The Barnabus Project: questions to ask and activities to try
Barnabus is half mouse, half elephant, a Failed Project hidden away. The Barnabus Project is a stunning picture book about misfits, imperfection and freedom.
What age is The Barnabus Project for?
The Barnabus Project is best for ages 5–8.
The Barnabus Project (The Fan Brothers)
- Age
- 5-8
- Best for
- Being a misfit, and dreaming of freedom
Only £1.00The Barnabus Project 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 ↓
Pore over the detailed pictures. Talk about why Barnabus was called a failure, and whether that was fair.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- Barnabus is half mouse, half elephant, a Failed Project hidden away. The Barnabus Project is a stunning picture book about misfits, imperfection and freedom.
- Helps with
- Being a misfit, and dreaming of freedom
- 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
- Feeling imperfect
- Friendship among misfits
- Freedom and courage
- Teamwork
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Barnabus Project
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.
- “Who is Barnabus?”
- “Why was he hidden away?”
- “What did he dream of?”
- “How did his friends help?”
- “Was he a failure?”
- “What makes something perfect?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Barnabus Project
All 6 questions for The Barnabus Project 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
Mix-up animal
Invent and draw a half-and-half animal and give it a name.
Misfit strengths
List what's great about each misfit in the book.
The Barnabus Project 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.
Confidence & Not Giving Up bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Lion InsideGiraffes Can’t DancePerfectly NormanThe Snail and the WhaleSugarlump and the UnicornThe Ugly FiveThe DotElmerThe Tiny SeedSupertatoA Brave BearAlfie Gets in FirstAstro GirlAvocado BabyBlackbird, Blackbird, What Do You Do?£4.99 3 sheets for £2.50The Barnabus Project + The Lion Inside + Giraffes Can’t DanceThe 3 books:The Barnabus ProjectThe Lion InsideGiraffes Can’t Dance£2.50 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.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to The Barnabus Project, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about feeling imperfect.
A 20-minute session for ages 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3), 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: Pore over the detailed pictures. Talk about why Barnabus was called a failure, and whether that was fair.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Who is Barnabus?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Mix-up animal. Invent and draw a half-and-half animal and give it a name. Children who finish early can try Misfit strengths.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Barnabus Project 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
The Midnight Panther (Poonam Mistry)
- Best for
- Feeling different, and finding your place
- Age
- 4-8
Elmer (David McKee)
- Best for
- Children who feel different or want to fit in
- Age
- 2-6
Something Else (Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell)
- Best for
- Being left out, and then leaving someone else out
- Age
- 3-6
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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.