The Leaf Thief: questions to ask and activities to try
Squirrel loves his beautiful red leaves, so when one goes missing he is sure someone has stolen it. Bird has a calmer idea. A laugh-out-loud story about worry and the changing seasons.
What age is The Leaf Thief for?
The Leaf Thief is best for ages 3–6.
The Leaf Thief (Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Panicking about change, and autumn
Only 50pThe Leaf Thief 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 Squirrel’s panic in a big, flustered voice and Bird’s answers calmly. Then talk about what helps when something changes and we feel worried.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- Squirrel loves his beautiful red leaves, so when one goes missing he is sure someone has stolen it. Bird has a calmer idea. A laugh-out-loud story about worry and the changing seasons.
- Helps with
- Panicking about change, and autumn
- 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
- Worry and panic
- Changes we can’t control
- Autumn and the seasons
- Friends who calm us down
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Leaf Thief
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 was Squirrel so upset?”
- “Who did Squirrel think was taking his leaves?”
- “How did Bird help Squirrel calm down?”
- “What really happens to leaves in autumn?”
- “What do you do when you feel worried?”
- “Who helps you calm down when you’re upset?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Leaf Thief
All 6 questions for The Leaf Thief 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
Leaf hunt
Collect leaves of different colours on a walk. Sort them from green to red to brown and talk about how they change.
Squirrel or Bird?
Take turns acting out a small worry: one of you panics like Squirrel, the other answers calmly like Bird.
The Leaf Thief 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.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to The Leaf Thief, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about worry and panic.
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 Squirrel’s panic in a big, flustered voice and Bird’s answers calmly. Then talk about what helps when something changes and we feel worried.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why was Squirrel so upset?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Leaf hunt. Collect leaves of different colours on a walk. Sort them from green to red to brown and talk about how they change. Children who finish early can try Squirrel or Bird?.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Leaf Thief 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
Because of an Acorn (Lola M. Schaefer, Adam Schaefer and Frann Preston-Gannon)
- Best for
- How everything in nature is connected
- Age
- 3-7
Ruby’s Worry (Tom Percival)
- Best for
- A child whose worry grows while they keep it to themselves
- Age
- 4-7
The Huge Bag of Worries (Virginia Ironside)
- Best for
- Talking about worries
- Age
- 5-8
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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.