Innehållsförteckning för December 2024 från Storytime

When they were almost finished, they heard a rap on the door. The shoemaker opened it… but nobody was there! “Hey! Down here!” He peered through his spectacles and saw tiny figures on the doorstep. “What a surprise! It’s the helpful elves who made us lovely shoes last Christmas!” the shoemaker exclaimed. “You all look very tanned! Did you enjoy your travels around the world?” He was answered by lots of little voices. “Oh, yes! We saw many things…” “And met friendly people!” “We learned so much!” The shoemaker was impressed. “You must have seen many different kinds of shoes!” The elves nodded. “You would be amazed! We’ll show you some of the things that people in other countries put on their feet!” In the blink of an eye, the…

Louis and his big brother and sisters helped to care for the animals. In autumn, they squashed the grapes to make wine. Louis’s father, Simon-René, made harnesses for horses. He used sharp tools to cut the parts out of tough leather. “If you do something, do the best job you can!” Simon-René told his youngest son. Louis liked his father’s workshop. It smelled of wood and wax! The boy would play with spare bits of leather he found. When Louis was three, he tried to make a hole in some leather. The tool he was using slipped from his hands and hurt his eyes. Doctors tried to help him, but his sight got worse. Before long, young Louis was totally blind. At first, the boy found it difficult to do…

1 DOLL PUZZLE! Mrs Claus has to work out how many dolls she needs to make for children this Christmas. Can you do the sums below to help her out? Last year, four kids wanted a doll in a red dress! A. This year, twice as many kids want a doll in a red dress! B. Three more kids want a doll in a green dress than in a red dress! C. There are five times more kids who want a doll in blue than a doll in red! 2 ARCTIC ANIMAL Which animal is hiding in this iceberg? Uncover his shape in the ice and write down what he is! 3 SPOT IT! A pair of clogs have gone missing from the shop, and the elves have asked you…

One Inuit boy was famous for his appetite. He would gobble more meat than anyone else and then have seconds. His friends joked that he would eat a whole seal if he could! That was why they nicknamed him ‘Glutton’. One day, he ate a huge breakfast and an even bigger lunch, but it was not enough. He decided to paddle out in his kayak and find more things to eat. After travelling for many miles, Glutton spotted a snow-covered island in the distance. There was a tent of some kind on it. Curious, Glutton paddled closer. The tent was made of skins and larger than any he had seen before. “I wonder if I could find something to eat in there?” he thought. “But who would live in such…

Snow fell from the grey sky and settled on the crooked branches of the trees. Hilda imagined that the twigs were claws reaching out to grab her! Swinging her heavy bag onto her shoulder, she kept walking. The road twisted and turned, changing into a path and then a track. Finally, she saw the castle between the trees. The walls were crumbling, and pointy turrets poked into the sky. There were holes in the roofs, and the castle’s windows were black and empty. It didn’t look welcoming, but Hilda pressed on. The creaking drawbridge crossed over a moat. Some planks had rotted away, leaving big holes. Hilda crept through the gatehouse and into the castle’s courtyard. Snow was piled in the corners, and an eerie silence filled the air. The…

They painted wooden tops and drums, tested toy steam trains and wound up jack-in-the-boxes. The kitchen was filled with steam as busy elves in chef’s hats put the finishing touches on lemon drops, chocolate truffles and candy canes. Mrs Claus peered through her spectacles as she put the final stitches on a doll’s dress. It was a minty green colour. When it was finished, she breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s the last one done! So many kids asked for these dolls this year!” There was a bang and a stomping of heavy boots as Santa came through the door into the factory. He was wearing his extra-thick winter coat and flying goggles. “Ho! Ho! Ho! The reindeer are harnessed, and the sleigh is ready to go!” he boomed. The…

Fires blazed in the many fireplaces, and rooms were lit by countless candles. Hundreds of people crowded into the great hall, for Queen Elizabeth I’s fabulous New Year’s party was about to begin! Lords and ladies in silk and velvet mixed with bishops in gold-trimmed robes and servants wearing simple wool. They carried gifts of all shapes and sizes, decorated with bows and bright wrapping paper. The buzz of conversation filled the air. Who would give the queen the best present and become her new favourite advisor? The huge doors swung open. Everyone fell silent as the queen glided into the hall, with her ladies-in-waiting behind her. She wore a dress of white silk, decorated with lace and gold thread. A red wig and a golden crown were on her…