Share the story

Picture talk
Talk about the cover picture, naming the animals and thinking what it might be like to be on the boat.  Open the cover and talk about where the story takes place. Can you see any of the characters from the boat? Then turn to the first page and introduce Mr Gumpy. What can children tell about him from the picture?

Read aloud
Read the story aloud, taking time to talk together about the pictures as you do. Encourage your child to imagine what might happen next and turn the page to see if their predictions were right. What do they expect Mr Gumpy to say and do when the boat tips up?