Spinderella: questions to ask and activities to try
Spinderella is a little spider who wants to learn to count, but her big family can't help. With a little magic from her Fairy Godmother, she gets her chance at a football match. A funny counting story from Julia Donaldson.
What age is Spinderella for?
Spinderella is best for ages 3–7.
Spinderella (Julia Donaldson and Sebastien Braun)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- Counting, and wanting to learn
Only 50pSpinderella 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 ↓
Count along with Spinderella as you read, and point to the numbers in the pictures. Talk about something your child would love to learn.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–7 (nursery to Year 2)
- What they'll enjoy
- Spinderella is a little spider who wants to learn to count, but her big family can't help. With a little magic from her Fairy Godmother, she gets her chance at a football match. A funny counting story from Julia Donaldson.
- Helps with
- Counting, and wanting to learn
- 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
- Counting and numbers
- Wanting to learn
- Asking for help
- Football and games
Comprehension and discussion questions for Spinderella
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 Spinderella want to learn?”
- “Why couldn’t her family help her?”
- “Who helped Spinderella?”
- “Where did she practise counting?”
- “What would you like to learn to do?”
- “How many legs does a spider have? Can you count them?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Spinderella
All 6 questions for Spinderella 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
Spider counting
Draw a spider and count its 8 legs together. Then count the legs on other creatures: a bird, a dog, a beetle.
Goal tally
Play a game of throwing socks into a basket and keep score with tally marks, like the football match.
Spinderella 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 Spinderella, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about counting and numbers.
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: Count along with Spinderella as you read, and point to the numbers in the pictures. Talk about something your child would love to learn.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did Spinderella want to learn?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Spider counting. Draw a spider and count its 8 legs together. Then count the legs on other creatures: a bird, a dog, a beetle. Children who finish early can try Goal tally.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Spinderella 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 Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Growing and changing, and waiting for something good
- Age
- 2-5
The Smeds and the Smoos (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Getting along with people who seem different from us
- Age
- 3-6
Superworm (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Friends helping each other when someone is in trouble
- 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.