The Gruffalo: questions to ask and activities to try
A small mouse, some hungry animals and a monster he thinks he made up. The Gruffalo is a gentle way to talk about feeling scared, and about staying calm enough to think.
What age is it for? The Gruffalo is best for ages 3–6. Good for: Feeling scared, and using your wits.
The Gruffalo (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Feeling scared, and using your wits
Read it once just for fun. Next time, pause when the mouse meets each animal and ask how he might be feeling, then what he decides to do. The point isn't that the mouse wasn't scared: it's that he thought of a plan while he was.
Why I like this one
I like The Gruffalo for the moment when the mouse realises he has to think rather than run. Most children know the story by heart, which is exactly why it works: they can relax and notice what the mouse is doing, not just what happens next.
I'd pause at the point where the real Gruffalo appears and ask, “What could the mouse do now?” before turning the page. There's no single right answer, and a child who suggests running away isn't wrong. The point is that there's more than one option.
Apoorva, Growing Wise
What it helps with
- Talking about feeling scared, without making fear something to be ashamed of
- Practising “stop and think” when something feels big
- Noticing the difference between pretend and real
- Problem solving: there is more than one way out of a tricky spot
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 do you think the mouse felt when the fox invited him home?”
- “Why did the mouse make up the Gruffalo?”
- “What did the mouse do when he met a real Gruffalo?”
- “Was the mouse brave, clever, or both?”
- “What is something that feels a bit scary to you? What could help?”
- “The other animals thought the mouse was scary. Are things always what they look like?”
5-minute activities to try together
Make a plan like the mouse
Pick one small worry together, like the dark or a new class. Think of three things your child could try, then choose one to try first. There's no wrong answer.
Act it out
Take turns being the mouse. The other person plays the fox, owl or snake, and the mouse decides what to say. Swap so your child gets to be the animal too.
Free printables: The Gruffalo 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.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
The Huge Bag of Worries (Virginia Ironside)
- Best for
- Talking about worries
- Age
- 5-8
Ruby’s Worry (Tom Percival)
- Best for
- A child whose worry grows while they keep it to themselves
- Age
- 4-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 1 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.