Shh! We Have a Plan: questions to ask and activities to try
Four friends have a plan to catch a bird. Shh! The littlest one has a better idea. Shh! We Have a Plan is a gloriously funny book about kindness, listening and better ways than grabbing.
What age is Shh! We Have a Plan for?
Shh! We Have a Plan is best for ages 2–6.
Shh! We Have a Plan (Chris Haughton)
- Age
- 2-6
- Best for
- Kindness, and better ways than grabbing
Only 50pShh! We Have a Plan 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 ↓
Whisper the “shh!”s and let your child shout the “go!”s. Ask why the littlest one's idea worked when the others' didn't.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 2–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- Four friends have a plan to catch a bird. Shh! The littlest one has a better idea. Shh! We Have a Plan is a gloriously funny book about kindness, listening and better ways than grabbing.
- Helps with
- Kindness, and better ways than grabbing
- 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
- Kindness instead of grabbing
- Listening to the smallest voice
- What happens when plans go wrong
- Joining in with a repeated line
Comprehension and discussion questions for Shh! We Have a Plan
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 was the plan?”
- “What happened each time they tried?”
- “Before you turn the page: do you think it will work this time?”
- “How do you think the bird felt about the nets?”
- “What did the littlest one want to do?”
- “Why did his way work?”
- “Do you ever grab things you want?”
- “What could you do instead?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Shh! We Have a Plan
All 8 questions for Shh! We Have a Plan on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Gentle hands
Put out some bird seed or crumbs and wait quietly to see who visits, like the littlest one.
Ready one, ready two… freeze!
Tiptoe across the room together, whispering “ready one… ready two… ready three…”, then shout “GO!” and freeze in a funny pose. Take turns being the one who counts.
Better plan
Act out the story with toys, and let your child invent a kinder plan for the friends.
Shh! We Have a Plan 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.
Friendship & Kindness bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Smartest Giant in TownSuperwormThe Day the Crayons QuitOi Frog!A Splendid Friend, IndeedAaaarrgghh, Spider!Big Box Little BoxBiscuit BearBlue ChameleonBlue PenguinColin and Lee, Carrot and PeaHanda's SurpriseHappy Birthday, MaisyHello, Friend!Iris and Isaac£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Shh! We Have a Plan + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:Shh! We Have a PlanThe Smartest Giant in TownSuperworm£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Shh! We Have a Plan, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about kindness instead of grabbing.
A 20-minute session for ages 2–6 (nursery to Year 1), 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: Whisper the “shh!”s and let your child shout the “go!”s. Ask why the littlest one's idea worked when the others' didn't.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What was the plan?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Gentle hands. Put out some bird seed or crumbs and wait quietly to see who visits, like the littlest one. Children who finish early can try Ready one, ready two… freeze!.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Shh! We Have a Plan activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
More by Chris Haughton: A Bit Lost, Don't Worry, Little Crab, Goodnight Everyone, Oh No, George!
If your child liked this, try
Oh No, George! (Chris Haughton)
- Best for
- Self-control, temptation and trying to be good
- Age
- 2-6
The Highway Rat (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Taking what isn't yours, greed and learning to share
- Age
- 3-6
A Bit Lost (Chris Haughton)
- Best for
- Getting lost, and asking for help
- Age
- 2-5
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 19 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.