Don't Push the Button!: questions to ask and activities to try
Larry the monster has one rule: don't push the button. But what would happen if you did? An interactive book that tests every reader's self-control.
What age is Don't Push the Button! for?
Don't Push the Button! is best for ages 2–5.
Don't Push the Button! (Bill Cotter)
- Age
- 2-5
- Best for
- Interactive fun and practising self-control
Only 50pDon’t Push the Button! 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 ↓
Let your child decide whether to push the button on each page. Laugh at what happens, then talk about how hard it is not to do something you’ve been told not to.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 2–5 (nursery to Reception)
- What they'll enjoy
- Larry the monster has one rule: don't push the button. But what would happen if you did? An interactive book that tests every reader's self-control.
- Helps with
- Interactive fun and practising self-control
- 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
- Self-control
- Following instructions
- Cause and effect
- Joining in with a book
Comprehension and discussion questions for Don't Push the Button!
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.
- “What was Larry’s rule?”
- “What happened when you pushed the button?”
- “Was it hard not to push it? Why?”
- “How did Larry fix things?”
- “What’s something that’s hard not to touch?”
- “What helps you wait or stop when you need to?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Don't Push the Button!
All 6 questions for Don't Push the Button! 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
Button game
Draw a big red button. Play a game where your child must wait for a signal word before pressing it.
Stop and go
Play musical statues or traffic lights to practise stopping and starting.
Don't Push the Button! 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.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Don't Push the Button!, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about self-control.
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: Let your child decide whether to push the button on each page. Laugh at what happens, then talk about how hard it is not to do something you’ve been told not to.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What was Larry’s rule?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Button game. Draw a big red button. Play a game where your child must wait for a signal word before pressing it. Children who finish early can try Stop and go.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Don't Push the Button! 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
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Mo Willems)
- Best for
- Hearing no, and big feelings when you can't have what you want
- Age
- 3-6
Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell)
- Best for
- First words, animals and lifting the flaps
- Age
- 0-4
The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss)
- Best for
- Making choices when no grown-up is watching, and owning up afterwards
- Age
- 3-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 29 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.