Some activities that can used with Jumble the Puppy Summary of the story:

Chapter 1 Dan wants a puppy and on his seventh birthday his parents give him 'Jumble'. Jumble and Dan become great friends. When Dan is around, Jumble behaves, but when Dan goes to school Jumble is always in trouble. Finally, Dan's parents have had enough and plan to ask someone else to look after Jumble.

Chapter 2 Dan and Jumble love going to Smugglers Wood and hunting for treasure that was supposed to have been hidden there by smugglers long ago. While they are out walking in the wood, Dad decides to tell Dan that Jumble has to go. When Dad tells Dan the decision about Jumble, Dan is heartbroken and threatens to run away.

Chapter 3 Dan goes to tell Jumble that he will never let him be taken away, and they set about trying to find some treasure. When they return, Dad is nowhere to be seen. Finally, Jumble finds Dad lying at the bottom of the steep riverbank. He has slipped and broken his ankle and cannot move. Dan rushes off to get help and is annoyed that Jumble won't do as he is told. The dog stays with Dad.

Chapters 4 Finally, the ambulance crew arrive and help Dad. They admire Jumble for staying so loyally with Dad, and for barking so that they can find him. Dan's parents acknowledge how faithful Jumble has been and agree to keep him - as long as he attends puppy-training classes!

Suggestions for Chapter 1

Book introduction
Look at the cover with the reader and decide what the story might be about? What kind of puppy is Jumble and how do they think he will behave?

Potential problem vocabulary in this chapter could be - space, furry, creep, lonely, busy, curtains, shredded, caused.

After reading
Discuss the events of Chapter 1:
What does Jumble do while he has no one to play with?
Does he mean to be naughty?
Does Dad really want to give Jumble away?
What do the children think Dan will do when Dad tells him that Jumble has to go?

Suggestions for Chapter 2

Before reading
Recap the events of Chapter 1:
Why does Mum want to get rid of Jumble?
Is Jumble really a very naughty puppy?

Potential problem vocabulary in this chapter could be - favourite, woodland, buried, treasure, shriek, wrappers, tastiest, mischief.

Ask the children to find out what treasure Dan and Jumble discover in the wood. What does Dan do with it?

After reading
Discuss the events of Chapter 2:
What treasure does Dan and Jumble find?
What gold coins had Dan received?
What does Dad tell Dan at the end of the chapter?
What evidence is there in the chapter that Dad does not want to tell Dan that Jumble has to go?

Suggestions for Chapter 3

Before reading
Recap the events of Chapters 1 and 2:
What has happened so far in the story?
Why is Mum so annoyed with Jumble?
What have Mum and Dad decided to do about Jumble?
Do the children think that Dan will really run away because Jumble has to go?

Potential problem vocabulary in this chapter could be - eventually, swirling, whined, circles, busily, hollow, ruffling.

Ask the children to find out how Dan thinks that he will persuade his parents to let him keep Jumble, and why Dan is cross with Jumble at the end of the chapter.

After reading
Discuss the events of Chapter 3:
How does Dan think he is going to persuade his parents to let him keep Jumble?
Ask the children if they think Dan will succeed.
What present does Dad think about giving Dan to make up for losing Jumble?
Ask the children if they think this will succeed.
At the end of the chapter, Dan is cross with Jumble. Why does he suddenly agree with his parents' view of Jumble? What is Jumble really going to do?

Suggestions for Chapter 4

Before reading
Recap the events of Chapters 1,2 and 3:
What has happened so far in the story?
What is the main problem that the story contains?
How do they think it could be resolved?
What do they think will happen when Dan gets back to Dad?
What will Jumble do?

Potential problem vocabulary in this chapter could be - nuzzle, pitch black, guy, wrecker, favour, sheepishly.

Ask the children to find out what Jumble does to help Dad. Why has Dad fallen down the riverbank?
Ask the children to read Chapter 4 at their own pace.

After reading
Discuss the events of Chapter 4:
Why does Jumble stay by Dad?
How does he help Dad?
Why has Dad fallen down the riverbank?
How does Jumble become a hero?
What solution does the family come to that will enable them to keep Jumble?
Ask the children if they think it will work.
Discuss the problems and solutions in the story. Ask them to tell you the part they enjoyed the most.