For parents, educators and curious readers of all ages
The activity cupboard
Lesson plans, worksheets and read-aloud videos for nearly every book, free to print and share.
Lesson plans, book by book
As a facilitator of book clubs and writing programmes, I know that learning resources are precious! I love discovering printable resources online, and I create worksheets for nearly every book I write. For some, I’ve also made short videos that could help you if you’re using my books in class too!
I’ve arranged the resources in reverse order of target age-group.
These worksheets are freely reproducible.
Ages 11–14
Deep Dive into Poetry
Fishbowl is a middle-grade novel in verse, which touches upon themes of mental health, friendship and family.
A verse novel is a great way to explore poetry. Introduce concrete poetry and free verse using the book, accompanied by the worksheets below.
Ages 10–13
Jungle Mania
First runner-up: Scholastic Asian Book Award 2018
When Veer runs away from boarding school to the forest of Suryanagar, he doesn’t know what to expect, but he’s determined to fit in. With him, let’s explore the wonders of the jungles of central India, working on paying attention to all five senses. Use the mentor text in the worksheet below for a creative writing exercise. Also, work on predicting what happens next in the story, developing plot and technique.
Ages 10–13
Fantastic Escapades
Uncontrollable, a sparsely written fantasy in verse, is the story of 12-year-old Rohini, who must uncover one secret after another to fight a government of evil and save her mother.
Using two excerpts from Uncontrollable as mentor texts, learn to write a pair of poems in free verse, exploring an emotion, or perhaps even something fantastical.
Ages 10–13
A Dream Come True
Just how crazy can New Dawn, the strange school with weird subjects be? As you explore this loony school, you discover that New Dawn might just be the best school of all.
This forms the basis of a fun writing exercise on list poetry. For Kannagi and Padma, New Dawn High School is a dream come true! What, for you, would be a dream come true?
Ages 9–12
Words and Worlds
You’ve discovered a land behind a waterfall. What’s the first problem you’ll face? You’re hungry and afraid, and you can’t speak the language of this new land!
Using The Prophecy of Rasphora as the mentor text, get creative as you solve a cryptogram and even make up a new language!
Ages 9–12
Letter Writing
Even after all these years, the letter-writing activity I do based on the story “The Dictionary” in this collection of short stories remains one of my most successful activities! To help you with it, here’s a video recording of the story and a soft copy of the letters so that you can make your reading more dramatic.
Ages 8–11
Do Something Re-vuh-looshinary!
Shortlisted for the AG-BLF Book Prize for Children’s Fiction 2023.
Can you challenge yourself to do something revolutionary? Explore voting and word games, and create an election campaign along with Dhara, Carol and the students of Sarvaloka Public School.
Ages 8–11
Dragonflies, Jigsaws and Seashells
Creative Writing
Shortlisted for the Scholastic Asian Book Award 2016
Shortlisted for the Singapore Book Award 2019
Rural, urban, fantastical – our worlds are full of stories. With this collection of short stories, there are dozens of activities you can do! In the worksheet below, find the scaffolding for a creative writing exercise and a rhyming poem.
Ages 7–9
Nami and Jhalak: Stinkypur Guardians
Save the World!
Jhalak and Nami love watching birds at Nala Park. But the canal in the park stinks! Join them as they try to save the park. Draw pictures and write poetry and postcards to save the world!
Ages 7–9
Baking Adventure!
Put on your chef hat and cook up a recipe for a best friend! Join Geet and Rima on a food adventure as you come up with wacky, innovative, prize-winning ideas.
Ages 7–9
Puzzles and Tongue Twisters
Shortlisted for the Neev Book Award 2021 in the Emerging Readers category.
It’s about time for puns about time! Race against the clock to solve Clockwala Uncle’s puzzles and riddles. Play with tongue twisters, and unscramble words. Above all, have fun!
Ages 7–9
Creative Thinking
Can Holi be Holi without water? What can eight-year-olds do to make their festival as special as before? The Best Idea of All encourages children to come up with unique ideas, ideas that could change the world. While exploring festivals and the climate crisis, here’s a worksheet to get children thinking.
Ages 5–8
Exploring Emotions
This book is on the Parag Honour Books List 2022.
How do you feel when Nani comes to visit? How do you feel when you spoil a library book? Explore emotions as you read this rhyming picture book.
Play a little
Word games and puzzles
Made for book-club readers, free for everyone.