{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe stories listed for the badges below are suggestions and can be changed for other stories that are more readily available or for one that you feel better sets up your activity or meeting. Follow the links below to jump to the different badges and see some ideas to get you started:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/squirrels/awards/all-about-adventure/\u0022 title=\u0022All About Adventure\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAll About Adventure Challenge Award \u0026gt;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/squirrels/awards/all-about-me/\u0022 title=\u0022All About Me\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAll About Me Challenge Award \u0026gt;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/squirrels/awards/all-around-us/\u0022 title=\u0022All Around Us\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAll Around Us Challenge Award \u0026gt;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/squirrels/awards/all-together/\u0022 title=\u0022All Together\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAll Together Challenge Award \u0026gt;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"fullWidth","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Chr /\u003E\n\u003Ch3 id=\u0022be active\u0022\u003EAll About Adventure Challenge Award\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis badge is all about trying something new, going on adventures and enjoying the outdoors\u003Cspan\u003E. \u003C/span\u003EBelow you\u0027ll find some short stories we\u2019ve written, and some suggestions of books you could borrow to use in your meetings.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"twoColumnWide","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKurtis loved to be out in nature. It was his favourite place to be. Kurtis, his sister Jaleesa and their mum would go out for walks in the woods near their house.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGoing for a walk with Kurtis took a long time. Even in the pouring rain or the boiling sun or the freezing cold, he would want to look at everything.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Wow! Look at that feather!\u2019 Kurtis shouted, and ran over to look at a long black feather sticking out of the mud. He put it in his pocket and got mud all over his trousers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMum gave a big sigh.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Wow! Look at that leaf!\u2019 Kurtis shouted, and ran down the path to a huge horse chestnut tree.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIts orange leaves drooped down, and one had fallen onto the ground. Kurtis didn\u2019t have a pocket big enough, so he put it up his jumper!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EJaleesa laughed at her brother, who had a big leaf sticking out of his clothes.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Wow! Look at this!\u2019 Kurtis said, crouching down to look at a spiky green ball on the floor. He didn\u2019t know what it was. He went to pick it up.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Ouch!\u2019 A long green spike had spiked him. It was too spiky to carry home.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThat gave Mum an idea.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Let\u2019s make a bindle bag,\u2019 she said. \u2018That way, you can collect all the things you like and carry them home. Then we can look at them together when we get back.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAt home, Mum found an old pillowcase. Kurtis and Jaleesa helped lay it flat while Mum cut it with a big pair of scissors. They found a long stick in the garden, and tied the bindle bag on with a nice tight knot.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey took it with them on their next walk in the woods.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Wow!\u2019 said Kurtis when he saw a smooth grey river rock. Mum reminded him to put it in his bindle bag to look at later. Their walk took half the time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen they got home, they opened the bindle bag and admired Kurtis\u2019 treasures. It was easier to see how beautiful they were when they were all laid out.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018No more muddy feathers in your pockets \u2013 phew!\u2019 said Mum.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018And no more leaves up your jumper!\u2019 laughed Jaleesa.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jess Connett\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"The Brilliant Bindle Bag"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt was going to be the best sort of Saturday. Aja\u2019s grandma had promised that they could go to the park. What\u2019s your favourite thing about visiting the park?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAja got dressed at top speed \u2013 she couldn\u2019t wait to set off! Then her grandma popped her head around the door.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018I\u2019m sorry, Aja,\u2019 she said. \u2018I don\u2019t think we can go to the park right now \u2013\u00A0look at the sky.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAja ran to the window and looked up. Grey clouds covered the sky like a big, heavy blanket.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Why can\u2019t we go?\u2019 Aja asked.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Clouds like that mean that it\u2019s about to rain,\u2019 Grandma explained. \u2018Go and get your pens and pencils, and I\u2019ll show you how it works.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAja grabbed her pens and followed her grandma to the kitchen, frowning to that she was still feeling sad.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Let\u2019s use some of this cotton wool to make a little cloud,\u2019 Grandma said. Aja made some clouds at the top of the picture. The cotton wool felt funny between her fingers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Clouds are made up of little drops of water.\u2019 Grandma explained. She began to add more cotton wool to Aja\u2019s cloud. \u2018When the droplets get too big, the water starts to fall as rain.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAja\u2019s grandma finished the picture by drawing little, blue raindrops with one of Aja\u2019s pens.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Well, I hate the rain!\u2019 cried Aja.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018I know,\u2019 said Grandma. \u2018It\u2019s really disappointing when we have to change our plans. But rain is important too.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAja wasn\u2019t sure she believed her grandma. Rain was cold and miserable. How could it be important?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Wild animals drink the rain \u2013\u00A0like the squirrels you see at the park,\u2019 Grandma said. She drew a puddle. Aja sighed, and drew a little squirrel with a big bushy tail. Grandma added a fish and a bird and explained that lots of other animals need rivers and lakes, which are filled up by rain.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018What about us?\u2019 Aja asked.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Our water is cleaned, then it comes through the pipes to our taps,\u2019 Grandma said. \u2018But it started off as rain too. Can you add us to the picture? What about some flowers?\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Flowers?\u2019 said Aja. \u2018They don\u2019t drink the water!\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Not like animals,\u2019 Grandma replied. \u2018But all plants need water to grow. The rain\u2019s important for the flowers we like to look at and all the things that farmers grow for us to eat.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAja looked at her picture. It was full of people, animals and plants that all needed the rain.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018There\u2019s just one more thing to add.\u2019 Grandma said. \u2018Do you know what can happen when the sun starts to shine again? That\u2019s when we get rainbows \u2013\u00A0look!\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAja turned around. The rain had stopped, and there was a huge rainbow stretching out across the sky.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Annabel Rose\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"A Cloudy Day"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHarvey the hedgehog looked up into the trees. His friend Sammy the squirrel was running along a branch, high up in the sky.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESammy skipped to the thin end of the branch and then did a huge flying leap into the next tree.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Wow!\u2019 shouted Harvey. \u2018That was amazing!\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESammy scampered up the tree trunk, did a flip, and sprinted down to the ground.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018I want to be able to run like that,\u2019 said Harvey. \u2018I\u2019m not very fast.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018All you need to do is practice,\u2019 said Sammy. \u2018I\u2019ve been doing this all my life. Oh, I know! We can set up an obstacle course! Then you can get lots of practice.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHarvey thought this was a great idea. He and Sammy began gathering materials from the woodland and setting them out into a course.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHenry and Humbert, Harvey\u2019s dads, saw them moving everything around and came over to help. Together they all moved the biggest branches, and rolled some heavy stones into position.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018OK, here\u2019s where you start,\u2019 said Sammy.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018You run along this branch. Then you crawl through this log, which is a long, dark tunnel. Then you jump onto the stepping stones. Don\u2019t fall into the shark-infested leaves! You have to jump between the stones, and the jumps get bigger.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Then you climb up this ladder made of sticks, and swing on the ivy to get on top of this big boulder. That\u2019s the end of the obstacle course.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHarvey went to the start line. By now, a crowd of woodland creatures had gathered to watch. \u2018You can do it, Harvey!\u2019 they said.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHarvey ran along the branch. His back leg slipped on the slippery moss, and he tumbled off, into the leaves!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018I\u2019m OK!\u2019 he said. He had rolled into a ball so he wouldn\u2019t hurt himself.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Try again, Harvey,\u2019 said Humbert. \u2018Try going a bit slower this time.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESoon, everyone was queuing up to have a go on the obstacle course that Sammy and Harvey had made.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt was very difficult, but every time they practised, they found it a little easier.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018This is really fun!\u2019 said Miguel the mouse, as he jumped across the stepping stones. \u2018Obstacle courses are my new favourite game.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jess Connett\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"The Woodland Obstacle Course"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESitting by a campfire, keeps us warm and makes our tea.\u00A0\u00A0 And sitting by the fire, this is where we like to be. But in the hot, hot summer, when the ground is cracked and dry. When building up our fires, there are things that we must try.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFirst to get permission, from whoever owns the land. So we don\u2019t make a fire where lighting fires is banned. Next, we choose the place to lay our fire a bed. Clear soil, no turf and leaves, to stop it should it spread.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ELook above to check for any overhanging branch. And spots where wildlife might stop to have their lunch. It\u2019s fine to change your mind, but remember be prepared. Keep sand or water near, so there\u2019s no need to be scared.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ENow turn to our fuel, taking what we need only. Keep it neat together, so it won\u2019t get lonely. Best wood is dead and dry, and all sorted out by size. Take no wood that\u2019s living, but find on the floor our prize.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDon\u2019t load it up too high \u2013 that\u2019ll spoil all of the fun. Let it burn steady and stop when you are done. When the evening\u2019s ended, rake the ash into a pile. To let the embers cool, you might have to wait awhile.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIf you\u2019re due to leave, then let the fire burn no more. Cover it with soil, and on it water pour. Replace the turf you took, and leave no trace behind, Only thanks and memories, for passers-by to find.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Will Dover\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Sitting by a Campfire"}]}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image behind","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECheck out your local library, or you can find a whole host of books and which libraries have them available at\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.worldcat.org/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022World Cat\u0022\u003EWorldCat\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere are some suggestions:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ENature Trail by Benjamin Zephaniah\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EStig of the Dump by Clive King\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe Hike by Alison Farrell\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe Koala who could by Rachel Bright\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Books to borrow","image":"/media/14817/squirrels_5colour_master_pattern10_rgb_teal-bark-navy-yellow-pink.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daab8e799080f0","imageFocus":"","imageId":28248,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"fullWidth","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Chr\u003E\n\u003Ch3 id=\u0022brilliant builder\u0022\u003EAll About Me Challenge Award\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis badge includes learning about yourself, helping other people and setting yourself a challenge.\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003EBelow you\u0027ll find some short stories we\u2019ve written, and some suggestions of books you could borrow to use in your meetings.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"twoColumnWide","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETara and Poppy were identical twins. When they were little, their mum liked to buy two of each outfit and dress them exactly the same.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CWow!\u201D people would say. \u201CThey look identical! How do you tell them apart?\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut when the twins started going to school, everyone in their class could always tell who was who.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETara liked to organise energetic games with lots of people. Poppy preferred to play quietly with one or two friends.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CHow can you be twins when you like different things?\u201D asked a boy in their class.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CTwins aren\u2019t identical in every way,\u201D said Tara. \u201CEverybody has things in common but we are all special and unique.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThat gave Tara an idea for a game. She whispered her idea to Mrs Lamb, the teacher, who thought it sounded fun. They invited everyone in the class to play.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CThe game is, you have to find your twin,\u201D Tara explained.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CYou can be twins who have the same colour hair, like me and Poppy, or you can be twins who both like the same hobby or have the same special talent. OK, go!\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEverybody found someone to talk to, and found out something that would make them twins.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETara asked everyone to explain why they were twins.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOne pair said: \u201CWe both collect special stones and rocks.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnother pair said: \u201CWe both want to ride horses when we are older.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA third pair said: \u201CWe have matching shoes!\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThen Tara told everyone to find a new twin. There was lots of excited talking in the room as all the pairs mixed up again.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen the game was finished, Mrs Lamb asked everyone to sit down. \u201CTara\u2019s game has taught us an important lesson. Everyone found at least two twins in this room. But is everyone here the same?\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe class looked around. Everyone was very different \u2013 from how tall they were to their favourite school subject.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CEveryone can find similarities with other people. That\u2019s how we become friends: because we like some of the same things. But we are always different too.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPoppy put up her hand to speak. She said: \u201CDifferences are a good thing. I couldn\u2019t think of a game as good as that, but Tara can. We are similar and different. We are all unique.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jess Connett\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"The Twins who were Similar and Different"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKiki and Jemima lived in the same village and were the very best of friends. They loved to play together, and they also loved to learn together at the village school.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOne sunny day at playtime, Kiki and Jemima were playing in the fields and smelling all of the lovely plants and flowers, when Kiki glanced down and noticed her shoelace had come undone.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Don\u2019t worry,\u2019 said Kiki. \u2018I know how to tie my shoelaces now.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EJemima looked a little sad. \u2018I don\u2019t know how to do that yet,\u2019 she said. \u2018Could you show me how, please?\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Of course!\u2019 said Kiki. She made two loops in her shoelaces and tied them together to make a knot.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EJemima watched carefully. \u2018That\u2019s great!\u2019 she said. \u2018I am going to try that myself tomorrow, before school.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe next day at school, Jemima was wearing her favourite shoes. They were tied up with tidy bows. \u2018Guess what?\u2019 Jemima said, when she saw Kiki. \u2018I remembered how you tied your shoes, and I carefully tied mine this morning, all by myself. Thank you for sharing, Kiki! I\u2019m very proud of myself.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018I\u2019m always happy to help,\u2019 Kiki said, with a big smile on her face. \u2018Sharing is caring after all!\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jo Bronziet\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Sharing is Caring"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EI am I, and you are you\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are many things we do.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDifferences \u2013 we\u2019ve got a few!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECause I am I, and you are you.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou run fast, I\u2019m rather slow\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou plant seeds and watch them grow\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThat takes patience, don\u2019t you know \u2013\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019m more the type to go, go, go!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI could show you how to dance\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOr put you in a magic trance\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019m good at watering the plants\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019ll teach you when I\u2019ve got a chance.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou know how to brush your teeth\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd tidy toys up underneath\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYour bed: in fact, you\u2019re very neat\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo be your friend is such a treat.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019m learning how to tie my shoes,\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou make your bed after a snooze.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELet\u2019s work together when we choose\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA game to play \u2013 try not to lose!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s good I\u2019m different from you\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe can share and learn anew.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ve got skills and I have too!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECause I am I, and you are you.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jess Connett\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"I am I, and you are you"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEvery Friday, on their way home from school, Omar\u2019s grandmother would take him to visit Star Barn.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOmar had named it because the farmer had painted the outside dark blue, and then splashed whites and yellows across it. It made the barn look like a starry sky on a clear night.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EInside Star Barn lived lots of different animals. What types of animals do you think might live in a barn?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe farmer would let Omar play with the animals: feeding them, cleaning them, and sometimes just having a chat with them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut on this particular Friday, Omar ran up the pebble drive to discover planks of star-dotted wood scattered across the ground. Where Star Barn used to be, a large tree \u2013 that had toppled over on its side \u2013 now lay.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe farmer was collecting the pieces of the broken barn. Seeing Omar\u2019s shocked face, they explained: \u2018That awful storm last week knocked down some trees and destroyed the barn.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Where are the animals?\u2019 Omar asked, worried about their safety. Usually Omar could hear the animals from the bottom of the drive, but today it was silent. What types of noises do you think the animals would make?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018It\u2019s okay, Omar. The big animals are staying in my friend\u2019s barn, and little animals are staying in the farmhouse with me.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOmar was happy the animals were being looked after, and asked: \u2018When will Star Barn be fixed, so that the animals can come home?\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe farmer looked sad. He explained the barn would cost too much money to fix, so most of the animals would have to be given to other farmers across the country. The farmer continued picking up pieces of star-dotted wood, with tears in his eyes.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s when Omar had a genius idea. He told his grandmother on the way home, and together they spent all weekend working on it.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn Monday morning, Omar carried a bag of salt dough stars into school. He had used a star-shaped cookie cutter to shape them: squeezing the squidgy dough between his fingers. What do you think the dough felt like?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen the stars were dry, he had painted them dark blue, and decorated them with white and yellow dots.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHe sold his stars every lunchtime in the canteen, and at home time by the pick-up spot, every day for a week.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBy Friday, he had made enough money from selling stars to save Star Barn. The farmer was able to build a bigger and better barn, and Omar helped paint it with stars of every shape, size and colour. The animals loved their new home, and slept happily every night in their beds beneath the stars.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Livia Carron\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"The Storm at Star Barn"}]}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image behind","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECheck out your local library, or you can find a whole host of books and which libraries have them available at\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.worldcat.org/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022World Cat\u0022\u003EWorldCat\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere are some suggestions:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EKindness is my Superpower by Alicia Ortego\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESuper Duper You by Sophy Henn\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe Very Helpful Hedgehog by Rosie Wellesley\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat if... by Samantha Berger\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe Cow who Climbed a Tree by Gemma Merino\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Books to borrow","image":"/media/14818/squirrels_5colour_master_pattern10_rgb_bark-yellow-fern-green-pink.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daab8e789298f0","imageFocus":"","imageId":28249,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"fullWidth","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Chr /\u003E\n\u003Ch3 id=\u0022exciting experiments\u0022\u003EAll Around Us Challenge Award\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis badge is all about exploring where you live, helping people in your local community and learning about Scouts and other countries\u003Cspan\u003E. \u003C/span\u003EBelow you\u0027ll find some short stories we\u2019ve written, and some suggestions of books you could borrow to use in your meetings.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"twoColumnWide","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMarco\u2019s favourite game was to pretend he was a secret spy.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHe and his nan would always go for a walk after school. They always tried to go down a road they had never been down before, or to notice something they had never noticed before.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018It\u2019s because we\u2019re secret spies and we need to keep our neighbourhood safe,\u2019 said Marco.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA good spy always has lots of gadgets. These are things that help them to do even more secret spying. Marco liked to dream up new gadgets and tell Nan about them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOne day, they were walking beside a tall hedge. The leaves were so thick, you couldn\u2019t see through.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018It\u2019s OK, because I\u2019ve got a spying gadget that gives me x-ray vision,\u2019 said Marco. \u2018I just put on these glasses and now I can see all the way through the hedge like it wasn\u2019t there.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018What can you see?\u2019 asked Nan.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018I can see a big house made of glass, and on the roof is a helicopter. It must be a house that belongs to a spy!\u2019 said Marco.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Will you take a picture with your gadget so I can see it too?\u2019 asked Nan.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECLICK! Marco pressed the button on his pretend camera and captured a picture of the spy\u2019s house for Nan.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis became his favourite thing to do. Gadgets were fun, but Nan didn\u2019t know how to use them. But with a picture, he could show Nan everything he could see. She could join in the game too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECLICK! Marco took a picture of a fluffy dog who was tapping a message with her paw.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECLICK! Marco took a picture around a corner, to see if there were any bad guys. Luckily, there was only Jerry, the nice man from the shop.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECLICK! Marco took a picture of their house, which cleared away any traps the enemies had set.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESoon it was Marco\u2019s birthday. Nan gave him a big box, tied up with a bow.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Here\u2019s a real gadget for you,\u2019 said Nan, and gave him a big hug. Marco opened the box. Inside was a real camera!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETogether, they carefully got the camera out. Marco looked through it. He saw Nan smiling and pressed the button. CLICK!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMarco turned the camera around to show Nan his first real picture. It was a great photograph.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jess Connett\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Marco\u0027s Photographs"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETomasz wasn\u2019t having a good day. He\u2019d woken up late so he had to get dressed in a rush, and on the way to school he\u2019d stood in a great big puddle that made his socks soggy.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHe got some spare socks, then went to his favourite place: the art area. Tomasz sat down and started to paint. His paintbrush swooped across the page as he created a beautiful picture of a fierce red dragon.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHe was just washing his brush, about to add the finishing touches, when \u2013\u00A0clatter! He knocked the water all over his painting. The colours started to run, and Tomasz\u2019s eyes filled with tears.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018That\u2019s so sad. But it\u2019s OK, Tomasz,\u2019 said Tomasz\u2019s friend, Morgan. \u2018I\u2019ll help you make a new picture.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMorgan got a new sheet of paper, and together they drew an even better picture of a dragon and her castle.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Thanks, Morgan!\u2019 said Tomasz.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt was time to play outside, so Tomasz grabbed his teddy. He swung on the swings. He dug in the sandpit. He collected fallen leaves. He played chase. And then Tomasz realised that he\u2019d lost his teddy. He started to sniffle. \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Losing things is hard,\u2019 said Flo. \u2018But it\u2019s OK, Tomasz. Your teddy\u2019s just having his own adventure. Let\u2019s go and find him!\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETomasz and Flo went back around the playground. Teddy wasn\u2019t playing chase. He wasn\u2019t near the big pile of leaves. He wasn\u2019t hiding in the sandpit. So they headed to the swings \u2013 and there was Tomasz\u2019s teddy.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Thank you, Flo!\u2019 said Tomasz.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinally, it was snack time. Tomasz carried his food over to the table really carefully. He was nearly there when he tripped and spilled his snack all over the floor.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Oh no,\u2019 Tomasz mumbled. \u2018Everything\u2019s going wrong!\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Oops!\u2019 said Kendra. \u2018It\u2019s OK, Tomasz. I\u2019ll help you clear it up.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EKendra helped Tomasz pick up his snack, and then Kyle shared some food that hadn\u2019t been on the floor.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Thanks!\u2019 said Tomasz. \u2018You\u2019re the best.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBefore long, it was time for the grown-ups to collect everyone.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018How was your day?\u2019 asked Tomasz\u2019s dad.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Well,\u2019 said Tomasz. \u2018It was almost all bad. But then lots of people made it better.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Annabel Rose\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Practising Kindness"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Lottie, I have an important job for you,\u2019 said Lottie\u2019s mother.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Your Aunt Lena, Uncle Paul, and cousin Ingrid are going to visit from Germany.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Ingrid hasn\u2019t visited before, and she\u2019s feeling a bit nervous. I want you to think of some ways to make her feel welcome.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELottie felt proud to have been given an important job. But how could she make her cousin feel welcome?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELottie went to find her father. He was sorting the laundry. \u2018Father, what can you do to make someone feel welcome?\u2019 she asked.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Well, you could find out something you have in common,\u2019 said Lottie\u2019s father. \u2018If you both have a favourite toy, or you both like the same game, then you could play together.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018That\u2019s a good idea,\u2019 said Lottie. \u2018I\u2019ll find out what Ingrid likes to do best.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EShe skipped off to find Elias, her older brother. He was fixing his bicycle.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Elias, what can you do to make someone feel welcome?\u2019 she asked.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018When my friend Dan started school, he didn\u2019t know anyone,\u2019 said Elias. \u2018His family had just moved to the area. I told him everyone\u2019s names to help him get to know our class.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018That\u2019s a good idea,\u2019 said Lottie. \u2018I\u2019ll tell Ingrid everyone\u2019s name when she arrives.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELottie\u2019s mother had driven to the airport to pick everyone up. It was a long drive, but they arrived just in time for tea.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELottie was very excited when she heard the car outside. She ran out, holding a nice drawing. She had made it for Ingrid, to make her feel welcome.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe two families said hello to each other, and Lottie gave Ingrid the picture. Then she told Ingrid the names of everyone in her family, including the cat and the dog!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEveryone went in to eat some tea together. Lottie sat next to Ingrid. She noticed Ingrid had a teddy with her, and she was feeding it a bit of her sandwich.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Do you like teddies?\u2019 Lottie asked Ingrid. Her cousin nodded.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018I like teddies too! Your teddy must be tired after that long journey. After tea, shall we go to my room and play with our teddies?\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIngrid nodded. \u2018I would like that,\u2019 she said. \u2018Thank you for making me feel welcome, Lottie.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jess Connett\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"A Very Welcome Visitor"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDelilah was a deer and had a young fawn called Finley. Delilah and Finley went everywhere together: to the park, to the doctors, and to the shops. But today, they were going to the food market.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe market was full of sights, sounds, smells \u2013 and lots of people. Finley had never been to the market before and was very excited to explore.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDelilah and Finley moved to the first stall, belonging to Pei Pei the panda. There were lots of foods that Finley had never seen before \u2013 all different shapes and colours. Pei Pei offered Finley a crispy golden parcel.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Would you like to try a spring roll? They are from my home in China.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinley took a long look at the spring roll. He slowly shook his head and said: \u2018I don\u2019t think I will like that. I don\u2019t have them at home.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinley turned away and moved to the next stall, which was covered in tiny biscuits. This stall was owned by Kai the kangaroo. Kai bounced over, and Finley asked what the biscuits were.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018These are Anzac wafers,\u2019 Kai explained. \u2018They are sweet crunchy biscuits that I learned to make from my mother in Australia. Would you like to try one?\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinley carefully looked at the Anzac wafers and slowly shook his head again. \u2018I don\u2019t think I will like them as I don\u2019t have them at home,\u2019 he said.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinley moved again to another stall, owned by a fluffy white poodle called Pascal. Before Finley could see what Pascal was selling, he had waggled over.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Bonjour, my little friend!\u2019 Pascal barked. \u2018Are you hungry? Please try my ratatouille, made from fresh vegetables! I learned to make this at my home in France.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinley was a little surprised and quickly said, before hurrying back to Delilah: \u2018I don\u2019t think I will like that as I don\u2019t have it at home.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinley found Delilah with bags full of food. Finley was very sad. He had gone to the food market and eaten nothing. He wanted to go home.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the evening, Delilah called Finley down for his dinner. When Finley came to the table he found all the people he had met at the market ready to eat dinner with him. Delilah had invited them so Finley could try all the new food at home.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinley slowly took a bite out of Pei Pei\u2019s spring roll. Then he nibbled one of Kai\u2019s Anzac wafers. Then he slurped a spoonful of Pascal\u2019s ratatouille. Finley paused, before looking up and smiling.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018I really liked that,\u2019 he said. \u2018Is there any more?\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Chris Allerton\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"The Deer and their trip to the Market"}]}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image behind","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECheck out your local library, or you can find a whole host of books and which libraries have them available at\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.worldcat.org/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022World Cat\u0022\u003EWorldCat\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere are some suggestions:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYou Can\u0027t Call an Elephant in an Emergency by Patricia Cleveland-Peck\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EStella and the Seagull by Georgina Stevens\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe bear\u0027s garden by Marcie Colleen\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe World Around Me by Charlotte Guillain\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Books to borrow","image":"/media/14819/squirrels_5colour_master_pattern10_rgb_blue-navy-pink-fern-yellow.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daab8e779f8660","imageFocus":"","imageId":28250,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"fullWidth","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Chr /\u003E\n\u003Ch3 id=\u0022explore outdoors\u0022\u003EAll Together Challenge Award\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis badge is all about working together, making choices and helping others\u003Cspan\u003E. \u003C/span\u003EBelow you\u0027ll find some short stories we\u2019ve written, and some suggestions of books you could borrow to use in your meetings.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"twoColumnWide","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMiguel, Manuel, and Maximus were three mice brothers who lived in a burrow under an acorn tree in the woods.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEach year they would make the journey to their family nest, where they grew up, to celebrate their mother\u2019s birthday.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe brothers would have a lot of fun on their journey \u2013 playing games and trying to prove who was bravest. Many of their woodland friends would chuckle when they saw the mice playing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo get to their family nest they had to sneak through the long grass, squeeze under the thorny berry bushes, and leap over five stones that crossed the splashing stream.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe mice brothers loved to show off how they could leap.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMiguel was strong and could jump over two stones at a time. But he would always ask for his brother\u2019s help with his first leap.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EManuel was light and good on his feet, and he could flip backwards onto each stone. His brother Miguel would always catch him on his last leap to the other side.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMaximus was small, and had never done any tricks to cross the stones. But this year he wanted to try.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMaximus closed his eyes as he approached the five stones. He jumped.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESeeing their brother with his eyes closed, Miguel and Manuel began to shout, directing him to the next stone. But Maximus refused to listen.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHe made the first jump, scratching the rock with his claws. He made the second jump, and the third. But on the fourth, he missed the stone and fell into the stream with a splash.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMaximus was swept downstream. The brothers knew that way led to a waterfall, which fell into a deep pond.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey ran along the bank, trying to reach him, but their hands and tails were too short for Maximus to grab.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe hedgehog family of Henry, Humbert and Harvey saw Maximus in the stream. They pushed in a stick, but the water was too fast and Maximus swept past them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESavannah and Stefan, the squirrels who lived in the acorn tree, saw Maximus in the water too. They tried to swing across the stream on a branch and grab him but he was too low in the water \u2013 they just couldn\u2019t reach.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMiguel and Manuel kept running. The waterfall was getting closer!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut Olga the owl had been flying high and had seen Maximus in trouble. With her strong wings, she flew down just as the little mouse tipped over the roaring waterfall. She swooped him up safely, and put him down on the bank.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe brothers hugged and thanked all their friends for helping rescue Maximus. They promised that next time they would learn to cross the stream together.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Chris Allerton\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"The Mice and the Stream Crossing"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESakura went into the kitchen to look for a snack. She stood on a stool to reach the top cupboard, where the cookies were kept in a big glass jar.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EShe gasped \u00AD\u2013 the jar was gone! Stolen! The kitchen was now the scene of a crime, and Sakura the detective was going to investigate.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EShe ran to her bedroom to get her magnifying glass. All good detectives have a magnifying glass, to look for clues.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen she looked through the magnifying glass, Sakura saw some crumbs on the shelf. Somebody had been eating cookies. She also found a short dark hair. Maybe the thief had left it behind!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENext, Sakura began to search the house. With a jar that big and heavy, the thief couldn\u2019t have got very far.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EShe looked behind the TV and under the sofa. All she found was an old toy the cat used to play with.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EShe ran upstairs and opened the door of her brother\u2019s room. She was so hasty she knocked over some of his toy soldiers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CSakura! You ruined my battle!\u201D said Mieko.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CA crime has been committed and I am investigating it!\u201D said Sakura, looking under his bed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere was nothing down there but an old sock. But Sakura did think as she was closing the door that Mieko had short dark hair.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe only place left to look was outside. Sakura zipped up her coat and went out. Dad was raking the leaves on the lawn. His hair was a sandy colour. It couldn\u2019t have been him.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESakura heard a car come up the driveway and ran to see.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMum was opening the car boot, getting something out. Her short dark hair was blowing in the cold wind.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201COkaa-san, where have you been?\u201D asked Sakura.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHer mother turned around. In her hands was the cookie jar!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CI went to buy more cookies,\u201D said Mum.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CBut the jar wasn\u2019t empty,\u201D said Sakura.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CI got hungry yesterday, after you were in bed,\u201D said Mum. \u201CThere were only a few left, and I knew you\u2019d want some today, so I went to get the whole jar refilled. Now you know where you get your love of cookies from, Sakura!\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CI thought there was a thief,\u201D said Sakura. \u201CI\u2019ve been investigating the crime.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CInvestigating crimes is hungry work,\u201D said Mum. \u201CLet\u2019s go inside and have a cookie.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jess Connett\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Sakura the Detective"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt was very dark in the woodland. The mice were snoring in their burrow. The squirrels were snoozing in their nest.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut one animal was shuffling and snuffling around in the leaves. It was Banji the badger.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBadgers are nocturnal. That means they are awake at night, and they sleep during the day.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs soon as it began to get dark, Banji had woken up. He\u2019d had a big stretch, and then he went to get some breakfast.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe moon was rising above the trees. It was playtime! Banji ran through the deepest, darkest part of the woods, looking for someone to play with.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHe was thinking about what fun he might have when he ran right into something furry.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Ahh!\u2019 said Banji.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Ahh!\u2019 said the furry thing. \u2018Who\u2019s there?\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018It\u2019s Banji the badger \u2013 I can see you now. Are you all right, Valerie?\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EValerie the vole shook her head. \u2018Oh gosh, Banji, I\u2019m really glad you\u2019re here. I\u2019m a long way from home, and I don\u2019t know which way to go. It\u2019s so dark! I can\u2019t see a thing!\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EValerie was not nocturnal. She did all her playing during the day and liked to go to sleep just as the sun was setting. Her eyes were used to the bright sunlight, not the thick forest.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Don\u2019t worry, Valerie,\u2019 said Banji. \u2018I know exactly where to go. I can see in the darkness, and I can get you home.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EValerie was so relieved. She felt very grateful to have a kind friend to guide her.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBanji and Valerie went back along the path. She held onto his fur so they would stay close together. He told her if they needed to climb over big logs or duck under low branches.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBefore long they were out of the deepest, darkest part of the wood.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe moon was bright and helped Valerie to see. She recognised the stepping stones in the river, and she knew she was almost home.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Oh, thank you, Banji!\u2019 said Valerie. \u2018I would have been stuck there until the morning without your help finding the way.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018You\u2019re welcome,\u2019 said Banji. \u2018I know you\u2019d do the same for me if I needed help.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jess Connett\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"A Nocturnal Adventure"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOne afternoon, Anya invited Gemma to go to the park. They walked over with Anya\u2019s mum and found a spot in the shade of a tall tree.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnya had started going to gymnastics classes. She was proud of all the new skills she had learned. Whenever she was out in the garden or in the park, she liked to practice. It takes a lot of practice to be a gymnast.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CThis flat grass is perfect for handstands,\u201D said Anya.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CI don\u2019t know how to do a handstand,\u201D said Gemma. \u201CCan you teach me?\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CDefinitely!\u201D said Anya. \u201CLet me show you how to do a handstand first.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnya lifted both her arms straight up. She pretended she was at the Olympics, with the crowd cheering for her.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EShe lifted one leg and pointed her toe. Then she stepped forwards, put her hands on the grass, and kicked both her legs high in the air.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnya was standing on her hands! She balanced for a few seconds. Then she kicked her legs down and stood back up the right way.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGemma clapped. \u201CWow! You\u2019re really good at handstands, Anya.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnya lifted her arms and saluted to the imaginary crowd again. She\u2019d won the gold medal!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENow it was Gemma\u2019s turn to try. Anya talked Gemma through every step of the handstand. Then they did it in slow motion, practising where Gemma should put her hands and when to kick.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnya was a very good teacher. She made sure Gemma understood what she had to do. That would keep her safe.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinally, it was time for Gemma to try it properly. \u201CI\u2019m a bit scared now,\u201D she said. \u201CWhat if I land on my head?\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CDon\u2019t be scared,\u201D said Anya. \u201CI\u2019ll catch your legs and hold you up. Try to tuck into a ball if you feel like you\u2019re falling.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGemma lifted her arms up high. She lifted her leg. She stepped forward, put her hands down, and kicked. Anya grabbed her legs.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CI\u0027m doing it!\u201D shouted Gemma.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnya pushed Gemma\u2019s legs back down to the floor. \u201CYou did your first handstand!\u201D said Anya. \u201CYou were really good. Let\u2019s keep practising together.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Jess Connett\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Gemma Learns a Skill"}]}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image behind","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECheck out your local library, or you can find a whole host of books and which libraries have them available at\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.worldcat.org/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022World Cat\u0022\u003EWorldCat\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere are some suggestions:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ETeamwork Isn\u0027t My Thing, and I Don\u0027t Like to Share! by Julia Cook\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe Perfect Sofa by Fifi Kuo\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe Bear who Shared by Catherine Rayner\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Books to borrow","image":"/media/14820/squirrels_5colour_master_pattern10_rgb_pink-red-bark-purple-navy.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daab8e754e6a70","imageFocus":"","imageId":28251,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"A library of stories and books to use as part of your Squirrels programme.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"16 July 2023","reviewDate":"23/01/2023","redirectUrl":"","id":50880,"nodeName":"Stories for Awards","title":"Stories for Awards","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Stories for Awards","headerSubTitle":"","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ca1a10","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Squirrels Award Badges","url":"/squirrels/awards/","newWindow":false}]},"subHeader":"A library of stories and books to use as part of your Squirrels programme.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC81MDg4MCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/running-a-squirrel-drey/programme-planning/reading-stories-with-squirrels/stories-for-awards/"}