Transcript

MUSIC

Let's have some fun 

with things that rhyme

welcome Kids 

it's poetry time!

Hip Hip Hurray!

Welcome everyone to Kids’ Poetry Club with me, Little Dazzy Donuts. I’m fighting my way through the rain on my way into the Club! It has been pouring down all day. There are rivers of rainwater flowing down the roads, and its deep enough on the sidewalk to soak my shoes and socks. Hopefully it’s warm and dry inside of the Club. As I’m not quite there yet, why don’t we take advantage of this time to do our Club registration? This is where you get to shout out your name and get a Club point for being here. So, on the count of three, shout out your name so that I can hear you through your phone, computer, or radio.

Let the drum roll begin. Here goes …. One. Two. Three! ….. Excellent!

Well, I just arrived at the Club. Let’s head in and see how Queenie and Chicken are getting on.

SOUND (Door)

Hi Queenie. Hi Chicken.

Queenie: Oh, hi Little Dazzy Donuts!

SOUND (Chicken).

Oh, hi Shasta. You’re here too! That’s great.

SOUND (Sheep)

Well, you have a full house here today, Queenie.

Queenie: We do. We’re actually meant to be outside in the garden doing some of our Autumn preparations, but it’s raining way too much for that. I went out there for half an hour, and my welly boots filled with rain water and I made a loud squealching sound every time I took a step. So, we’re in here until the rain dies down a little.

Ah, yes. That explains the socks on the heater.

Queenie: Yes – they’re mine. I’m trying to dry them out enough to put them back on once the rain stops.

So, what sort of work does the garden need this time of year?

Queenie: Oh, Autumn is a busy time of year for gardeners. Look – here’s my checklist of things we need to do once the rain stops. Number 1 is to dig up the soil where the veggies have finished for the season, and to prepare it for planting some of our late crops. Which takes me nicely to number 2 – we’re going to plant broccoli and some more cabbages – you know, you never can have too many cabbages. That’s something they really ought to place more emphasis on in schools. Oh, and Number 3 is putting compost around the flower beds and bushes ready for the harsh months that are coming – a nice layer of compost will help the plants to survive frosts and keep them healthy for next year.

Gosh – that sounds like a lot of work.

Queenie: Well, it’s not really work … it’s gardening. Those are two different things. Work is work …. whereas gardening is fun! We enjoy our gardening. Plus, that’s just the first three items on the checklist … there are three more pages of items after that. Look, page 2 is mostly about the wildflower garden and what we can do to provide Autumn flowers for bees …. And page 3 is mostly about Hedgehog.

How is Hedgehog, by the way?

Queenie: Oh, they’re fine. We’re down to the last few weeks of Hedgehogging season. I don’t talk about it much as it’s sad to think of, but we’re getting close to the time when Hedgehog will hibernate for Winter. It’s going to be quiet without Hedgehog around, that’s for sure. I’m so used to sitting down with Hedgehog and Chicken on Chicken’s deck, and we’ll chat for hours before one of them goes off to fetch more slugs from the garden.

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: Oh, you’re right, Chicken. I shouldn’t allow myself to feel upset. After all, we do have the pajama party to look forward to. We’ve promised Hedgehog a nice goodbye party before hibernation starts. Assuming it stops raining by then! And seeing as it’s happening at night, we’re going to make it a big pajama party.

A party for people in big pajamas?

Queenie: Oh no – a big party for people in pajamas. I suppose we better clarify that when we write the invitations!

Seeing as you have so much to do on your checklist, it’s a shame that it’s raining so heavily today.

Queenie: It is – but, you know what, it will stop raining eventually … and, until it does, we’re in here doing the obvious.

The obvious?

Queenie: Yes – the obvious for one Queenie, one Chicken, and one Shasta on a wet day. We’re playing board games! What better way for friends to pass the time!?

Well, that sounds like fun. I didn’t know we had any board games at the Club.

Queenie: Oh, we don’t – and so we’ve spent the first hour inventing our own. As we’ve done that, we’ve made sure that we’ve invented games that four people can play so that you can join us.

I admire your creativity, that’s for sure. Okay, count me in. I’d love to play board games with you all.

Queenie: We’re just setting up Game Number 1. You’re going to love this – it was designed and built by Chicken and Shasta. As you can imagine – the creative juices were flowing once these two started working together. Now, it takes a little while to get all of the pieces into place, so while we’re getting ready to start, would you be willing to read a poem to us, Little Dazzy Donuts?

Most definitely, I am. I have some ideal poems here with me today. Let’s see which one I should read first. I know, I’ll start with this one … it’s called “Saving For A Rainy Day” and it’s all about the tasks we start doing in Autumn once the hot days of Summer are over. Here. I’ll read the poem to you now ….

I pretended all Summer,

they didn’t exist,

but with Autumn arriving,

I’ll get out my list.

There’s a puzzle on the shelf

I’ll be fetching down soon,

and a book at my bedside

I haven’t opened since June.

There are cobwebs need cleaning,

toys under the bed,

and more hair in my hairbrush,

than there is on my head.

There are socks spread widely

all over the place,

and clothes that need folding

piled on each space.

I have cousins to write to,

and friends I should phone

having missed a few birthdays:

an omission I’ll own.

I have a list full of tasks,

I store safely away.

It’s important to be saving

for the next rainy day.

Queenie: Oh, I liked that poem, Little Dazzy Donuts. It’s a lot like the list I have of tasks we need to complete in the garden this Autumn.

Okay then, how’s it going with setting up the first game?

Queenie: We’re ready! Look! Doesn’t this look impressive.

My gosh – it looks professional. There’s a colorful board … and a nice velvet bag … and a large pile of what looks like sweet corn pieces. So, how do we play?

Queenie: Okay …. Let me talk you through the rules. We have a nice velvet bag here …. Ohhhhh, I love the feel of velvet ….  It’s so velvety! Oh, sorry, I got distracted there. Well, the bag has some cards inside. Each card has a letter of the alphabet written on it.  You’ll pick seven of them out of the bag, and see whether you can make a word out of some or all of them. If you can, you put that word down on the board … like so. If you want, you can build off someone else’s word by adding a few of your own letters. The bigger the word, the more corn you win. Oh, and if you put a letter on one of those triple corn squares, then you win three times’ the amount of corn.

Ummmm … this sounds a lot like Scrabble? But with corn.

Queenie: Like what?

Like Scrabble.

Queenie: Nope – haven’t heard of it. Have you of it, Chicken? Shasta?

SOUNDS (Chicken, Sheep)

Queenie: Nope – we don’t know what Scrapple it. Chicken and Shasta just invented this game – so it’s braaaaaand new! Okay, let’s start. So, we each take 7 cards from the bag.

Okay … I’ll take mine.

Queenie: As our esteemed guest, you can go first, Little Dazzy Donuts.

Ummm …. Well, with the letters I’ve pulled out of the bag, I’m not sure I can go.

Queenie: Oh … perhaps we can help you as you’re new to the game. What letters do you have?

I have a B, another B, a third B, then four Rs. I don’t even have any vowels to make up a word.

Queenie: Let’s see. Well, there’s Bbbr.

There is?

Queenie: Sure! Then there’s Brbr.

Oh, I see now. I’m guessing that Chicken made these letter cards!

Queenie: Of course, she did. But don’t worry, it’s not all cards for Chicken words.

Well that’s a relief.

Queenie: No, the bag contains a lot of A cards too …. So you can made words like Baaaaaaa. It’s a Chicken AND Sheep game. Oh well, why don’t you put down Brbr for now. You’ll get the hang of it. Now it’s my turn … oh my gosh, I can add two Bs to the start of your word, Little Dazzy Donuts and make BBBrbr. Oh, and that’s a double corn word … and my first B is on a triple corn square. So I get …. Ummmm …

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: Oh, you’re right, Chicken … I get 24 pieces of corn. YIPPEE!!!!!!!

I tell you what, why don’t the three of you play and I’ll read you a second poem?

Queenie: Okey dokey!

This second poem is all about a game – but not Chicken and Shasta’s game, but a jigsaw puzzle, and not an easy one either. It’s called “Jigsaw Puzzled”. Here, I’ll read the poem to you now.

One thousand pieces,

all of them black.

I’ve started to wonder:

should I take this one back?

I’ll exchange for another

that won’t take as much time,

where the pieces all differ,

unlike all of mine.

I’ve emptied the box,

spread the pieces all out.

There’re no difference in shading,

or the way they’re cut out.

After a whole day of trying,

I haven’t even slept.

Yet despite all my efforts

I’ve found none that connect.

I wanted a puzzle,

but the best puzzle in sight,

is why I bought a jigsaw

of a black cat at night!

You know, Queenie, I’ve done a few jigsaws that were really tough to do – but I’m glad that I’ve never tried doing one of a black cat at night! Now, how’s it going with your word game?

Queenie: It’s going well. We’re just wrapping up. We have a clear winner, but it was contentious for sure.

In what way?

Queenie: It turns out that it’s tough to play the game using Sheep and Chicken words because neither language is really written down. They’re spoken languages … and so we had to guess how some of the words are spelled, and that did lead to a few disagreements. I meant, just how many Bs do you think are in BBBBrrrrr?

I’m not sure. Perhaps 4.

Queenie: That’s what I thought. But Chicken is convinced that it’s 9, and so that gave her three triple corn

Squares and two double corn words, all in one word. Well, it added up to more corn than we actually had … and so we declared Chicken the winner. Which means that we now transition to the next game.

So, what game are we playing next?

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: Ah – yes!!! Chicken has made a wonderful version of the old family favorite chutes and ladders.

That sounds perfect. Now, where I grew up, that game was known as Snakes and Ladders. I loved playing the game as a child. Now, did you know that the game dates back two thousand year to India, and there have been lots of different versions over the years.

Queenie: Well, I bet that there has never been a Hedgehog version … until now. Chicken has designed a Hedgehog version that we can play when Hedgehog comes around later this evening. We’re going to have a fun games night, and we wanted to make sure that Hedgehog felt at home with a game that was … Hedgehog-friendly.

Excellent. So, it looks like the board is very similar to the one I played with as a child. So, let’s get going with the game.

Queenie: Why don’t you go first again, Little Dazzy Donuts?

Okay – here goes … I’ll roll the die. And I got a 6! Yippee!!!! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Now it’s your go, Shasta.

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: A good 5 for you there, Shasta. You’re next Chicken.

SOUND (Chicken)

Oh, just a 1. Don’t worry, Chicken, you’ll catch us up on your next roll. Okay, Queenie – you’re next.

Queenie: YIPPEE!!!! A 6. I’m on the same square as you, Little Dazzy Donuts.

Okay, it’s my go again now. And I have a 5 … so that’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Oh, great, I’ve landed on a ladder. That means that I get to climb up from square 11 all the way up to square 33.

SOUND (Chicken).

Queenie: Ummm … Little Dazzy Donuts … Chicken says that’s an illegal move.

It is? Why?

Queenie: She says that you can’t climb the ladders. You slide down those.

I do?

Queenie: Of course you do! This is the Hedgehog version of the game … and, as we all know, hedgehogs can’t climb ladders.

Oh, so if you slide down the ladders, then what happens if I land on a snake?

Queenie: That’s not a snake. It’s a slug! There’s a big difference. Slugs are good things … and hedgehogs love slugs. So, if you land on a slug, you go up the squares.

So, this isn’t snakes and ladders, it’s slugs and ladders. And the ladders go down, and the slugs go up?

Queenie: You’re getting it now. I tell you what, perhaps we should pause and have a cup of tea. You can read us another poem, and then we’ll pick back up again.

I think you’re right. Who knew games’ night would be so eye opening. Well, seeing as we’re all sharing our games, how about I read a poem that’s also a game. It’s a little riddle, and so it’s a poem where you have to work out the answer – a bit like a game. The poem is called “My Autumn Riddle.” Here, I’ll read it to you now.

It was under my arm,

when I returned home in Fall,

but can you now guess

what the object is called.

It starts with a letter

in Parsley and Pea,

if I then throw in Sprouts,

there’s not two but three.

The second is in Sunshine

but not Rain Or Snow

The third is a letter

that comes before NO.

The fourth and the first

are exactly the same,

and the fifth is in cake

but isn’t in came.

The sixth and the seventh

are definitely in.

All the clues that you need

are now hidden within.

This riddle is tough.

I cannot deny.

While you figure it out,

I’ll go make some pie.

So, have you three figured out the riddle?

Queenie: Ummmmm ….. I don’t think so.

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: Oh, Shasta’s onto something. She thinks she has the first letter – you said, “It starts with a letter

in Parsley and Pea, if I then throw in Sprouts, there’s not two but three.” Well, if we look at Parsnip, Pea, and Sprout, the only letter that appears three times is the letter P. So Shasta thinks the word starts with P.

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: Little Dazzy Donuts, can we have a little time to work on this while you wrap up the episode?

Of course, Queenie. You three work on the riddle, and while you do, I’ll remind everyone that there are lots of ways to join in with the club. If you go to kidspoetryclub.com, you can see the PodSnack video for the episode, plus there’s information on how to send your poems and drawings into the club, including your poem and art entries into the Autumn/Fall competition on the topic of gratitude – so, what you’re thankful for, grateful for, and appreciative of. You’ll find everything you need at kidspoetryclub.com.

It has been so lovely to spend time with you! Thank you for joining me, Queenie, Chicken, and Shasta. I hope you enjoyed yourself, and hope you’ll be back for more next time the Club meets. Join us again next week when we’ll have a brand new topic, and new poems.

As always, let's finish with our short goodbye poem:

We've had some fun 

with things that rhymed

goodbye Kids 

until next time!

This is Little Dazzy Donuts saying .... keep rhyming!!!

Okay then, Queenie … what’s the answer to the riddle?

Queenie: We figured it out. The answer is pumpkin.

You’re right – well done. Now, if only we had some pumpkin pie like there is in the riddle. You know what, I’ll pop off to the Rising Bun Bakery to get us some pie while you three play some more board games. We can then eat pie and play games until Hedgehog arrives.

Queenie: Excellent. I’ll put the kettle on. Oh, and don’t forget your coat!

MUSIC