Paper Chase: questions to ask and activities to try
James has a book and Ginger has a paper plane. They meet under a tall tree and become friends, then they're parted. Julia Donaldson weaves their story together with the amazing journey of how paper is made.
What age is Paper Chase for?
Paper Chase is best for ages 4–7.
Paper Chase (Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandy)
- Age
- 4-7
- Best for
- Friendship, and where paper comes from
Only 50pPaper Chase 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 ↓
Follow the paper as well as the children. Afterwards, look around the room for things made of paper and talk about where they came from.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–7 (Reception to Year 2)
- What they'll enjoy
- James has a book and Ginger has a paper plane. They meet under a tall tree and become friends, then they're parted. Julia Donaldson weaves their story together with the amazing journey of how paper is made.
- Helps with
- Friendship, and where paper comes from
- 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
- Friendship and being apart
- Where paper comes from
- Trees and nature
- Recycling
Comprehension and discussion questions for Paper Chase
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 James and Ginger each have when they met?”
- “How did they become friends?”
- “Why were they parted?”
- “What is paper made from?”
- “How many things made of paper can you find in this room?”
- “How can we save paper?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Paper Chase
All 6 questions for Paper Chase 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
Paper hunt
Go round the house and find ten things made of paper. Which could be recycled?
Paper planes
Make paper planes together and see whose flies furthest. Then reuse the paper for drawing.
Paper Chase 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.
Friendship & Kindness bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Smartest Giant in TownSuperwormThe Day the Crayons QuitOi Frog!A Splendid Friend, IndeedAaaarrgghh, Spider!Big Box Little BoxBiscuit BearBlue ChameleonBlue PenguinColin and Lee, Carrot and PeaHanda's SurpriseHappy Birthday, MaisyHello, Friend!Iris and Isaac£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Paper Chase + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:Paper ChaseThe 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 Paper Chase, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about friendship and being apart.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–7 (Reception to Year 2), 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: Follow the paper as well as the children. Afterwards, look around the room for things made of paper and talk about where they came from.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did James and Ginger each have when they met?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Paper hunt. Go round the house and find ten things made of paper. Which could be recycled? Children who finish early can try Paper planes.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Paper Chase 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
Because of an Acorn (Lola M. Schaefer, Adam Schaefer and Frann Preston-Gannon)
- Best for
- How everything in nature is connected
- Age
- 3-7
Lost and Found (Oliver Jeffers)
- Best for
- Loneliness, and the friendships we don't expect
- Age
- 3-7
Stick Man (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Missing home or family, and being away from people you love
- Age
- 3-6
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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.