why getting cross didn’t work, and what did.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- A peddler wakes from a nap to find a tree full of monkeys wearing his caps, and they copy everything he does. A funny classic about frustration and problem solving.
- Helps with
- Frustration, and finding a clever way to solve a problem
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Frustration and losing your temper
- Finding another way
- Copying and following
- Counting and colours
Comprehension and discussion questions for Caps for Sale
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.
- “Where did the peddler keep his caps?”
- “What happened while he was asleep?”
- “What did the monkeys do every time he got cross?”
- “How did he get his caps back?”
- “What do you do when getting cross doesn’t work?”
- “Can you count the caps by colour?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Caps for Sale
All 6 questions for Caps for Sale on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Monkey see, monkey do
Play copycat: one person does actions, the other copies exactly. Then swap.
Cap stack
Stack hats, cups or blocks on your head and walk carefully like the peddler. How many can you balance?
Caps for Sale activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
Big Feelings bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Colour MonsterThe Paper DollsTiddlerWhen Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry…Where the Wild Things AreGrumpy MonkeyNot Now, BernardA Great Big CuddleAnna Hibiscus' SongAugustus and His SmileHappyHarry and the Bucketful of DinosaursI Love You, Blue Kangaroo!Knuffle BunnyPenguin£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Caps for Sale + The Colour Monster + The Paper DollsThe 3 books:Caps for SaleThe Colour MonsterThe Paper Dolls£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Caps for Sale, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about frustration and losing your temper.
A 20-minute session for ages 3–6 (nursery to Year 1), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Act out the peddler and the monkeys: one shakes a fist, the other copies. Ask why getting cross didn’t work, and what did.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Where did the peddler keep his caps?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Monkey see, monkey do. Play copycat: one person does actions, the other copies exactly. Then swap. Children who finish early can try Cap stack.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Caps for Sale activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
Augustus and His Smile (Catherine Rayner)
- Best for
- Feeling sad, and noticing the small things that help
- Age
- 3-6
Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs (Ian Whybrow and Adrian Reynolds)
- Best for
- Losing something you love, and speaking up for it
- Age
- 3-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 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.