Sweep: questions to ask and activities to try
Ed's bad mood starts small, then sweeps up everything around it. Sweep is a Greenaway-nominated story about how bad moods grow, and how they pass.
What age is it for? Sweep is best for ages 3–7. Good for: A bad mood that grows and grows.
Read it and talk about how a small bad feeling can grow. Ask what helps your child's bad moods get smaller.
What it helps with
- Bad moods and how they grow
- Noticing feelings early
- Letting feelings pass
- Self-awareness
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.
- “How did Ed’s mood start?”
- “What made it grow?”
- “What did it sweep up?”
- “How did it stop?”
- “What makes your mood grow?”
- “What helps it shrink?”
5-minute activities to try together
Mood broom
Pretend to sweep a bad mood out of the door together.
Mood size
Show with your hands how big a feeling is right now.
Free printables: Sweep 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
Howl (Kat Patrick and Evie Barrow)
- Best for
- Having a terrible day and needing to let it out
- Age
- 3-7
I Really Want to Shout! (Simon Philip and Lucia Gaggiotti)
- Best for
- Feeling cross and wanting to yell
- Age
- 3-7
When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry… (Molly Bang)
- Best for
- Explosive anger, and calming down afterwards
- Age
- 3-7
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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.