Seahorses Are Sold Out: questions to ask and activities to try
Mika's dad is too busy working from home, so Mika is sent to buy a quiet pet. Seahorses Are Sold Out is a funny, chaotic story about busy parents and children who want their attention.
What age is it for? Seahorses Are Sold Out is best for ages 3–7. Good for: A busy parent working from home, and a very funny pet shop.
Seahorses Are Sold Out (Constanze Spengler and Katja Gehrmann)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- A busy parent working from home, and a very funny pet shop
Enjoy the chaos, and then talk about what Mika really wanted. It's a gentle way to talk about busy grown-ups and time together.
What it helps with
- Busy parents and working from home
- Wanting a grown-up's attention
- Promises and keeping them
- Humour and chaos
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.
- “Why was Dad so busy?”
- “What had he promised Mika?”
- “What pet was Mika meant to get?”
- “What did Mika bring home?”
- “What did Mika really want?”
- “What do you like doing with your grown-up?”
5-minute activities to try together
Pet shop
Set up a pretend pet shop with toys. What's the silliest pet you could buy?
Together time
Pick one thing to do together this week and put it on the calendar.
Free printables: Seahorses Are Sold Out 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.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
Not Now, Bernard (David McKee)
- Best for
- Feeling ignored, and talking about listening to each other
- Age
- 3-7
Dogs (Emily Gravett)
- Best for
- Opposites, choosing a favourite, and a twist
- Age
- 2-5
Our Very Own Dog (Amanda McCardie and Salvatore Rubbino)
- Best for
- Getting a pet, and how to care for it
- Age
- 3-7
Search all our books by what's happening →
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.