Ruby Finds a Worry Reading Guide & Activities | Ages 12 Months–8 Years

Turn storytime into an opportunity to read together, create together, and grow together with this printable companion guide for Ruby Finds a Worry, written and illustrated by Tom Percival.

Designed for children ages 12 months through 8 years, this guide helps you explore the story at your child’s developmental level—without turning reading time into a lesson or quiz. Start by simply enjoying the book together. Then return to the story whenever you are ready to talk about worries, notice emotional clues, and practice helpful ways to cope.

Inside this 20-page guide, you’ll find:

• Three During Reading Tips to make the story interactive and engaging
• Age-appropriate After Reading Questions for:
• 12–18 months
• 18–24 months
• Ages 2–4
• Ages 5–8
• Guidance showing where to ask each question, which skill it supports, and how to help your child respond
• Materials and step-by-step directions for three interactive activities.
• Bonus Family Conversation Questions for ages 2–4 and 5–8
• Opportunities to build emotional awareness, oral language, comprehension, critical thinking, empathy, problem-solving, and self-regulation

About the activities

Each activity helps extend the message of the story: everyone experiences worries, and worries can often feel more manageable when we notice them, talk about them, and find healthy ways to cope.

Choose one activity or complete all three. The goal is not a picture-perfect project—it is the connection, conversation, and time spent creating together.

This guide is a good fit for families who want to:

• Help children understand and talk about worries
• Make storytime more interactive
• Ask meaningful questions that fit their child’s age
• Build emotional vocabulary and comprehension skills
• Introduce practical, child-friendly coping tools
• Enjoy prepared activities without having to plan everything themselves

Please note

This is a digital PDF download. No physical book, printed guide, or craft supplies will be mailed.

You will need access to a copy of Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival. The book may be borrowed from your local library or purchased separately.

Recommended ages: 12 months–8 years

Format: Printable digital PDF

Length: 20 pages

Included activities: 3