George's Marvellous Medicine: questions to ask and activities to try
George's grandma is grumpy and mean, so George decides to make her a marvellous medicine with everything he can find. Roald Dahl's funny, outrageous chapter book.
What age is George's Marvellous Medicine for?
George's Marvellous Medicine is best for ages 6–9.
George's Marvellous Medicine (Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake)
- Age
- 6-9
- Best for
- A funny chapter book, and talking about consequences
Only 50pGeorge’s Marvellous Medicine 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 as a silly story, then talk clearly about never mixing real medicines or household products. Ask what George could have done instead.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 6–9 (Year 2 to Year 4)
- What they'll enjoy
- George's grandma is grumpy and mean, so George decides to make her a marvellous medicine with everything he can find. Roald Dahl's funny, outrageous chapter book.
- Helps with
- A funny chapter book, and talking about consequences
- 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
- Listening to longer stories
- Choices and consequences
- Grumpy relatives
- Safety at home
Comprehension and discussion questions for George's Marvellous Medicine
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 George’s grandma like?”
- “Why did George decide to make a medicine?”
- “What happened when Grandma drank it?”
- “Was George right to do what he did? Why?”
- “What could George have done instead?”
- “Why should we never mix things from the bathroom or kitchen cupboard?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for George's Marvellous Medicine
All 6 questions for George's Marvellous Medicine on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
5-minute activities to try together
Pretend potion
Make a safe pretend potion with water, a drop of food colouring and glitter in a jar. Give it a silly name.
Rules of the kitchen
Make a poster of safety rules: never touch medicines or cleaning things without a grown-up.
George's Marvellous Medicine 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.
Decision-Making bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Cat in the HatOh No, George!The Perfect SofaThe Tiger-Skin RugChocolate CakeYou Choose!Fairytale Fiasco: Hansel and GretelThe Tale of Peter RabbitCakes in SpaceKate on the CaseSpace DetectivesThe Accidental Prime MinisterAgent Weasel and the Fiendish Fox GangAnisha, Accidental DetectiveJumanji£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25George’s Marvellous Medicine + The Cat in the Hat + Oh No, George!The 3 books:George’s Marvellous MedicineThe Cat in the HatOh No, George!£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
Priced low on purpose. Every purchase helps keep the book guides, questions and the game free for everyone.
No PayPal account needed. Your download starts straight away. By buying, you agree to this and give up the 14-day right to cancel. Faulty or missing files are always replaced or refunded. Refunds
Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to George's Marvellous Medicine, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about listening to longer stories.
A 20-minute session for ages 6–9 (Year 2 to Year 4), 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 as a silly story, then talk clearly about never mixing real medicines or household products. Ask what George could have done instead.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What was George’s grandma like?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Pretend potion. Make a safe pretend potion with water, a drop of food colouring and glitter in a jar. Give it a silly name. Children who finish early can try Rules of the kitchen.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The George's Marvellous Medicine 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
The Adventures of Captain Underpants (Dav Pilkey)
- Best for
- Two pranksters and the superhero they create
- Age
- 6-9
The Worst Witch (Jill Murphy)
- Best for
- Getting things wrong at witch school
- Age
- 6-9
The 13-Storey Treehouse (Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton)
- Best for
- A ridiculous treehouse and laugh-out-loud adventures
- Age
- 6-9
Search all our books by what's happening →
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.