Zim Zam Zoom!: questions to ask and activities to try
Rockets, dragons, monsters and a higgledy-piggledy farm. Zim Zam Zoom! is a collection of zappy poems written to be read out loud and performed.
What age is it for? Zim Zam Zoom! is best for ages 3–7. Good for: Poems to read out loud and act out.
Zim Zam Zoom! (James Carter and Nicola Colton)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- Poems to read out loud and act out
Pick one poem a day and perform it with actions and voices. Let your child choose the next one.
What it helps with
- Reading poems aloud
- Rhythm and sound play
- Confidence performing
- Imagination
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.
- “Which poem did you like best?”
- “Which was the funniest?”
- “Can you make the sounds?”
- “What actions can we add?”
- “What would you write a poem about?”
- “Who could we perform to?”
5-minute activities to try together
Poem of the day
Choose a poem each day this week and perform it at dinner.
Make a monster
Use the monster poem to invent and draw your own monster.
Free printables: Zim Zam Zoom! 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
SSSSNAP! Mister Shark (Neal Zetter and Chris White)
- Best for
- Joining in with a poem out loud
- Age
- 3-7
Once Upon a Star (James Carter and Mar Hernández)
- Best for
- Big questions about the sun, stars and how we got here
- Age
- 4-8
Here's a Little Poem (Jane Yolen, Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Dunbar)
- Best for
- A first book of poems about everyday life
- Age
- 1-5
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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.