Sue Johnston - This Book Belongs to Aye-Aye CBeebies Bedtime Stories

CBeebies Bedtime Story.

Hello, my name's Sue.

I'm just looking through this marvellous collection

of picture books.

I love books. Do you?

Well, it's time for me to tell you a story about a friend of mine

who also loves picture books.

His name is Aye-Aye.

So, if you're sitting comfortably, then I'll begin.

Tonight's story is called This Book Belongs To Aye-Aye.

And it's by Richard Byrne.

Aye-Aye loved picture books.

He loved the pictures, he loved the stories,

he loved them so much that the thing he wanted most,

in the whole wide world, was to be in a picture book.

But two rabbits in Aye-Aye's new class at Miss Deer's Academy

for Aspiring Picture Book Animals

thought he was far too funny looking for that.

The rabbit twins pointed and sniggered.

"Whoever heard of an aye-aye being in a picture book?" they said.

"You're just not cute or fluffy enough!"

When Miss Deer told the class about a new competition, everyone gasped.

"The most helpful animal this week,"

she said, "will win a very special prize."

Aye-Aye wondered if the prize could be the thing

he wanted most in the whole wide world.

At home time, Aye-Aye helped Squirrel to collect up the books.

They were just passing Miss Deer's chalkboard when...

the rabbit twins pushed past, singing,

"We're going to win! We're going to win!"

"Just ignore them," said Squirrel, kindly.

"Tomorrow we have art and craft, so don't forget your apron."

In the morning, Aye-Aye and Squirrel noticed

that the competition had mysteriously changed.

"The most creative animal in the class will win a special prize."

Miss Deer clapped her hands.

"We're going to do some painting," she said,

"so let's put on our aprons."

But it wasn't easy. Squirrel and Duck needed some help.

And by the time they were ready to paint, all the paints had gone.

The rabbit twins had taken them all.

And all the brushes, pencils, paper, card and glue.

The only thing they hadn't taken was a pile of old newspapers.

Aye-Aye had an idea.

He picked up a newspaper and started to fold it.

The others gathered around to watch.

"Goodness, how creative!" said Miss Deer.

"And one for me too. That's very kind, Aye-Aye."

The rabbit twins looked grumpy.

After school, Frog hopped alongside Aye-Aye.

"We've got PE tomorrow," he explained,

"so don't forget your water bottle!"

In the morning, Aye-Aye, Squirrel

and Frog noticed that the competition had mysteriously changed again.

"The sportiest animal in the class will win a special prize."

Miss Deer blew her whistle.

"We're going into the hall for PE," she said,

"so let's all fill our water bottles."

Mouse, Frog, Squirrel and Duck needed some help.

And by the time they were ready, the rabbit twins had taken all

the balls and all the bean bags.

The only thing left was an empty box.

Aye-Aye had an idea.

He turned the box upside down, then he climbed up

and reached out his hands. "Come on, Squirrel," he said.

"Goodness, what a team!" said Miss Deer, as she caught the first ball.

The rabbit twins looked grumpier than ever.

After school, Mouse scampered alongside Aye-Aye.

"We're having our class photograph tomorrow,"

she explained, "so don't forget to wear something special."

In the morning Miss Deer took all the animals outside for their photograph.

"I need some help with my bow."

"Say cheese!" she said.

Everyone smiled their biggest smiles.

The rabbit twins looked very pleased with themselves.

"We're the cutest," they muttered.

Later that day, Aye-Aye and all his friends noticed that

the competition had mysteriously changed again.

"The cutest, fluffiest,

"twinniest bunnies in the class will win a special prize."

And this time, Miss Deer noticed too.

Miss Deer soon solved the mystery of how

and why the words on the chalkboard had been changing all week.

"As the naughtiest animals," she said to the rabbit twins,

"your job is to clean the classroom.

"And this big, shiny cup is for Aye-Aye,

"because he has been the most helpful animal."

After cleaning the classroom,

the rabbit twins decided to say sorry to Aye-Aye.

"That's a lovely prize," said Aye-Aye's new friends.

But Aye-Aye couldn't help feeling a little bit disappointed.

A big, shiny cup was nice,

but it wasn't the thing he wanted most in the whole wide world.

Then, just before home time, Miss Deer smiled knowingly,

and she took a book from her table.

"It's story time," she said, and a hush fell over the room.

"Aye-Aye loved picture books," began Miss Deer.

"He loved the pictures, he loved the stories,

"he loved them so much, that the thing he wanted most in the whole

"wide world was to be in a picture book."

And now, he was!

Lucky Aye-Aye, having a story all about him.

I think he deserved it though, don't you?

Now, you know what comes after a bedtime story, don't you?

That's right. It's bedtime.

Off you go and get tucked up,

and I'll be back again soon with another story.

Sleep tight.