Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: questions to ask and activities to try
A told B, and B told C, I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree. A bouncy alphabet rhyme children quickly learn by heart.
What age is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom for?
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is best for ages 2–5.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault and Lois Ehlert)
- Age
- 2-5
- Best for
- Learning the alphabet with a rhythm children love
Only 50pChicka Chicka Boom Boom 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 ↓
Read it with a strong beat and let your child join in on ’chicka chicka boom boom’. Pause to find the letters in their name.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 2–5 (nursery to Reception)
- What they'll enjoy
- A told B, and B told C, I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree. A bouncy alphabet rhyme children quickly learn by heart.
- Helps with
- Learning the alphabet with a rhythm children love
- 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
- Learning letters
- Rhythm and rhyme
- Joining in with a story
- Helping someone who has fallen
Comprehension and discussion questions for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
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 letter went up the tree first?”
- “Why did the tree fall down?”
- “Who came to help the little letters?”
- “Can you find the first letter of your name?”
- “Which letter got hurt, and how?”
- “What happened at the very end?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
All 6 questions for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom 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
Letter tree
Draw a palm tree. Write the letters of your child’s name climbing up the trunk.
Boom boom clap
Clap and stomp the ’chicka chicka boom boom’ rhythm together while saying the alphabet.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom 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.
Communication bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:I Talk Like a RiverAll Join InThe Animal BoogieBilly's BucketBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?Counting with Tiny CatDear ZooDig Dig DiggingDinosaur Dig!Dinosaur Roar!DogsDown by the StationDown the Back of the ChairDriving My TractorEach Peach Pear Plum£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Chicka Chicka Boom Boom + I Talk Like a River + All Join InThe 3 books:Chicka Chicka Boom BoomI Talk Like a RiverAll Join In£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 Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about learning letters.
A 20-minute session for ages 2–5 (nursery to Reception), 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: Read it with a strong beat and let your child join in on ’chicka chicka boom boom’. Pause to find the letters in their name.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Which letter went up the tree first?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Letter tree. Draw a palm tree. Write the letters of your child’s name climbing up the trunk. Children who finish early can try Boom boom clap.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Chicka Chicka Boom Boom 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
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Colours, animals and joining in with repeated words
- Age
- 0-4
The Animal Boogie (Debbie Harter)
- Best for
- Moving, dancing and joining in with a song
- Age
- 2-5
Dinosaur Dig! (Penny Dale)
- Best for
- Dinosaurs, diggers and counting
- Age
- 2-5
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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.