Sidewalk Flowers: questions to ask and activities to try
A little girl walking home with her busy dad gathers wildflowers from the pavement and gives them away. A wordless picture book about noticing small things and quiet kindness.
What age is Sidewalk Flowers for?
Sidewalk Flowers is best for ages 3–7.
Sidewalk Flowers (JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- Noticing small things, and quiet acts of kindness
Only 50pSidewalk Flowers 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 ↓
There are no words, so let your child tell the story. Point out the colour in the pictures and ask who each flower goes to, and why.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–7 (nursery to Year 2)
- What they'll enjoy
- A little girl walking home with her busy dad gathers wildflowers from the pavement and gives them away. A wordless picture book about noticing small things and quiet kindness.
- Helps with
- Noticing small things, and quiet acts of kindness
- 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
- Noticing small things
- Quiet kindness
- Telling a story from pictures
- Slowing down
Comprehension and discussion questions for Sidewalk Flowers
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 the girl notice on her walk?”
- “Was her dad noticing the same things?”
- “Who did she give her flowers to?”
- “Why do you think she gave them away?”
- “What small thing did you notice today?”
- “Who could you give a small surprise to?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Sidewalk Flowers
All 6 questions for Sidewalk Flowers 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
Flower walk
Go for a slow walk and look for tiny flowers growing in cracks. Count how many different colours you find.
Tell it yourself
Go through the book again and let your child tell the story in their own words while you listen.
Sidewalk Flowers 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.
Nature & the World bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:Because of an AcornBeware of the CrocodileChristopher NibbleDot.Errol's GardenHot HippoHungry HenKatie's Picture ShowOnce Upon a JungleOnce Upon a StarOur Very Own DogRainSurprising SharksThe Bog BabyThe Boy Who Lost His Bumble£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Sidewalk Flowers + Because of an Acorn + Beware of the CrocodileThe 3 books:Sidewalk FlowersBecause of an AcornBeware of the Crocodile£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
Priced low on purpose. Every purchase helps keep the book guides, questions and the game free for everyone.
No PayPal account needed. Your download starts straight away. By buying, you agree to this and give up the 14-day right to cancel. Faulty or missing files are always replaced or refunded. Refunds
Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Sidewalk Flowers, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about noticing small things.
A 20-minute session for ages 3–7 (nursery 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: There are no words, so let your child tell the story. Point out the colour in the pictures and ask who each flower goes to, and why.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did the girl notice on her walk?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Flower walk. Go for a slow walk and look for tiny flowers growing in cracks. Count how many different colours you find. Children who finish early can try Tell it yourself.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Sidewalk Flowers 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
Bee and Me (Alison Jay)
- Best for
- Overcoming fear of bees, and why bees matter
- Age
- 3-7
The Bog Baby (Jeanne Willis and Gwen Millward)
- Best for
- Caring for wild creatures, and letting them go
- Age
- 3-7
Search all our books by what's happening →
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.