Dogs: questions to ask and activities to try
Big dogs, small dogs, bouncy dogs and lazy dogs. Dogs is a playful book of opposites with a lovely twist at the end.
What age is it for? Dogs is best for ages 2–5. Good for: Opposites, choosing a favourite, and a twist.
Read each pair of opposites and let your child point to the right dog. Before the last page, ask which dog they love best, then enjoy the twist.
What it helps with
- Opposites and describing words
- Choosing a favourite and saying why
- Animals and pets
- A surprise ending to giggle at
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 dog was the biggest? The smallest?”
- “Can you find a scruffy dog?”
- “Which dog was the bounciest?”
- “Which dog do you love best?”
- “Who was telling the story?”
- “If you had a dog, what would it be like?”
5-minute activities to try together
Dog describing
Take turns describing a dog with two words, like “small and fluffy”, and draw it.
Opposite hunt
Find opposites around the house: soft and hard, light and heavy, long and short.
Free printables: Dogs 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
Dinosaur Roar! (Henrietta Stickland and Paul Stickland)
- Best for
- Opposites, rhyme and dinosaurs
- Age
- 0-4
Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell)
- Best for
- First words, animals and lifting the flaps
- Age
- 0-4
Blue Chameleon (Emily Gravett)
- Best for
- Feeling lonely, fitting in, and colours and shapes
- 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.