Red Is Best: questions to ask and activities to try
Kelly's mother wants her to wear brown socks, but Kelly knows red is best, and she has a reason for every red thing. A Canadian classic about strong opinions.
What age is Red Is Best for?
Red Is Best is best for ages 2–5.
Red Is Best (Kathy Stinson and Robin Baird Lewis)
- Age
- 2-5
- Best for
- Having strong opinions, and explaining why
Only 50pRed Is Best 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 ↓
Ask your child what their ’red’ is: the thing they love most. Let them explain their reasons, just like Kelly.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 2–5 (nursery to Reception)
- What they'll enjoy
- Kelly's mother wants her to wear brown socks, but Kelly knows red is best, and she has a reason for every red thing. A Canadian classic about strong opinions.
- Helps with
- Having strong opinions, and explaining why
- 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
- Having and explaining opinions
- Disagreements about clothes
- Favourite things
- Colours for little ones
Comprehension and discussion questions for Red Is Best
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.
- “Why does Kelly love red?”
- “What does she say about her red socks?”
- “Why does her mum want her to wear other colours?”
- “What’s your favourite colour, and why?”
- “Is it OK for people to like different things?”
- “How can we decide when we disagree?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Red Is Best
All 6 questions for Red Is Best 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
Colour hunt
Hunt for things in your child’s favourite colour around the house. Count how many you find.
Because...
Take turns saying a favourite thing and finishing the sentence ’because...’
Red Is Best 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.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Red Is Best, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about having and explaining opinions.
A 20-minute session for ages 2–5 (nursery to Reception), 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: Ask your child what their ’red’ is: the thing they love most. Let them explain their reasons, just like Kelly.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why does Kelly love red?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Colour hunt. Hunt for things in your child’s favourite colour around the house. Count how many you find. Children who finish early can try Because....
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Red Is Best 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 Bad-Tempered Ladybird (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Being grumpy and picking fights, and learning to share
- Age
- 2-5
I Am Hungry (Michael Rosen and Robert Starling)
- Best for
- Hungry moods, and a very silly squirrel
- Age
- 2-5
Happy (Mies van Hout)
- Best for
- Naming feelings, one bright fish at a time
- Age
- 2-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 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.