Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

Complete lesson plans, including stories, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

The Sleepy Snowman

A sleepy snowman named Frosty embarks on a quest to find his missing carrot nose.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a mystical winter wonderland, there lived a sleepy snowman named Frosty. Unlike other lively snowmen who loved playing in the snow all day, Frosty was always dozing off. While his frosty friends enjoyed snowball fights and building snow forts, Frosty would often be found snoozing in the snow. The other snowmen would giggle and whisper, but Frosty couldn’t help himself. He was simply the sleepiest snowman in town.

One snowy morning, while Frosty was taking his usual nap, a mischievous squirrel named Nutty noticed his slumber and had an idea. Nutty scampered up to Frosty, hopped onto his hat, and began tickling the snowman’s carrot nose. Frosty stirred and let out a big sneeze, sending his carrot nose flying into the air. Nutty quickly grabbed it and scampered away. Frosty woke with a start, rubbing his eyes and wondering where his nose had gone.

Feeling groggy but determined, Frosty set out on an adventure to find his missing nose. Along the way, he came across a wise owl named Oliver, who offered to help him in his quest. Oliver advised Frosty to search high and low, near and far, as missing items were often found in the most unexpected places. Encouraged by the owl’s words, Frosty cheerfully continued his search.

As Frosty traveled through the winter wonderland, he encountered many friendly creatures who shared stories of their own lost belongings. The snow hare had lost her earmuffs, the polar bear misplaced his fish, and even the penguins couldn’t find their matching scarves. These encounters taught Frosty that everyone faces challenges, big or small, and the key was to keep a positive attitude and never give up.

Finally, Frosty arrived at the top of a snow-covered hill and saw Nutty chattering away with a group of squirrels. He gathered up all his courage and approached them. Much to Frosty’s surprise, Nutty apologized for his prank and handed over the carrot nose. As Frosty placed the nose back on his face, he felt a warmth spreading within him – not just from his carrot nose, but from the kindness and forgiveness he had shown. From that day forward, Frosty stayed awake a little longer each day, enjoying the wonderful adventures and laughter with his frosty friends.

And so, the sleepy snowman learned that sometimes even the sleepiest of snowmen can have incredible adventures and make lasting friendships, as long as they keep their hearts open and embrace each new day with a smile.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1mysticalHaving a spiritual or magical quality that is difficult to understand or explain
2dozingFalling into a light sleep; napping intermittently
3mischievousPlayfully naughty or troublesome
4scamperedMoved quickly and lightly
5groggyDazed and weak, as if from sleep or tiredness
6determinedHaving made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it
7adventureAn exciting or very unusual experience
8questA long or arduous search for something
9encountersMeetings or experiences with other people, especially by chance
10challengesDifficult tasks or problems that need to be overcome
11positiveHaving an optimistic or hopeful outlook
12courageThe ability to face fear or pain with bravery
13chatteringTalking rapidly and continuously in a noisy way
14kindnessThe quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate
15forgivenessThe act of pardoning someone for an error or offense

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why did Frosty always fall asleep in the snow?
2. What did Nutty do to Frosty while he was sleeping?
3. How did Frosty feel when he woke up and realized his nose was missing?
4. Who offered to help Frosty find his missing nose?
5. What did Frosty learn from the encounters with the other creatures in the winter wonderland?
6. Where did Frosty find Nutty and his missing nose?
7. How did Nutty react when Frosty approached him?
8. What did Frosty learn from his adventure and the kindness and forgiveness he showed?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a mystical winter wonderland, there lived a (1)______ snowman named (2)______. Unlike other lively snowmen who loved playing in the snow all day, Frosty was always dozing off. While his (3)______ friends enjoyed snowball fights and (4)______ snow forts, Frosty would often be found snoozing in the snow. The other snowmen would giggle and whisper, but Frosty couldn’t help himself. He was simply the sleepiest snowman in town.

One snowy morning, while Frosty was taking his usual nap, a mischievous squirrel named Nutty noticed his slumber and had an idea. Nutty scampered up to Frosty, hopped onto his hat, and (5)______ tickling the snowman’s carrot nose. Frosty stirred and let out a big sneeze, sending his carrot nose flying into the air. Nutty quickly (6)______ it and scampered away. Frosty woke with a start, rubbing his eyes and (7)______ where his nose had gone.

Feeling groggy but determined, Frosty set out on an adventure to find his missing nose. Along the way, he came across a wise owl named Oliver, who offered to help him in his quest. Oliver advised Frosty to search high and low, near and far, as missing items were often found in the most unexpected (8)______. Encouraged by the owl’s words, Frosty cheerfully continued his search.

As Frosty traveled through the winter wonderland, he encountered many friendly creatures who shared stories of their own lost (9)______. The snow hare had lost her earmuffs, the polar bear misplaced his fish, and even the penguins couldn’t find their matching scarves. These encounters taught Frosty that everyone (10)______ challenges, big or small, and the key was to keep a positive attitude and never give up.

Finally, Frosty arrived at the top of a snow-covered hill and saw Nutty (11)______ away with a group of (12)______. He gathered up all his courage and approached them. Much to Frosty’s (13)______, Nutty apologized for his prank and handed over the carrot nose. As Frosty (14)______ the nose back on his face, he felt a warmth spreading within him – not just from his carrot nose, but from the kindness and (15)______ he had shown. From that day forward, Frosty stayed awake a little longer each day, enjoying the wonderful (16)______ and laughter with his frosty friends.

And so, the sleepy snowman learned that sometimes even the sleepiest of snowmen can have incredible adventures and make lasting friendships, as long as they keep their hearts open and embrace each new day with a smile.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the importance of having a positive attitude in facing challenges?
2. How would you feel if you were constantly sleepy like Frosty? Why?
3. Do you think it’s important to forgive others when they apologize? Why or why not?
4. How do you think Frosty’s adventure changed him as a snowman?
5. What is the significance of Frosty’s carrot nose in the story?
6. Do you think it’s important to have friends who support you in difficult times? Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if you lost something important to you, like Frosty lost his nose?
8. What do you think the author is trying to teach us through this story?
9. Have you ever encountered a situation where you had to keep a positive attitude and not give up? Can you share your experience?
10. What are some unexpected places where you have found lost items in your life? Can you give examples?
11. How do you think Frosty’s adventure impacted his relationships with other snowmen?
12. Do you like stories with moral lessons like this one? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. mystical
2. dozing
3. mischievous
4. scampered
5. groggy
6. determined
7. adventure
8. quest
9. encounters
10. challenges
11. positive
12. courage
13. chattering
14. kindness
15. forgiveness

Meanings:
(A) Talking rapidly and continuously in a noisy way
(B) Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it
(C) Having a spiritual or magical quality that is difficult to understand or explain
(D) The act of pardoning someone for an error or offense
(E) A long or arduous search for something
(F) Dazed and weak, as if from sleep or tiredness
(G) Moved quickly and lightly
(H) The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate
(I) The ability to face fear or pain with bravery
(J) Difficult tasks or problems that need to be overcome
(K) Having an optimistic or hopeful outlook
(L) An exciting or very unusual experience
(M) Meetings or experiences with other people, especially by chance
(N) Falling into a light sleep; napping intermittently
(O) Playfully naughty or troublesome
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the sleepy snowman?
(a) Frosty
(b) Snowball
(c) Chilly
(d) Icy

2. What does the mischievous squirrel do to Frosty?
(a) Steals his hat
(b) Tickles his nose
(c) Pushes him over
(d) Throws snowballs at him

3. Who helps Frosty in his quest to find his nose?
(a) Nutty the squirrel
(b) The snow hare
(c) The polar bear
(d) Oliver the owl

4. What does Frosty learn from his encounters with other creatures?
(a) Lost items are always found
(b) Snowmen should never go on adventures
(c) Everyone faces challenges
(d) Kindness is not important

5. Where does Frosty find his missing nose?
(a) With Nutty the squirrel
(b) On top of a snow-covered hill
(c) In a snow fort
(d) In a pile of snowballs

6. What does Frosty feel when he puts his nose back on?
(a) Coldness spreading within him
(b) Happiness spreading within him
(c) Sadness spreading within him
(d) Warmth spreading within him

7. What does Frosty do after finding his nose?
(a) Goes back to sleep
(b) Stays awake a little longer each day
(c) Ignores his frosty friends
(d) Leaves the winter wonderland

8. What is the moral of the story?
(a) Sleepy snowmen should stay asleep
(b) Adventures are not worth the effort
(c) Keep a positive attitude and never give up
(d) Kindness and forgiveness are not important

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Along his journey, Frosty receives help and advice from a wise owl named Oliver.
2. Frosty learns the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and embracing each day with a smile.
3. Nutty the squirrel plays a prank on Frosty by returning his carrot nose.
4. Frosty’s friends find his sleepiness annoying.
5. Frosty goes on a journey to find his missing nose.
6. Nutty eventually apologizes and returns Frosty’s carrot nose.
7. Frosty is a snowman who hates to sleep.
8. Frosty encounters other creatures who have found their belongings.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this story in two sentences. Here are some hints:
Who are the main characters?
What happens in the story?

Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Frosty always fell asleep in the snow because he was the sleepiest snowman in town.
2. Nutty tickled Frosty’s carrot nose while he was sleeping.
3. Frosty felt surprised and confused when he woke up and realized his nose was missing.
4. Oliver the owl offered to help Frosty find his missing nose.
5. Frosty learned that everyone faces challenges and the key is to keep a positive attitude and never give up.
6. Frosty found Nutty and his missing nose at the top of a snow-covered hill.
7. Nutty apologized for his prank and handed over the carrot nose when Frosty approached him.
8. Frosty learned from his adventure and the kindness and forgiveness he showed that even the sleepiest of snowmen can have incredible adventures and make lasting friendships as long as they keep their hearts open and embrace each new day with a smile.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) sleepy
(2) Frosty
(3) frosty
(4) building
(5) began
(6) grabbed
(7) wondering
(8) places
(9) belongings
(10) faces
(11) chattering
(12) squirrels
(13) surprise
(14) placed
(15) forgiveness
(16) adventures
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. mystical
Answer: (C) Having a spiritual or magical quality that is difficult to understand or explain

2. dozing
Answer: (N) Falling into a light sleep; napping intermittently

3. mischievous
Answer: (O) Playfully naughty or troublesome

4. scampered
Answer: (G) Moved quickly and lightly

5. groggy
Answer: (F) Dazed and weak, as if from sleep or tiredness

6. determined
Answer: (B) Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it

7. adventure
Answer: (L) An exciting or very unusual experience

8. quest
Answer: (E) A long or arduous search for something

9. encounters
Answer: (M) Meetings or experiences with other people, especially by chance

10. challenges
Answer: (J) Difficult tasks or problems that need to be overcome

11. positive
Answer: (K) Having an optimistic or hopeful outlook

12. courage
Answer: (I) The ability to face fear or pain with bravery

13. chattering
Answer: (A) Talking rapidly and continuously in a noisy way

14. kindness
Answer: (H) The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate

15. forgiveness
Answer: (D) The act of pardoning someone for an error or offense
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the sleepy snowman?
Answer: (a) Frosty

2. What does the mischievous squirrel do to Frosty?
Answer: (b) Tickles his nose

3. Who helps Frosty in his quest to find his nose?
Answer: (d) Oliver the owl

4. What does Frosty learn from his encounters with other creatures?
Answer: (c) Everyone faces challenges

5. Where does Frosty find his missing nose?
Answer: (a) With Nutty the squirrel

6. What does Frosty feel when he puts his nose back on?
Answer: (d) Warmth spreading within him

7. What does Frosty do after finding his nose?
Answer: (b) Stays awake a little longer each day

8. What is the moral of the story?
Answer: (c) Keep a positive attitude and never give up
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Along his journey, Frosty receives help and advice from a wise owl named Oliver. (Answer: True)
2. Frosty learns the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and embracing each day with a smile. (Answer: True)
3. Nutty the squirrel plays a prank on Frosty by returning his carrot nose. (Answer: False)
4. Frosty’s friends find his sleepiness annoying. (Answer: False)
5. Frosty goes on a journey to find his missing nose. (Answer: True)
6. Nutty eventually apologizes and returns Frosty’s carrot nose. (Answer: True)
7. Frosty is a snowman who hates to sleep. (Answer: False)
8. Frosty encounters other creatures who have found their belongings. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

A young boy's discovery of a mysterious fossil leads to a village's newfound fame and unity.

The Fantastic Fossil

A young boy’s discovery of a mysterious fossil leads to a village’s newfound fame and unity.

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