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Conversation Starters

Before, during and after questions for every Poppy book, plus tips for talking about stories with young children.

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Sparkle TreePRESS
Conversation Starters
For parents, carers & teachers

Conversation Starters

Questions to ask before, during and after each Poppy book, to help children think about the characters and connect the story to their own lives.

Tips for good book talk

  • Ask open questions ("How do you think…?", "What would you…?") rather than yes/no questions.
  • Wait. Count to five in your head before helping. Thinking takes time.
  • Share your own answer too. It shows there's more than one right answer.
  • Point to the pictures. Faces and colours are great clues to how characters feel.
  • Two or three questions is plenty. Stop while it's still fun.

Enchanted Adventures of Poppy

BeforeLook at the cover. What do you think Poppy is wishing for?
DuringHow do you think Poppy felt when she saw the comets? Why did the baby star stop crying near the top?
AfterPoppy said she wasn’t the fastest flyer, but she knew the way. Is it OK not to be the fastest? What would you have done if you found the baby star?

Glowberry and the Moon Seed

BeforeWhat do you think a moon seed might grow into?
DuringThe older animals laughed. How might Glowberry feel? Nothing happened for seven nights. Should she give up?
AfterWhat did Glowberry do that helped the seed grow? Tell me about a time you kept trying.
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Sparkle TreePRESS
Conversation Starters

The Sparkle Tree and the First Star

BeforeWhy do you think the tree is called the Sparkle Tree?
DuringThe owl said to keep the light. What would you do?
AfterHow did the tree get its sparkle in the end? Is it easy or hard to give something special away? Why?

The Rainbow Bridge

BeforeA river is too wide to swim and too loud to shout across. How could you talk to someone on the other side?
DuringWhat do you think the orange stripe meant? Why did they need more planks?
AfterWhat colours are in a rainbow, in order? How do you make friends with someone new?

The Brave Little Pixel

BeforeWhat is a pixel? (A tiny square of light that makes up a picture on a screen.)
DuringThe other pixels said "that’s not our part". Were they right? How did Pip feel sitting in the corner?
AfterWhat did the picture show from far away? Nobody knew it was Pip. Does that matter?

Poppy the Dragon Who Sneezed Glitter

BeforeWhat do you think happens when a dragon sneezes?
DuringHow would you feel if you sneezed glitter everywhere?
AfterWhat would you do if you could sneeze glitter? What is something that makes you, you?

For the youngest readers (board books, ages 0–3)

  • Colours of the Rainbow: "Where's the red? Can you touch something red?" Name each colour as you point.
  • Count to 10: Count aloud together, touching each thing on the page. "How many? Let's count!"
  • Count along with Poppy: "What's Poppy counting? Can we count yours?" Then talk about what you do at bedtime.

At this age, naming, pointing and copying sounds is the conversation. Your voice matters more than the questions.

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