One Christmas Eve: questions to ask and activities to try
Mole is late for Percy the Park Keeper's Christmas Eve party, so Percy and the animals set out into the snow to find him. On the way, they get the most wonderful surprise.
What age is One Christmas Eve for?
One Christmas Eve is best for ages 3–6.
One Christmas Eve (Nick Butterworth)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- A cosy Christmas Eve story about friends
Only 50pOne Christmas Eve 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 on a winter evening. Talk about what you do when a friend is missing, and what makes Christmas Eve special in your family.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- Mole is late for Percy the Park Keeper's Christmas Eve party, so Percy and the animals set out into the snow to find him. On the way, they get the most wonderful surprise.
- Helps with
- A cosy Christmas Eve story about friends
- 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
- Looking out for friends
- Christmas traditions
- Patience on Christmas Eve
- Kindness
Comprehension and discussion questions for One Christmas Eve
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.
- “Who was late for Percy’s party?”
- “Why did Percy and the animals go out into the snow?”
- “Who did they see on the way?”
- “How do you think Mole felt when his friends came looking for him?”
- “What do you like to do on Christmas Eve?”
- “How can you tell if a friend needs help?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for One Christmas Eve
All 6 questions for One Christmas Eve 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
Party invitations
Make a little invitation for a pretend party for your child’s toys, and plan what each guest will bring.
Christmas Eve plan
Draw three things your family does on Christmas Eve, or three you would like to start doing.
One Christmas Eve 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.
Christmas bundleChristmas activity pack + 5 activity sheets, this one includedThe 5 books:One Christmas EveStick ManThe Jolly Christmas PostmanHow the Grinch Stole Christmas!Squirrel's Snowman£6.99🛒 Shop · £1.25
3 sheets for £1.25One Christmas Eve + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:One Christmas EveThe Smartest Giant in TownSuperworm£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to One Christmas Eve, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about looking out for friends.
A 20-minute session for ages 3–6 (nursery to Year 1), 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 on a winter evening. Talk about what you do when a friend is missing, and what makes Christmas Eve special in your family.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Who was late for Percy’s party?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Party invitations. Make a little invitation for a pretend party for your child’s toys, and plan what each guest will bring. Children who finish early can try Christmas Eve plan.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The One Christmas Eve 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
Owl Babies (Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson)
- Best for
- Missing a parent, and trusting they'll come back
- Age
- 2-5
Peace at Last (Jill Murphy)
- Best for
- Bedtime, and staying patient when things keep going wrong
- Age
- 2-5
The Snowy Day (Ezra Jack Keats)
- Best for
- The wonder of snow, and exploring the world on your own terms
- Age
- 2-5
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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.
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