Cinnamon: questions to ask and activities to try
Princess Cinnamon will not speak, until a tiger arrives at the palace. Cinnamon is a strange and beautiful fairy tale by Neil Gaiman about finding your voice.
What age is it for? Cinnamon is best for ages 4–8. Good for: Finding your voice, in a fairy tale from a hot country.
Cinnamon (Neil Gaiman and Divya Srinivasan)
- Age
- 4-8
- Best for
- Finding your voice, in a fairy tale from a hot country
Read it slowly and enjoy the rich pictures. Talk about why Cinnamon might not have wanted to speak, and what helped.
What it helps with
- Finding your voice
- Communication beyond words
- Fairy tales from other places
- Patience with quiet people
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.
- “Why didn’t Cinnamon talk?”
- “Who tried to help?”
- “What did the tiger do?”
- “What were her first words?”
- “How else can people communicate?”
- “When do you find it hard to speak?”
5-minute activities to try together
Without words
Try to say three things using only gestures and faces.
Tiger talk
Imagine what a tiger would say and draw it in a speech bubble.
Free printables: Cinnamon 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
The Glass Heart (Sally Gardner)
- Best for
- An enchanting fairy tale about fragile hearts
- Age
- 5-8
The Midnight Panther (Poonam Mistry)
- Best for
- Feeling different, and finding your place
- Age
- 4-8
There's a Tiger in the Garden (Lizzy Stewart)
- Best for
- Imagination, grandparents and the magic of the garden
- Age
- 3-7
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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.