0:42:50 > 0:42:57.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05CBeebies Bedtime Story.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Now, you're almost ready.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12Oh, hello. My name's Lulu.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16I was just making sure that Rabbit was ready to see you.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20Look she's wearing a sparkly skirt and top.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24Perfect, because there's a little rabbit getting all dressed up,
0:43:24 > 0:43:28ready to dance in tonight's bedtime story.
0:43:28 > 0:43:29It's by Mandy Stanley
0:43:29 > 0:43:33and is called Lettice - The Ice Princess.
0:43:33 > 0:43:38Lettice Rabbit and her family lived high up on top of the hill.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41Nibble, nibble, hop, hop - every day was the same,
0:43:41 > 0:43:43until one winter afternoon.
0:43:43 > 0:43:47Lettice peeped out to find the trees garlanded with icicles.
0:43:47 > 0:43:52On the lake, children were whizzing over the ice on skates.
0:43:52 > 0:43:57"That looks fun!" laughed Lettice, racing down to watch them.
0:43:57 > 0:44:00Lettice leaned forwards, further and further,
0:44:00 > 0:44:04but the bank gave way and she slid out across the lake.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07"There's a rabbit!" cried a voice.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11Lettice twizzled round and fell in front of a little girl.
0:44:11 > 0:44:15"Hello," said the little girl. "My name's Ella."
0:44:15 > 0:44:17Ella's friends giggled
0:44:17 > 0:44:21as Lettice tried to stand up, wobbled and landed on her bottom.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25"We're having a Winter Festival," explained the children.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27"You can join in."
0:44:27 > 0:44:31"I wish I could," whispered Lettice. "I haven't anything to wear."
0:44:31 > 0:44:36"Don't worry," said Ella. "We'll help you dress up."
0:44:36 > 0:44:38She smiled at Lettice.
0:44:38 > 0:44:40"I'm a bit nervous, too.
0:44:40 > 0:44:44"You see, I'm going to be crowned the Ice Princess.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47"I'm sure you're going to bring me luck."
0:44:47 > 0:44:51Ella helped Lettice skate over to a big box full of dresses.
0:44:51 > 0:44:56Lettice couldn't wait to try one on, but they were all far too big.
0:44:56 > 0:45:01So, Ella said, "Let's make a dress out of these scarves."
0:45:01 > 0:45:04There was a soft pink one with pom-poms
0:45:04 > 0:45:05and a gold sparkly one.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08Lettice wrapped them around herself.
0:45:08 > 0:45:12She could hardly believe what a pretty dress they made
0:45:12 > 0:45:14as she looked at her reflection.
0:45:14 > 0:45:19"There's one thing we've forgotten," said Ella's friend.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22"Lettice hasn't got any skates."
0:45:22 > 0:45:24Lettice's face fell.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27How could she skate on her bare paws?
0:45:27 > 0:45:30But the smallest girl said shyly,
0:45:30 > 0:45:33"My lucky mascot is a tiny pair of skates
0:45:33 > 0:45:36"and they look just the right size."
0:45:36 > 0:45:41Shivering with excitement, Lettice tried them on
0:45:41 > 0:45:43and they fitted perfectly.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46At last, it was time for the festival to start.
0:45:46 > 0:45:50The music was playing and Ella began to dance.
0:45:50 > 0:45:52She was so graceful.
0:45:52 > 0:45:56Her friends joined in and gently, they tugged Lettice after them.
0:45:56 > 0:46:01Ella's friend proudly carried the shining tiara
0:46:01 > 0:46:03to crown the Ice Princess.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06Suddenly, she skated over a lump of ice and slipped!
0:46:06 > 0:46:09Everyone shrieked in horror
0:46:09 > 0:46:13as the tiara flew through the air and rolled towards the bank.
0:46:13 > 0:46:15Lettice didn't even think.
0:46:15 > 0:46:19Like a flash, she was off, whizzing over the ice.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22The tiara had disappeared into the bushes,
0:46:22 > 0:46:26but in no time, Lettice was there, burrowing through the snow.
0:46:26 > 0:46:30The children whooped with joy as Lettice reappeared,
0:46:30 > 0:46:32snowy, but triumphant.
0:46:32 > 0:46:36Ella couldn't stop beaming with happiness
0:46:36 > 0:46:38as she was crowned the Ice Princess.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41She took off her bracelet of silver stars
0:46:41 > 0:46:45and slipped it over Lettice's ears saying,
0:46:45 > 0:46:49"Now, you're a princess, too."
0:46:49 > 0:46:53Then, Lettice danced all by herself in front of the Ice Princess.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57Her starry crown twinkled in the lights of the coloured lanterns
0:46:57 > 0:47:01as she leaped and swayed to the music.
0:47:01 > 0:47:03Soon, it was time for the children to go home.
0:47:03 > 0:47:08They said Lettice could borrow the lucky skates to show her family.
0:47:08 > 0:47:14"But you can keep my bracelet forever," said Ella, hugging her.
0:47:14 > 0:47:18Lettice was still in a whirl when she got home.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20"Come outside!" she cried.
0:47:20 > 0:47:25Her little sisters and brothers peeped out and were very excited.
0:47:25 > 0:47:30"Lettice is all starry like a princess!" they giggled.
0:47:30 > 0:47:32The moon shone large and silver over the lake
0:47:32 > 0:47:37as the rabbits raced down to play on the ice.
0:47:37 > 0:47:42"I'm the luckiest rabbit alive," sighed Lettice,
0:47:42 > 0:47:46and she showed them the dance of the Ice Princess.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49And that story was called Lettice - The Ice Princess.
0:47:49 > 0:47:54Wasn't it lovely that Lettice danced on the ice in a pair of skates?
0:47:54 > 0:47:58I love dancing, just like her, but since the moon is shining,
0:47:58 > 0:48:01it's time to stop dancing
0:48:01 > 0:48:04and dream of skating in a winter wonderland
0:48:04 > 0:48:06as you go to sleep.
0:48:06 > 0:48:11I'll see you soon for another story. Have sweet dreams. Night-night.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15Now then, Miss Rabbit. What kind of dancing do you like?