The Smeds and the Smoos: questions to ask and activities to try
On a faraway planet, the red Smeds and the blue Smoos are told never to mix, until Janet and Bill become friends. A rhyming space story about prejudice, acceptance and families coming together.
What age is The Smeds and the Smoos for?
The Smeds and the Smoos is best for ages 3–6.
The Smeds and the Smoos (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Getting along with people who seem different from us
Only 50pThe Smeds and the Smoos 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 ↓
Ask why the grown-ups didn’t want the Smeds and Smoos to mix. Then notice how they changed their minds by doing something together.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- On a faraway planet, the red Smeds and the blue Smoos are told never to mix, until Janet and Bill become friends. A rhyming space story about prejudice, acceptance and families coming together.
- Helps with
- Getting along with people who seem different from us
- 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
- Accepting people who seem different
- Unfair rules and prejudice
- Families coming together
- Friendship across differences
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Smeds and the Smoos
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 weren’t the Smeds and the Smoos allowed to play together?”
- “How did Janet and Bill feel about that?”
- “Why did they fly away?”
- “What changed the grown-ups’ minds?”
- “Are the Smeds and the Smoos really so different?”
- “What colour was the baby at the end, and why?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Smeds and the Smoos
All 6 questions for The Smeds and the Smoos 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
Mix the colours
Mix red and blue paint together and see what colour you make. Talk about the purple baby at the end.
Same and different
Pick someone your child knows. List one way you’re different and three ways you’re the same.
The Smeds and the Smoos 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 Smeds and the Smoos + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:The Smeds and the SmoosThe 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 Smeds and the Smoos, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about accepting people who seem different.
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: Ask why the grown-ups didn’t want the Smeds and Smoos to mix. Then notice how they changed their minds by doing something together.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why weren’t the Smeds and the Smoos allowed to play together?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Mix the colours. Mix red and blue paint together and see what colour you make. Talk about the purple baby at the end. Children who finish early can try Same and different.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Smeds and the Smoos 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
Zog (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Keeping going after mistakes, and finding what you are good at
- Age
- 3-6
Aaaarrgghh, Spider! (Lydia Monks)
- Best for
- Fitting in, and giving someone different a chance
- Age
- 3-6
Alex and Alex (Ziggy Hanaor and Ben Javens)
- Best for
- Friends who like different things, and accepting each other
- Age
- 3-6
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.