Resources to support ‘That’s when I’m Happy’ by Beth Shoshan and illustrated by Jaqueline East.

Book can be bought from Amazon using this link. Click through to third party sellers for best deals especially if you have Prime.

‘That’s when I’m Happy’

www.elsa-support.co.uk for lots more ideas for emotional literacy

Questions on the book

Front cover

What can you see on the front cover?

What are the bears doing?

Where are they?

Do the bears look happy? How can you tell?

Are they having fun? What do you do for fun?

What time of year is it? How can you tell?

Have you ever done that?

Tell me about it.

How does it make you feel to play in the leaves? Is it fun?

What games can you play in the leaves?

What does it sound like when you stand on autumn leaves?

What is the relationship between big bear and little bear? Are they friends? Is big bear the mum, dad, aunty, uncle, grandma, granddad of little bear? Do you have an adult in your life that you do things with?

Page 1

Do you have days when you are a little bit sad?

Show me a sad face.

Can you tell me about those days?

What makes you sad?

What do you do to make yourself feel better?

Why do you think little bear sometimes feels sad?

Page 2

Do you think little bear likes helping his daddy?

How can you tell?

Do you like helping people? What do you do to help? How does it make you feel to help someone?

Why did daddy pick a big special leaf for little bear?

Why is it special?

If you could give someone a special leaf who would you give it to?

How does little bear feel now he has a special leaf?

Has anyone ever given you something special? What was it?

Page 3

Are they really playing football?

Can you see a ball?

What are they using instead of a ball?

Have you ever played football with leaves?

How is little bear feeling now?

How is big bear feeling now?

Are they having fun?

Page 4

What are little bear and mummy bear doing?

Do you like to be hugged?

Does anyone rub noses with you?

Does anyone give you a tickle to make you laugh?

How does it feel to be hugged?

How does it feel to be tickled?

Who do you like hugging best of all?

Page 5

Does it make you feel happy when your mum or dad gives you a great big kiss?

Page 6

What are little bear and daddy doing in this picture?

What time of day is it?

Do you like night time?

What do you like/dislike about it?

How do you think little bear feels knowing daddy has chosen a special star for him?

How is the star special?

Who would you give a special star to?

Have you ever been given something special?

How does it make you feel to be given something special?

How does it make you feel to give someone something special?

Page 7

What are little bear and daddy doing in this picture?

Do you ever count the stars? How many can you count?

Why does counting stars make little bear feel happy?

Do you think daddy bear is happy too?

Page 8

What are mummy bear and little bear doing in this picture?

Do you like choosing books to read?

Mummy bear has chosen a special book for little bear. Why is it so special?

Do you have a favourite or a special book?

What is the book called? What is it about? How does it make you feel to read your special book?

Page 9

What are little bear and mummy bear doing now?

Do you ever snuggle up with someone and listen to a story?

How does it make you feel?

Can you read some of the words in your special book?

Page 10

What is little bear doing now?

Do you ever sneak into your mum and dad’s bed?

Why do you think little bear is doing that?

What is he still thinking about?

What do you think about when you are in bed at night and it is all dark?

What could you think about to make yourself feel cosy, relaxed and happy?

Little bear was given some special things – a leaf, a star and a book. Have you ever been given something special? How did it make you feel?

Draw a picture. Remember special things do not need to cost a lot of money.

Draw a picture of you playing in the leaves. Who would you like to play in the leaves with? Draw a picture of them too.