Kangaroo Kisses: questions to ask and activities to try
It's time for bed! Not yet! Kangaroo Kisses is a funny, rhyming bedtime book about a little girl who finds every way to put off going to sleep.
What age is it for? Kangaroo Kisses is best for ages 2–6. Good for: Bedtime stalling, and a funny bedtime routine.
Kangaroo Kisses (Nandana Dev Sen and Pippa Curnick)
- Age
- 2-6
- Best for
- Bedtime stalling, and a funny bedtime routine
Read it at bedtime and let your child spot every delaying trick. Then turn the animals' jobs into your own routine: teeth, hair, story, kiss.
What it helps with
- Getting through the bedtime routine
- Stalling at bedtime, with humour
- Rhyme and wordplay
- Winding down after a busy day
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 did she do instead of going to bed?”
- “Which animal did she help first?”
- “Which animal was funniest?”
- “What happened in the end?”
- “What do you do before bed?”
- “What's your favourite part of bedtime?”
5-minute activities to try together
Animal routine
Give each bedtime job an animal: brush teeth like Elephant, brush hair like Bear. Do them in order.
Kangaroo kiss
End bedtime with a special kiss of your own, like a kangaroo kiss or an Eskimo kiss.
Free printables: Kangaroo Kisses 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
Peace at Last (Jill Murphy)
- Best for
- Bedtime, and staying patient when things keep going wrong
- Age
- 2-5
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd)
- Best for
- Winding down at bedtime, and settling to sleep
- Age
- 0-4
Lullabyhullaballoo! (Mick Inkpen)
- Best for
- Bedtime, and a noisy night that won't settle
- 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.