Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2018 i Storytime

Mum looked at the glitter all over Myra’s bedroom floor and sighed. Myra picked up a glue stick and smiled apologetically. “What happened?” asked Mum. “It was Zena,” said Myra. Mum scowled. “Please tell Zena she needs to be more careful in future and keep the glitter on the plastic sheet.” At dinner, Myra asked for an extra bowl of custard to take up to Zena. Dad glanced at Mum. “It’s funny how Zena never wants a plate of broccoli. I wonder why that is?” Myra picked up the bowl of custard. “It’s because they don’t have broccoli on Planet Zog. They don’t have any green vegetables at all.” No one else in the family had actually seen Zena, but there were plenty of clues that she was around –…

One cloudy night, when the moon couldn’t be seen in the sky, the fireflies were putting on a dazzling display in the garden. With their tails aglow, they swirled and twirled through the air, lighting up the trees. When they landed, they looked like a string of twinkling garden lights. It was a magical sight, and the animals applauded them. Phoebe the firefly led the display because she was the brightest and most graceful of them all. Her light shone almost as brightly as the stars. “That was spectacular, Phoebe. Thank you,” hooted the old owl that came to watch her every night. But Phoebe wasn’t satisfied. “It’s a pity we have such a small audience. Why does everyone have to sleep at night? It’s a shame they can’t see…

In an age long before time, in the heavens above Japan, Susanoo the storm god was in a stormy temper again. He had picked another fight with his sister, the sun goddess, and his father was so furious, he banished Susanoo from heaven and sent him down to Earth. The storm god was shocked. His father had threatened to banish him many times before, but he had never thought he’d go through with it. Susanoo looked around. He found himself surrounded by lush green valleys and hills, and a river was flowing close by. In the distance, he spotted a simple wooden house. Susanoo set off towards it but, as he neared the hut, he heard crying. An old man and woman were sitting in their garden, weeping. Their daughter…

BOOKS OF THE MONTH OCEAN MEETS SKY (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books) is by The Fan Brothers – the creators of The Night Gardener – and it has the same beautiful dream-like quality. On the anniversary of what would have been his grandfather’s birthday, Finn sets out to find a magical place his grandfather once told him about – a place where the ocean meets the sky and wonderful things happen. It’s an awe-inspiring adventure, which stirs the imagination and gently broaches the subject of coping with loss and grief. BABY’S FIRST BANK HEIST by Jim Whalley and Stephen Collins (Bloomsbury) is a totally different read and is sure to make you laugh out loud. When baby Frank’s parents won’t let him have a pet, he takes matters into his own…

In summer I am very gladWe children are so small,For we can see a thousand thingsThat men can’t see at all. They don’t know much about the mossAnd all the stones they pass.They never lie and play amongThe forests in the grass. They walk about a long way off,And, when we’re at the sea,Let Father stoop as best he can,He can’t find things like me. But, when the snow is on the groundAnd all the puddles freeze,I wish that I were very tall,High up above the trees.…

We flap our flippers and plunge into the deep,Where we spot an anemone wake from its sleep.It wiggles its tentacles, looking for prey,But a fierce barracuda scares everything away. A clownfish ducks for cover in the coral reef,But the dolphins don’t fear the barracuda’s teeth.They much prefer to play, so they blow bubble rings,And the eels dart through them as quick as anything. A flying fish soars through with fins just like wings,But the flounder’s feeling flat, so doesn’t join in.Down among the sea grass, the green turtle grazes,While the hammerhead shark pulls funny faces. An imperial shrimp rides by on a sea slugAnd the jellyfish drifts on with its deadly hug.Its tentacles pierce plankton and kill krill for tea,But the armour-plated lobster is as safe as can be. The…

1 ODD ONE OUT One of these dragon heads is different to the others. Circle it when you spot it! 2 MOTHER GOOSE MATHS If four golden eggs are worth two bags of coins, how many bags of coins will Tom get for the eggs below? 3 MAKE AN ALIEN SPACESHIP Bring aliens from the Planet Zog to life – you could even make Zena! • Turn a paper plate upside down and paint it whatever colour you like – this will be the main part of your spaceship. Alternatively, cover it with aluminium foil.• Decorate the edges of the plate using gems, sequins or pens.• Use playdough, foam clay or normal modelling clay to mould a blobby alien.• Stick on googly eyes and give your alien pipe cleaner antennae.•…