The Mouse and the Motorcycle: questions to ask and activities to try
Ralph the mouse lives in a hotel, and when a boy called Keith arrives with a toy motorcycle, Ralph's life changes. A classic chapter book about friendship and responsibility.
What age is The Mouse and the Motorcycle for?
The Mouse and the Motorcycle is best for ages 7–9.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Beverly Cleary and Jacqueline Rogers)
- Age
- 7-9
- Best for
- A classic chapter book about friendship and responsibility
Only 50pThe Mouse and the Motorcycle 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 a chapter a night. Talk about what Ralph learned about responsibility, and what makes Keith and Ralph good friends.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 7–9 (Year 3 to Year 4)
- What they'll enjoy
- Ralph the mouse lives in a hotel, and when a boy called Keith arrives with a toy motorcycle, Ralph's life changes. A classic chapter book about friendship and responsibility.
- Helps with
- A classic chapter book about friendship and responsibility
- 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
- Friendship
- Responsibility
- Listening to longer stories
- Keeping promises
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Mouse and the Motorcycle
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.
- “Where did Ralph live?”
- “How did Ralph and Keith become friends?”
- “What happened when Ralph borrowed the motorcycle?”
- “How did Ralph show he was responsible?”
- “What makes someone a good friend?”
- “What would you do if you broke something you borrowed?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Mouse and the Motorcycle
All 6 questions for The Mouse and the Motorcycle 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
Mouse-sized world
Look around a room from a mouse’s height. Draw what a mouse would see and where it might hide.
Promise card
Talk about a promise your child could make and keep this week, and draw it on a card.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle 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 Mouse and the Motorcycle + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:The Mouse and the MotorcycleThe 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 The Mouse and the Motorcycle, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about friendship.
A 20-minute session for ages 7–9 (Year 3 to Year 4), 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 a chapter a night. Talk about what Ralph learned about responsibility, and what makes Keith and Ralph good friends.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Where did Ralph live?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Mouse-sized world. Look around a room from a mouse’s height. Draw what a mouse would see and where it might hide. Children who finish early can try Promise card.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Mouse and the Motorcycle 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
Frog and Toad Are Friends (Arnold Lobel)
- Best for
- What it means to be a good friend, in five short stories
- Age
- 5-8
Mercy Watson to the Rescue (Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen)
- Best for
- A funny first chapter book, and seeing things from different points of view
- 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
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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.