Handa's Surprise: questions to ask and activities to try
Handa takes seven delicious fruits to her friend Akeyo, but sneaky animals keep helping themselves. Handa's Surprise is a classic, colourful story set in Kenya, with a lovely surprise at the end.
What age is it for? Handa's Surprise is best for ages 2–6. Good for: Giving to a friend, guessing, and a funny surprise.
Handa's Surprise (Eileen Browne)
- Age
- 2-6
- Best for
- Giving to a friend, guessing, and a funny surprise
Let your child spot each animal taking a fruit before Handa notices. Count the fruit as it disappears, and ask what Handa will find when she arrives.
What it helps with
- Thinking about what a friend would like
- Counting and naming fruits and animals
- Spotting what the characters don't see
- Life in a Kenyan village
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.
- “What fruit did Handa put in her basket?”
- “Which animals took the fruit?”
- “Did Handa notice? Why not?”
- “What was in the basket at the end?”
- “What would you take to a friend?”
- “Which fruit do you like best?”
5-minute activities to try together
Fruit basket
Fill a basket with fruit and take turns secretly removing one while the other closes their eyes. Which one has gone?
Gift for a friend
Choose something small to give to a friend, and think about why they would like it.
Free printables: Handa's Surprise 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 Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Growing and changing, and waiting for something good
- Age
- 2-5
Pumpkin Soup (Helen Cooper)
- Best for
- Sharing jobs, falling out and making up with friends
- Age
- 3-7
Anna Hibiscus' Song (Atinuke and Lauren Tobia)
- Best for
- Big happy feelings, and how to let them out
- 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.