The Day You Begin: questions to ask and activities to try
There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. A beautiful, reassuring book about feeling different and finding the courage to share your story.
What age is The Day You Begin for?
The Day You Begin is best for ages 5–8.
The Day You Begin (Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López)
- Age
- 5-8
- Best for
- Feeling different, and finding the courage to share your story
Only 50pThe Day You Begin 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 it slowly and look at the pictures. Talk about a time your child felt like the only one, and what helped them feel they belonged.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. A beautiful, reassuring book about feeling different and finding the courage to share your story.
- Helps with
- Feeling different, and finding the courage to share your story
- 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
- Feeling different or left out
- Starting somewhere new
- Sharing your own story
- Noticing how others might feel
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Day You Begin
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.
- “Why did the children feel different from everyone else?”
- “What happened when Angelina shared her story?”
- “Have you ever felt like the only one in a room?”
- “What helped you feel like you belonged?”
- “What’s one thing about you that others might not know?”
- “How could you help someone new feel welcome?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Day You Begin
All 6 questions for The Day You Begin 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
My story card
Make a card about your child: their favourite food, a place they love and something they’re good at. Share it with someone.
Welcome plan
Think of someone new at school or nursery. Plan one kind thing to say or do to make them feel welcome.
The Day You Begin 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 £1.25The Day You Begin + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:The Day You BeginThe Smartest Giant in TownSuperworm£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 The Day You Begin, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about feeling different or left out.
A 20-minute session for ages 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3), 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 it slowly and look at the pictures. Talk about a time your child felt like the only one, and what helped them feel they belonged.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why did the children feel different from everyone else?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do My story card. Make a card about your child: their favourite food, a place they love and something they’re good at. Share it with someone. Children who finish early can try Welcome plan.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Day You Begin 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 Adventures of Harry Stevenson (Ali Pye)
- Best for
- A small guinea pig with big adventures
- Age
- 5-8
A Bear Called Paddington (Michael Bond and Peggy Fortnum)
- Best for
- Kindness to newcomers, and the first Paddington stories
- Age
- 5-8
The Climbers (Ali Standish and Alette Straathof)
- Best for
- Friendship with someone others fear
- Age
- 5-8
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.