The Jolly Christmas Postman: questions to ask and activities to try
It's Christmas Eve, and the Jolly Postman delivers cards and letters to fairy-tale friends. Every envelope opens, with real cards, games and surprises inside.
What age is The Jolly Christmas Postman for?
The Jolly Christmas Postman is best for ages 3–7.
The Jolly Christmas Postman (Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- Christmas letters, cards and fairy tales
Only 50pThe Jolly Christmas Postman 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 ↓
Take your time opening each envelope together. Guess who each letter is for before you open it, and talk about which fairy tale it comes from.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–7 (nursery to Year 2)
- What they'll enjoy
- It's Christmas Eve, and the Jolly Postman delivers cards and letters to fairy-tale friends. Every envelope opens, with real cards, games and surprises inside.
- Helps with
- Christmas letters, cards and fairy tales
- 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
- Reading and writing letters
- Fairy tales
- Christmas
- Sharing a book slowly
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Jolly Christmas Postman
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.
- “Who did the Jolly Postman deliver letters to?”
- “Which envelope was your favourite to open?”
- “Which fairy tales did you recognise?”
- “Who would you send a Christmas card to?”
- “What would you write in a letter to Father Christmas?”
- “Why do people send cards at Christmas?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Jolly Christmas Postman
All 6 questions for The Jolly Christmas Postman 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
Christmas post
Make a Christmas card for someone, write or draw a message, and post it together.
Fairy-tale letter
Write a short letter from one fairy-tale character to another, like Goldilocks saying sorry to the Three Bears.
The Jolly Christmas Postman 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.
Christmas bundleChristmas activity pack + 5 activity sheets, this one includedThe 5 books:The Jolly Christmas PostmanStick ManHow the Grinch Stole Christmas!One Christmas EveSquirrel's Snowman£6.99🛒 Shop · £1.25
3 sheets for £1.25The Jolly Christmas Postman + I Talk Like a River + All Join InThe 3 books:The Jolly Christmas PostmanI Talk Like a RiverAll Join In£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 Jolly Christmas Postman, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about reading and writing letters.
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: Take your time opening each envelope together. Guess who each letter is for before you open it, and talk about which fairy tale it comes from.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Who did the Jolly Postman deliver letters to?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Christmas post. Make a Christmas card for someone, write or draw a message, and post it together. Children who finish early can try Fairy-tale letter.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Jolly Christmas Postman 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 Jolly Postman (Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg)
- Best for
- Letters and writing, and spotting fairy-tale characters
- Age
- 3-7
Each Peach Pear Plum (Janet and Allan Ahlberg)
- Best for
- Playing I spy, rhyme and favourite nursery characters
- Age
- 0-5
Whatever Next! (Jill Murphy)
- Best for
- Imaginative play, and a cosy bedtime adventure
- Age
- 2-5
Search all our books by what's happening →
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.
🎄 More for December: Christmas and winter picture books with activities