Tabby McTat: questions to ask and activities to try
Tabby McTat the busker's cat loves singing with Fred, until one day they are parted. A Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler story about friendship, missing someone and finding them again.
What age is Tabby McTat for?
Tabby McTat is best for ages 3–6.
Tabby McTat (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Missing someone you love, and finding them again
Only 50pTabby McTat 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 ↓
Read Tabby’s "mew" and Fred’s songs aloud. Talk about a time your child missed someone, and what helped while they were apart.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- Tabby McTat the busker's cat loves singing with Fred, until one day they are parted. A Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler story about friendship, missing someone and finding them again.
- Helps with
- Missing someone you love, and finding them again
- 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
- Missing someone
- Friendship and loyalty
- New families
- Coping with change
Comprehension and discussion questions for Tabby McTat
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 Tabby McTat and Fred do together?”
- “How did they get separated?”
- “How do you think Tabby felt when he couldn’t find Fred?”
- “What new friends did Tabby make?”
- “How did they find each other again?”
- “Who do you miss when they’re away? What helps?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Tabby McTat
All 6 questions for Tabby McTat 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
Busker’s song
Make up a short song together, like Fred and Tabby, and perform it with pots, pans or a toy instrument.
Missing you box
Draw a picture or write a note for someone your child misses, and decide together how to send it.
Tabby McTat 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.
Friendship & Kindness bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Smartest Giant in TownSuperwormThe Day the Crayons QuitOi Frog!A Splendid Friend, IndeedAaaarrgghh, Spider!Big Box Little BoxBiscuit BearBlue ChameleonBlue PenguinColin and Lee, Carrot and PeaHanda's SurpriseHappy Birthday, MaisyHello, Friend!Iris and Isaac£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Tabby McTat + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:Tabby McTatThe Smartest Giant in TownSuperworm£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Tabby McTat, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about missing someone.
A 20-minute session for ages 3–6 (nursery to Year 1), 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: Read Tabby’s "mew" and Fred’s songs aloud. Talk about a time your child missed someone, and what helped while they were apart.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did Tabby McTat and Fred do together?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Busker’s song. Make up a short song together, like Fred and Tabby, and perform it with pots, pans or a toy instrument. Children who finish early can try Missing you box.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Tabby McTat 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
Stick Man (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Missing home or family, and being away from people you love
- Age
- 3-6
Lost and Found (Oliver Jeffers)
- Best for
- Loneliness, and the friendships we don't expect
- Age
- 3-7
Owl Babies (Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson)
- Best for
- Missing a parent, and trusting they'll come back
- Age
- 2-5
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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.