Silly Billy: questions to ask and activities to try
Billy worries about everything, especially at bedtime. Silly Billy shows children that worries are easier to carry when you share them.
What age is it for? Silly Billy is best for ages 3–7. Good for: Children who lie awake worrying at night.
Silly Billy (Anthony Browne)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- Children who lie awake worrying at night
Read it in the daytime first, then at bedtime once your child knows it. Pause at the worry dolls and talk about who your child could share a worry with.
What it helps with
- Lying awake worrying at night
- Worries that seem silly to others
- Sharing worries with someone you trust
- A bedtime routine for letting worries go
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.
- “What was Billy worried about?”
- “Who did Billy talk to about his worries?”
- “What did Grandma give him?”
- “Why did Billy make dolls for his worry dolls?”
- “What do you sometimes worry about at night?”
- “Who could you tell a worry to?”
5-minute activities to try together
Worry dolls
Make tiny worry dolls from wooden pegs or paper. At bedtime, your child tells each doll one worry and puts it under the pillow.
Worry jar
Write or draw worries on scraps of paper and pop them in a jar. Look at them together at the weekend: which ones came true?
Free printables: Silly Billy 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.
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If your child liked this, try
Ruby’s Worry (Tom Percival)
- Best for
- A child whose worry grows while they keep it to themselves
- Age
- 4-7
The Huge Bag of Worries (Virginia Ironside)
- Best for
- Talking about worries
- Age
- 5-8
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd)
- Best for
- Winding down at bedtime, and settling to sleep
- Age
- 0-4
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 6 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.