For Teachers & Parents

Share a story, start a conversation

Choose one or two ideas for your child or group. There is no need to ask every question or finish in one sitting. Pointing, making a sound, signing, drawing and speaking are all ways to join in.

Print this guide on A4 or US Letter using your browser’s print menu. Choose your paper size and the normal scale. The book activities have their own PDF downloads below.

Reading aloud at home

• Start with the cover. Ask what Nana is carrying and what the washing machine’s face might be telling us. Let the child predict what a “naughty appliance” might do.
• Enjoy the story first. Read through Nana’s wash day before starting the sock hunt. Pause when a child notices something; returning to a favourite page is fine.
• Make room for the sounds. On pages 10–11, try “Bumpity-bump!” and “Bouncity-bounce!” with a playful voice. On page 22, soften “Whirr, swish, swirl.” Children can echo, tap a rhythm or listen.
• Leave a little thinking time. After Nana says “Stay still, please!” on page 12, pause before turning. Ask what might happen next and welcome different ideas.
• Follow the child’s pace. For younger listeners, point and name one thing at a time. For older listeners, invite a reason: “What in the picture makes you think that?”
• Return for a second look. Hunt for the small border sock after the story. Use the answer key for a gentle clue rather than giving the location straight away.

Questions to share

These age groups are suggestions, not a test. Use whichever prompts suit your listeners. Page numbers count the ownership page after the front cover as book page 1, matching the website reader and activity key.

Ages 2–3: noticing, sounds and playful movement

1. What can you see Nana putting into the machine? Point to something you recognise.

   Book page 7 — “Wash day!” Nana loads the clothes.

2. Can you find the big green button? What sound would you like to make when Nana presses it?

   Book page 8 — “Click. Thump, Whirr! Whirr!”

3. Which is your favourite: “Bumpity-bump” or “Bouncity-bounce”? Can you tap it gently on your knees?

   Book pages 10–11 — the machine jumps and dances towards the door.

4. What might a washing machine’s giggle sound like? Show a little wiggle with your fingers if you like.

   Book page 13 — the machine wiggles and giggles.

Ages 4–6: feelings, patience and kindness

5. How do you think Nana feels when she asks the machine to stay still? What clues can you find in the words or picture?

   Book page 12 — Nana says, “Oh dear!” and “Stay still, please!”

6. What might Nana say when she comes back and the machine slides in front of the door? Try a patient voice.

   Book pages 15–16 — Nana returns; the machine shuffles towards the doorway.

7. What do you notice about Nana’s little pat and the words “There, there”? What else could someone do or say to be kind?

   Book page 20 — Nana gently pats the machine.

8. What changes between the machine’s sigh and the last picture of Nana with it? What might help two characters become friends?

   Book pages 21 and 23 — the machine sighs; Nana and the machine become best friends.

Ages 4–6: sequencing, humour and imagination

9. What happened first, next and after that? Put loading the clothes, pressing the button and the machine jumping into order.

   Book pages 7, 8 and 10 — the wash day begins.

10. Which part of the machine’s dance makes you smile? How is its pretend wash day different from an ordinary one?

    Book pages 10–11 and 13 — jumping, bouncing, wiggling and giggling.

11. How would you say “Whirr, swish, swirl” at the end of this busy day? What sort of rhythm fits the picture?

    Book page 22 — the machine washes the clothes all day long.

12. If Nana and her new friend had another wash day, what might happen? Tell, draw or act out your own ending.

    Book page 23 — “they were the best of friends”.

A short classroom or small-group session

1. Gather and predict. Show the cover. Invite one or two guesses about what the machine might do, without needing everyone to speak.
2. Read and join in. Read the story, offering optional sound-word echoes or gentle seated finger movements. Keep the book visible and let children listen quietly if they prefer.
3. Talk in pairs or as a group. Choose two questions above. Accept different interpretations of the characters’ feelings and invite children to point to their clues.
4. Retell three moments. Use pages 7, 8 and 10 to sequence loading, pressing and jumping. Children can describe, point or draw the moments; no extra equipment is needed.
5. Finish with a choice. Try the sock hunt together, use a printable activity, or invite children to draw their own next wash day. Share one kind thing a character could say.

This is an imaginary story: use voices, drawings and pretend movements for the machine’s mischief, rather than a real appliance. Adapt the session length and participation to your group.

These are optional story-sharing ideas for ages 2–6.

A second read: the pink sock hunt

Find one small complete pink sock on each of 21 bordered pages: book page 1 and pages 5–24. Look around the clothes border, rather than for the larger socks within the story scenes. Give a hint such as “try the top edge”, or let a child guide your search.

Watch the movie together

Watch the read-along movie

The answer key and A4 / US Letter activity sheets are available on the Teachers & Parents page of the local website.