Whatever Next!: questions to ask and activities to try
Baby Bear turns a cardboard box into a rocket and flies off to the moon for a picnic, before bath time. A cosy classic about imaginative play.
What age is Whatever Next! for?
Whatever Next! is best for ages 2–5.
Whatever Next! (Jill Murphy)
- Age
- 2-5
- Best for
- Imaginative play, and a cosy bedtime adventure
Only 50pWhatever Next! 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 ↓
Look at what Baby Bear uses for his rocket, helmet and boots. Ask what your child would take, and whether the trip really happened.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 2–5 (nursery to Reception)
- What they'll enjoy
- Baby Bear turns a cardboard box into a rocket and flies off to the moon for a picnic, before bath time. A cosy classic about imaginative play.
- Helps with
- Imaginative play, and a cosy bedtime adventure
- 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
- Imaginative play
- Making things from what you have
- Bedtime routines
- Telling real from pretend
Comprehension and discussion questions for Whatever Next!
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 Baby Bear use to make his rocket?”
- “Who did he meet on the way?”
- “What did he take for a picnic?”
- “Do you think he really went to the moon?”
- “Why did Mrs Bear say ’Whatever next!’?”
- “Where would you go in a cardboard box?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Whatever Next!
All 6 questions for Whatever Next! 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
Box rocket
Turn a cardboard box into a rocket together. What will you wear for a helmet?
Moon picnic
Pack a small picnic and have it somewhere new in the house, like Baby Bear on the moon.
Whatever Next! 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.
Communication bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:I Talk Like a RiverAll Join InThe Animal BoogieBilly's BucketBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?Counting with Tiny CatDear ZooDig Dig DiggingDinosaur Dig!Dinosaur Roar!DogsDown by the StationDown the Back of the ChairDriving My TractorEach Peach Pear Plum£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Whatever Next! + I Talk Like a River + All Join InThe 3 books:Whatever Next!I 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 Whatever Next!, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about imaginative play.
A 20-minute session for ages 2–5 (nursery to Reception), 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: Look at what Baby Bear uses for his rocket, helmet and boots. Ask what your child would take, and whether the trip really happened.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did Baby Bear use to make his rocket?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Box rocket. Turn a cardboard box into a rocket together. What will you wear for a helmet? Children who finish early can try Moon picnic.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Whatever Next! 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
Peace at Last (Jill Murphy)
- Best for
- Bedtime, and staying patient when things keep going wrong
- Age
- 2-5
The Animal Boogie (Debbie Harter)
- Best for
- Moving, dancing and joining in with a song
- Age
- 2-5
Dinosaur Dig! (Penny Dale)
- Best for
- Dinosaurs, diggers and counting
- Age
- 2-5
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.