Until I Met Dudley: questions to ask and activities to try
How does a fridge work? Until I Met Dudley mixes silly imagined explanations with real ones, in a witty book from Roger McGough and Chris Riddell.
What age is Until I Met Dudley for?
Until I Met Dudley is best for ages 4–8.
Until I Met Dudley (Roger McGough and Chris Riddell)
- Age
- 4-8
- Best for
- Silly explanations, and how machines really work
Until I Met Dudley activity sheet
3 printable pages to talk about silly explanations and how machines really work.
- 3-page PDF
- Print at home or school
- Instant download
Pages shown are from the real sheet · Use it with the book (sold separately) · 20 minutes together
Reading more books like this? Build your own bundle of activity sheets, from £2.00 →
Read the silly explanation first and guess the real one before Dudley explains.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–8 (Reception to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- How does a fridge work? Until I Met Dudley mixes silly imagined explanations with real ones, in a witty book from Roger McGough and Chris Riddell.
- Helps with
- Silly explanations, and how machines really work
- 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
- How everyday machines work
- Imagination versus facts
- Curiosity
- Humour
Comprehension and discussion questions for Until I Met Dudley
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 did the child imagine about the toaster?”
- “Who is Dudley?”
- “How does it really work?”
- “Which silly explanation was best?”
- “Which machine shall we find out about?”
- “What would you invent?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Until I Met Dudley
All 6 questions for Until I Met Dudley on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
5-minute activities to try together
Silly or real
Pick a machine, make up a silly explanation, then find the real one.
Machine hunt
Count the machines in your kitchen.
Until I Met Dudley 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.
Nature & the World bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:Because of an AcornBeware of the CrocodileChristopher NibbleDot.Errol's GardenHot HippoHungry HenKatie's Picture ShowOnce Upon a JungleOnce Upon a StarOur Very Own DogRainSurprising SharksThe Bog BabyThe Boy Who Lost His Bumble£4.99 3 sheets for £2.50Until I Met Dudley + Because of an Acorn + Beware of the CrocodileThe 3 books:Until I Met DudleyBecause of an AcornBeware of the Crocodile£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 Until I Met Dudley, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about how everyday machines work.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–8 (Reception 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: Read the silly explanation first and guess the real one before Dudley explains.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did the child imagine about the toaster?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Silly or real. Pick a machine, make up a silly explanation, then find the real one. Children who finish early can try Machine hunt.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Until I Met Dudley 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
An Engineer Like Me (Shini Somara and Nadja Sarell)
- Best for
- Curiosity, engineering and inventing things
- Age
- 5-8
Building a Home (Polly Faber and Klas Fahlén)
- Best for
- Diggers, builders and how a home gets made
- Age
- 3-6
Ada Twist, Scientist (Andrea Beaty and David Roberts)
- Best for
- Endless questions, curiosity and science
- Age
- 4-8
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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.