Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2015 i Storytime

Storytime|November 2015

The Greedy Fox

It was a cold harsh winter and the animals of the forest were hungry – especially Fox, who hadn’t eaten a scrap of food for days. “It’s okay for Bear,” shivered Fox, feeling sorry for himself. “She gets to curl up for the winter in her cosy cave with a full belly, dreaming of warmer days.” “And Squirrel can’t complain!” he moaned. “He’s been burying his secret fruit and nut supplies all over the place for months. But a fox? A fox like me has to hunt for food whatever the weather!” Fox shook the freshly fallen snow from his coat and slumped to the ground. His tummy ached with hunger, but he felt so tired and weak, he soon fell asleep. He was woken later that morning by the…

3 min

Storytime|November 2015

The Little Fir Tree

In the heart of the forest, there stood a young fir tree. It grew in a fine spot with plenty of fresh air and sunlight, but it was surrounded by trees that were far taller and stronger than itself. The little fir tree would look up at the other trees and wish that it was big and strong too. In its first winter, a hare hopped right over the little fir tree. It shook its branches with irritation and was so cross that it barely noticed the beauty of the snowy forest around it. When spring came, it didn’t notice the children who had their picnics by its side; the baby birds that played among its branches; or the sunbeams that danced among its needles. All the little fir tree…

6 min

Storytime|November 2015

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

They were happy days for Claus when he carried his toys to the local children. Wherever he showed his merry face, he received a cordial welcome, for his fame had spread. At each village the children swarmed about him, following his footsteps wherever he went; and the women thanked him for the joy he brought their little ones. Everyone smiled and gave him kindly words. Claus had been so industrious that all his shelves were filled with playthings, and after quickly supplying the little ones living near to Laughing Valley he saw he must now extend his travels to wider fields. He knew children were everywhere, and he longed to make as many as possible happy with his gifts. When his store of toys was exhausted, he set about making…

7 min

Storytime|November 2015

STORY MAGIC

4 Festive Books! Emma O’Donovan, who runs the brilliant book blog booksniffingpug.blogspot.co.uk , recommends four fab books for your Christmas list and our Book of the Month. Follow Emma on Twitter as @maybeswabey! 1. The Snow Beast by Chris Judge – the Beast and the Snow Beast unite in this madcap winter escapade, featuring an unexpected friendship and the ultimate Christmas party. (Andersen Press) 2. The Red Prince by Charlie Roscoe and Tom Clohosy Cole – an epic tale of courage, which will have readers on the edge of their seats as a prince in red pjyamas tries to escape his captors. (Templar Publishing) 3. Penguin’s Way by Johanna Johnston and Leonard Weisgard – a beautiful exploration of the life of the emperor penguin. This is perfect…

1 min

Storytime|November 2015

The Snow Child

On the edge of a forest in Russia, lived a couple called Sergei and Maria. Though they had lived long and healthy lives, they had never felt truly happy, because they had always longed for a child. They loved to watch the local children play, but it wasn’t quite the same as having a child of their very own. One winter, the snow fell deep in the forest – deeper than ever before. When it finally stopped, the village children squealed with delight as they jumped into snowdrifts and threw snowballs at each other. Sergei and Maria watched them fondly. When the children started to build snowmen, Sergei laughed and said, “Let’s join them! Let’s make our own snowman!” “Why not?” chuckled Maria. They wrapped themselves up warmly and went…

5 min

Storytime|November 2015

The Queen of Winter

Long ago, when the world was young, Scotland was ruled over by a powerful goddess called Cailleach, who sat on a throne at the top of Ben Nevis. Cailleach roamed the glens and bens of Scotland, guarding the wolves, deer and cattle from hunters. Everywhere she went, she was followed by the wild animals who loved her. She wore an old grey shawl and always carried her magic hammer. With these two things, she reigned supreme as the Queen of Winter. Every year in late autumn, she washed her shawl in the sea and placed it on top of the mountains to dry. When she lifted it, the peaks were covered with snow. Then, using the hills as stepping stones, she travelled across the land, pounding it with her magic…

3 min

Storytime|November 2015

Storytime Playbox

1 STARS LITTLE ! Can you match up the items the girl in Golden Stars gives away to the people she gives them to? 2 Present PILE-UP How many presents do you get if you add up all the gifts in Twelve Days of Christmas? Write your answer here. 3 Quick Quiz What does the Queen of Winter use to spread ice everywhere and shape Scotland’s mountains? 4 Snow Bodies Which of these snow-covered shapes is the Greedy Fox? Circle the one you think is right! 5 SOCK SNOWMAN Make a cute little snowman decoration for your Christmas table, inspired by our Snow Child story. • Before you begin, get everything together. You need scissors, a long white sock, a colourful ankle sock, rubber bands, rice, decorative ribbon, beads, buttons…

1 min

Storytime|November 2015

Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, My true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. On the third day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. On the fourth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. On the seventh day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree.…

2 min

Storytime|November 2015

Golden Stars

Long ago and not so far away from where you live, there was once a poor girl whose mother and father died suddenly one night. There was no one to look after her and all she had left were the clothes she was wearing and a loaf of bread. Sad and all alone in the world, the girl decided to set off for a walk in the hope that she might find someone kind to look after her. After a while, she met an old beggar, who was hunched by the side of the road. “Please can you spare some food for a hungry old man, miss?” The girl felt so sorry for the frail old man that she gave him her loaf of bread, without even taking a crumb…

4 min

Storytime|November 2015

SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER

How to Play You need two to four players and a dice to play this festive game! Print out our Gift Game Cards from storytimemagazine.com/free or use pennies as your presents. Decide which player will go first and which of the four sacks you’ll fill up – yellow , red, blue or green. Player one throws the dice onto the game board. If you land on a 1, put one present in your sack; if you land on a 2, put two presents in your sack and so on. Be sure to follow any special instructions you land on. Players take it in turns to roll and each player has five rolls (or you can have more rolls and play for longer). At the end of the game,…

1 min