Until I Met Dudley: questions to ask and activities to try
How does a fridge work? Until I Met Dudley mixes silly imagined explanations with real ones, in a witty book from Roger McGough and Chris Riddell.
What age is it for? Until I Met Dudley is best for ages 4–8. Good for: Silly explanations, and how machines really work.
Until I Met Dudley (Roger McGough and Chris Riddell)
- Age
- 4-8
- Best for
- Silly explanations, and how machines really work
Read the silly explanation first and guess the real one before Dudley explains.
What it helps with
- How everyday machines work
- Imagination versus facts
- Curiosity
- Humour
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.
- “What did the child imagine about the toaster?”
- “Who is Dudley?”
- “How does it really work?”
- “Which silly explanation was best?”
- “Which machine shall we find out about?”
- “What would you invent?”
5-minute activities to try together
Silly or real
Pick a machine, make up a silly explanation, then find the real one.
Machine hunt
Count the machines in your kitchen.
Free printables: Until I Met Dudley 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.
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If your child liked this, try
An Engineer Like Me (Shini Somara and Nadja Sarell)
- Best for
- Curiosity, engineering and inventing things
- Age
- 5-8
Building a Home (Polly Faber and Klas Fahlén)
- Best for
- Diggers, builders and how a home gets made
- Age
- 3-6
Ada Twist, Scientist (Andrea Beaty and David Roberts)
- Best for
- Endless questions, curiosity and science
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 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.