Questions before you read the book

Before you open the book there are questions you can ask, these are just a few examples.

Look at the cover

• What do you think this story will be about? 

• Who do you think the people are?

• Can you predict what you think will happen?

For each of these questions you can ask 'What makes you think that?'

It's never too early to start using book vocabulary: front cover, back cover, title, author, blurb, publisher, bar code.  Get your child to point to the different parts on the book.

Questions whilst you read the book

You don't need to read the whole book before you ask a question, ask them throughout the book. 

• What do you think is happening here? Is it what you expected to happen?

• What do you think will happen next? How might the story end?

• How do you think the character is feeling? What makes you think that?

• What can you tell me about the story so far?

• Tell me what  you can see happening in the picture?

Questions after you read the book

Once the book is finished you don't have to close it, go back and look at pictures, then ask questions.

• Did you like the book? Why/why not?

• What was your favourite part? Why? Show me the page?

• Can you retell the story using the pictures?

• What is the most important part of the story?

• What did you learn from reading the book?

• What do you think about the characters?

• Did the story end how you predicted?

• Do you think your first day will be like this?

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