The Very Cranky Bear: Written Retell Booklet has been designed to accompany a whole class reading of the picture book The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland.

These adorable booklets include 11 scenes that will support your students in writing a retell of the story on the blank lined pages. This provides an opportunity for you to check their understanding of the key elements of the text, including the characters, setting, and plot.

The booklet is printed 2 to a page for easy assembly. Simply print all pages back to back, flipping on the long edge, and then slice down the middle to create 2 separate booklets. The compact format makes them perfect for independent or small group writing tasks.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Retell key events of a familiar narrative in written form
• ✅ Develop sequencing and text structure understanding
• ✅ Build writing fluency and confidence
• ✅ Strengthen comprehension of character, setting, and plot
• ✅ Support independent and guided writing tasks linked to literature

What’s Included:

• 11 illustrated scene pages with blank lined space for student writing
• Formatted 2 to a page for easy booklet assembly

Materials Needed:

• Printed The Very Cranky Bear: Written Retell Booklet pages (printed back to back, flip on long edge)
• Scissors or paper trimmer (to slice booklet pages down the middle)
• Stapler (to assemble the booklets)
• Pencils or pens for writing

How to Use:

1. Read The Very Cranky Bear with your class.
2. Discuss the key elements of the story: characters, setting, and plot.
3. Print and assemble the Written Retell Booklets following the included instructions.
4. Students write their retell of the story, using the illustrated scenes to support sequencing and content.
5. Encourage students to share their completed booklets with peers or as part of a class display.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as an independent comprehension and writing task after reading The Very Cranky Bear.
• 💡 Include in a literacy rotation for structured retell practise.
• 💡 Use for assessment evidence of comprehension, sequencing, and writing skills.
• 💡 Add to a relief folder as a no-prep, high-impact writing activity linked to a familiar text.

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Enlarge the booklets to A3 for Early Years and Foundation students to provide more writing space.
• 💛 Model how to structure a written retell before students begin writing independently.
• 💛 Encourage students to use the vocabulary from your class word wall or vocabulary mat while writing.
• 💛 Pair the written retell with an oral retell to further strengthen comprehension and language skills.

The Very Cranky Bear: Written Retell Booklet is a flexible and engaging way to build comprehension, sequencing, and writing fluency. It’s the perfect companion to your literacy unit on this much-loved text!

Check out more amazing resources related to The Very Cranky Bear in our The Very Cranky Bear PACKAGE.