Conversation Starters

Click one of the buttons below to view each character's conversation starters.

Ace The Horse
Bizzy Buzzy Bee
Deedely Dee
Donny Dolphin
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Gangly And Gorgeous
Gnomes From Gnomeland
Hairy Herby
Kangy The Surfer
Pompey The Pelican
Rexzy Rabbit
Roley Poley

Ace The Horse Conversation Starters

1.

Ace is a large horse. Do you know that horses are measured in a unit called ‘hands.’ Do you know how tall you are? Let’s measure you are in centimetres or metres.

2.

Do you remember the other horses in the story? What made those horses special?

(Boris - Draught Horse, Sally - Performing Horse)

3.

Ace is a special horse as he helps children who feel a bit nervous or sad. What makes you happy or sad, excited or confused?

(Dialogue around the different emotions we feel. Reassure children that it is okay to feel lots of different emotions. It is important to talk about how we feel with the people we trust.)

4.

How could we help another person if they were feeling a little sad?

(Make them smile or laugh, give them some flowers, write them a nice note/letter, make them something yummy to eat.)

5.

I wonder where horses live in our neighbourhood? Let’s see if we can visit them and possibly take them some food? What do you
think horses eat?

6.

Boris, the draught horse had an accent when he spoke. Do you know what that is? People who speak more than one language or come from another country/ location, sometimes speak with an accent. Do you know anyone who speaks with an accent?

7.

Sally was a performing horse.
What kind of tricks do you think she did at her shows?

8.

I like the rhyming words in the song. Can we think of some more words that rhyme together? Sing the song together listening for rhyming words. Once they have been identified, look around the room to find some more words that rhyme with these words.

Print the Ace The Horse Conversation Cards

Bizzy Buzzy Bee Conversation Starters

1.

Keeping busy makes Bizzy Buzzy Bee feel happy. What makes you feel happy?

2.

Do you know that bees play a very important role in nature? Bees support the lifecycle of flowers and plants.

3.

In the story, Bizzy Buzzy Bee’s hive is a very interesting shape.
Let’s make our own beehive out of paper mache.

4.

Bees can sometimes sting, so we need to be careful. Do you know any other insects that might sting?

5.

Honey is very delicious. How about we cook some Honey Joys to share with our friends. We can look up the recipe together.

6.

The flowers in the story were colourful and attractive to Bizzy Buzzy Bee. Let’s plant some flowers in our garden so we can watch the bees visit to collect nectar and pollen as they fly from flower to flower.

7.

I like Bizzy Buzzy Bee’s song. Let’s sing it together. We can even practise the Waggle Dance.

8.

Can you hear words that rhyme in the story? Let’s think of other words that rhyme?

Print the Bizzy Buzzy Bee Conversation Cards

Deedely Dee Conversation Starters

1.

I love ducks?

Do you love ducks?

What is your favourite animal?

{Talk about favourite animals, and where these animals might live}

2.

Have you ever seen a duck waddling along? They have a funny walk! Do we know any other animals with a funny walk?

3.

What was Deedely Dee doing when the Imagineland children found her?

{Gathering food for her family}

4.

What's your favourite food to have at home?

{You could make a list - begin to cook these foods together}

5.

Deedely Dee was lovely at sharing in the story.

What do you share with your family and friends?

6.

I love the game
"I Spy" - do you?

What letter could we start with?

7.

I heard some rhyming words in the story.

Did you hear them?

(Share these, and see if you can create some more rhyming words)

8.

Shall we go to the park soon and see what other animals might live at the park?

(Birds, Bees, Possums, Owls, Fish, Frogs)

Print the Deedely Dee Conversation Cards

Donny Dolphin Conversation Starters

1.

What type of animal is Donny?

{A Dolphin}

2.

Have you ever seen a dolphin? Where do you think you might see one?

{Should we research this together?}

3.

Donny was a friendly Dolphin to the children. How are you a good friend?

{Talk about different ways to be a good friend}

4.

In the story, they talk about different ways that can be used to communicate.
Do you know what that means?

{Using verbal and nonverbal cues, like smiles, and waves, and nods!}

5.

The kids from Imagineland were very happy to meet Donny. What other emotions did we see? What makes you happy or sad, excited or surprised?

{Dialogue around different emotions we may feel. It’s ok to have lots of emotions. It is great to talk about how you are feeling with people you trust.}

6.

The Imagineland kids were near rocks, rockpools, and the water. Do you think they had an adult with them, even though we didn’t see them?

It is important to remember, as a child, that you should always have an adult close by when you are playing near water.

7.

There were a lot of dolphins in the story. Do you know what a group of dolphins are called?

{A pod.}

8.

Do you think dolphins like Donny could be harmed by rubbish in the ocean? How could we make sure dolphins are not hurt and are safe?

{Recycle in the bins, encourage people not to use plastics, change packaging.}

Print the Donny Dolphin Conversation Cards

Fuzzy Wuzzy Conversation Starters

1.

What type of animal is Fuzzy Wuzzy?

{Bear}

2.

Have we ever seen a real bear?

Where might we?

{Zoo, Wildlife Park - this could be researched together}

3.

I don't think real bears would want to play with us! Fuzzy is an imaginary character.

Do you know what imaginary is?

{Make believe - ask what else is make believe?}

4.

Was Fuzzy Wazzy happy or sad in the story?

{Sad at the start because he was lonely, and happy at the end when he made friends}

5.

What makes you happy or sad, excited, or confused?

{Dialogue around different emotions we may feel, and that it's ok to have lots of emotions - great to talk about however are feeling with people you trust}

6.

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a pretend story, but do you think we should talk to strangers in the forest or at the park?

{Talk about "Stranger Danger"}

7.

That looked like a yummy picnic they were having.

What should we pack at our next picnic?

{Healthy foods, discuss the balance of good/bad foods}

8.

I like the rhyming words in the Fuzzy Wuzzy song.

Can we think of some more together?

{Sing along and listen for rhyming words and then look around the room, and find some more that rhyme}

Print the Fuzzy Wuzzy Conversation Cards

Gangly And Gorgeous Conversation Starters

1.

Gangly and Gorgeous are giraffes. Have you ever been to the Zoo or a Wildlife Park and seen a real giraffe?

2.

The Imagineland kids talk about being on ‘safari’. What do you think that means? What might happen when you are on ‘safari’?

Which country do you generally go on ‘safari’ in?

{Africa}

3.

What other animals do you see in Gangly and Gorgeous’ story? I saw an elephant and a lion? Is an elephant a large or a small animal? How about a lion?

{Both Lions and Elephants are large animals}

4.

Gangly and Gorgeous were excited to make new friends with the Imagineland kids.

What do you enjoy most about making new friends?

5.

What makes you happy or sad, excited or confused?

{Dialogue around different emotions we may feel, and that it’s ok to have lots of emotions - great to talk about how we are feeling with people you trust}

6.

Gangly and Gorgeous ate leaves from the trees. Should we eat plants or leaves by ourselves when we are outside? Or should we first check with an adult?

7.

What a lovely song about friendship and everyone being a star! You’re a star to me. I think you’re great!

{Tell your child why they are so special. List all the awesome attributes they have.}

8.

I like the rhyming words in Gangly and Gorgeous. Let’s go through the story together and find words that rhyme.

{Read together and listen for rhyming words and then look around the room/house to find more words that rhyme.}

Print the Gangly And Gorgeous Conversation Cards

Gnomes From Gnomeland Conversation Starters

1.

Have you ever seen a gnome in a garden? Let’s take a walk around the neighbourhood to see if we can find any garden gnomes?

2.

Do you think gnomes are real or imaginary?

3.

The Gnomes from Gnomeland like to keep fit and exercise. Let’s do some exercise as a family.

4.

How cool are the tricks the gnomes do? Do you know any tricks? I like watching magic tricks at the circus!

What is your favourite?

5.

What else could live in a garden?

{Fairies? Insects?}

6.

Who is your favourite gnome? What is it that you like
about them?

{Is it the colour of their hat, or perhaps…}

7.

I heard some rhyming words in the story. Did you hear them?

{Share the words and see what other rhyming words can be created}

8.

The Gnomes enjoy making new friends. Do you like to make friends? How can you be a good friend?

Print the Gnomes From Gnomeland Conversation Cards

Hairy Herby Conversation Starters

1.

A habitat is somewhere animals and insects choose to live. What do you think of Hairy Herby’s habitat and the garden in which he lives?

2.

Have you ever seen a caterpillar crawling anywhere? Did you know they leave a trail behind them of where they have been?

3.

Do you think Hairy Herby was a bit cranky at the beginning of the story? Are you ever cranky?

4.

Imagine you built a home like Hairy Herby’s habitat. What would you put in it? What do you think you would call it?

5.

The Imagineland kids learnt about the environment from Hairy Herby.

What is something new that you learnt today?

6.

Did you know that some caterpillars turn into butterflies?

7.

I heard some rhyming words in the story. Did you hear them?

8.

Let’s go into the garden or to the park to see what insects
we can find?

Print the Hairy Herby Conversation Cards

Kangy The Surfer Conversation Starters

1.

What type of animal is Kangy The Surfer?

{Kangaroo}

2.

Have you seen a kangaroo in real life? Did you know they are native to Australia?

{Let's research kangaroos together to find out more about them}

3.

Kangy speaks to the Imagineland kids about safety at the beach. What safety rules did he share about the flags? Why do you think it is important to follow these rules?

{Swim between the flags. Surf outside the flags. Discuss the beach rules and other rules that are in place in the community.}

4.

Surfing at the beach looked like a lot of fun. Would you like to try surfing or even paddle boarding? What items do you think we would need?

{Surf or paddle boards, sun safety - hat, sunscreen, sun shirt.}

5.

The UV rays from the sun can damage our skin. Getting sunburnt can be painful. Do you remember in the story the items Kangy used to protect his skin from the sun and stay sun safe?

{Hat, sunscreen, sun shirt, umbrella}

6.

Do you know whose job it is to protect and help us while we are at the beach? Who else in the community helps us?

{Police, Ambulance, Doctors, Nurses}

7.

In the story Kangy says the word ‘G’day.’ This is a greeting that means ‘hello’ in some countries. Can you think of other words which mean ‘hello’ from other
countries/languages?

{Bonjour is French, Hola is Spanish, Ni Hao is Chinese, Kon’nichiwa is Japanese}

8.

I like the rhyming words, today and hooray, in the Kangy The Surfer Song. Let’s think of some more?

{While singing along to Kangy’s Song, listen for rhyming words, then look around the room to find other words that rhyme with the words you identified}

Print the Kangy The Surfer Conversation Cards

Pompey The Pelican Conversation Starters

1.

Pompey is a pelican, which is a rather large bird. Do you think up close Pompey would be as tall as you?

2.

Do you think Pompey is confident in what he says and does? What is something you feel confident doing?

3.

Do you think the Imagineland kids like Pompey? Why?

4.

What do you think Pompey learned in the story?

5.

Pompey lives by the seashore. What other birds or creatures live close to the sea?

{Seagulls, Seals, Crabs}

6.

Imagine we were visiting the seashore. Could we go fishing? What might we need to take with us to do that?

{A fishing rod and bait, a net, sunscreen, and a hat, perhaps a picnic!}

7.

I heard some rhyming words in the story. Did you hear them? Share these, and see if you can create some more rhyming words.

{Do & You, Shy & Try}

8.

I like Pompey’s song. Do you like it? What do you think makes a good friend?

{Being kind and caring.}

Print the Pompey The Pelican Conversation Cards

Rexzy Rabbit Conversation Starters

1.

I love rabbits. Do you love rabbits? What is your favourite animal?

{Talk about your favourite animals, and where these animals might live}

2.

Have you ever seen a rabbit hop? What are other ways that animals move?

{Bounce, gallop, trot, jump and fly}

3.

What was Rexzy Rabbit doing when the Imagineland kids
found him?

{Trying to eat a golf ball. Oh my! Should we eat golf balls?}

4.

Do you like eating eggs? What could we make with eggs? Maybe an omelette, poached or scrambled eggs, or even a cake?

5.

Rexzy lives underground. Do we know any other animals that live underground?

{Mole, worm, snake, and wombat}

6.

Were the Imagineland kids on a golf course in the story? Do you know how to play golf?

7.

I heard some rhyming words in the story. Did you hear them?

{Share the words and see what other rhyming words can be created}

8.

The Imagineland kids shared their picnic tea with Rosie and Rexzy. Do you share your things with your friends? How does it make you feel when you share?

Print the Rexzy Rabbit Conversation Cards

Roley Poley Conversation Starters

1.

Do you know what kind of animal Roley Poley is?

{Mole}

2.

Have we ever seen a mole before?

{Moles like to be anywhere that they can dig - perhaps search where you might find one}

3.

Did you like the sport that Roley invented? Did you think you/we could do that?

{Perhaps we could try it next time we are at the park}

4.

If we were to play the rolling game, what kind of rules do you think we would need?

{You could establish some as family, and introduce the concept of rules in different games}

5.

I like Roley's sister, she is a good roller too!
Do you think they have fun being brother and sister?

{This could open a dialogue about family dynamics such as what it's like to have a brother or sister. Or, for only children. What it might be like to have a sibling.}

6.

Have you ever heard of someone being a World Champion before?

{Explain what it takes to be a world champion at something. Perhaps watch an internet clip featuring a famous athlete, or borrow a biography from the library. }

7.

I like the Roley Poley song - do you think we could sing it together?

8.

I can hear words that rhyme, can you?

{Hear the words and say these, they think together of other words you both know that rhyme}

Print the Roley Poley Conversation Cards