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 on my way into the Club as Queenie called me earlier and asked if she could borrow my camera. She said something about a photoshoot that she’s doing with some sheep – which could seem puzzling to many people, but I’ve come to realize that it’s always best to expect the unexpected when it comes to Queenie. Well, I’ve arrived at the Club, so let’s head in and see what’s happening.

SOUND (Door)

Queenie: Okay … let’s try that one more time. Now, are you sure you’re okay at the back? …. Excellent….. Try to hold the pyramid structure for as long as you can, and stay on the shoulders of those beneath you…. Looking good everyone …. Okay, now let’s practice the smile too…. Wonderful, but let’s go for an even bigger smile …. That will do, Perfect! Okay, you can all climb down now. Be careful as you do it. You definitely have that one nailed.

Hi Queenie!

Queenie: Oh, hi Little Dazzy Donuts. I’m sorry – I didn’t hear you come in. We were just wrapping up the practice session for the photoshoot.

Photoshoots have practice sessions?

Queenie: I assume so. For sure, mine do. I feel like you just can’t take anything for granted, especially when you’re working with sheep. I think that’s why there’s the famous saying, “Two shakes of a lamb’s tail”.

Doesn’t that term mean that I’ll be somewhere quickly – as in, I’ll be there in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.

Queenie: Ummm … I don’t think so. I’m fairly sure it means that if you want the lamb to shake it correctly, then you need to ask the lamb to do it once as a practice, and then the lamb will get it right with the second shake. So, perfection comes with two shakes of a lamb’s tail. If you’ve ever spent any time around sheep, you’d know that to be the case. It always takes two shakes!! ….. Oh, did you bring your camera?

I did! Here it is.

Queenie: Thank you! This is exactly what we need. I was hoping to use Chicken’s camera, but she’s taken it with her. She’s visiting a local organic farm to learn more about irrigation, and she wanted to take some photos while she was there. So, I’m glad that we can borrow yours.

So what exactly are you photographing?

Queenie: Oh, you’ll love this. It’s so exciting. The sheep … you remember the sheep – you met them at the awards ceremony.

Oh yes – I remember. They escorted me up the stage each time I read a winning poem. I think they also left a large deposit somewhere near the back of the Club.

Queenie: Yes - that’s them. Well, they came to me with a wonderful idea for marketing the Autumns/Fall competition. And that wonderful idea requires that I take some photos of them. We need to take three photos in total.

Well, I’m intrigued. Now, would you like me to take them? I’ve taken a few photos in my time.

Queenie: Take the photos? You? Oh that’s so nice of you to offer, but I think I have this covered. Look, I have a tripod, a backdrop, and a wind machine … so I have all of the essentials covered. I was actually wondering if you’d be willing to play us some poems while I take the photos? I feel like it would give the whole scene a certain gravitas, and hopefully keep the sheep in a calm state of mind.

Of course I can. I actually have a few poems here that have been sent in for the Autumn/Fall competition on the topic of gratitude. They’d be perfect for the photoshoot. I’ll load them into the system now ready to play them.

Queenie: They sound ideal for sheep calming! Thank you! While you do that, I’ll get the first photo lined up. I think it’s best that we start with the easiest one – that’s the single sheep. Okay, now which one of the sheep wanted to be in the single photo shoot?

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: You? Oh, that’s wonderful. You’re name’s Shasta isn’t it?

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: Well, can you come over here please and stand in front of the backdrop? …. There you go. 

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: What’s your motivation? Ummm … that’s a good question. I know, think about the topic of the competition – it’s gratitude. So, think of something that you’re thankful for, and focus on that while I take the photo.

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: Grass? Yes – you can definitely think of grass … Gosh, who knew photoshoots were such hard work. Oh, can you also hold this sign? It’s really important that the sign is clearly visible in the photo. Okay, I think we’re ready …. Shasta is thinking of grass and holding the sign, I’m taking the photo, and Little Dazzy Donuts is playing a poem to keep everyone calm. Over to you, Little Dazzy Donuts!

Thanks, Queenie. Well, our first poem comes from Aditeya in India. It’s called My Father Is The Best, and it fits so well with our theme of Gratitude. Here, I’ll play the poem for you now.

North, South, East or West

My father is the Best

He never takes a rest, he is always on the move

On his favourite tune he loves to groove

He is the best buddy he is my best friend

We play together many games on weekends

I’m his little cute adorable boy

Papa, I love you , I say it with joy

My father will always care

And we make a nice pair

With this poem I like to share

Superhero without cape is my lovely FATHER .

A big THANK YOU to Aditeya for your poem. Your father sounds so wonderful, and I really like how you describe the two of you together as a nice pair, and what a great idea to see your father as a superhero without a cape. Thank you so much for writing your poem and sending it in.

Okay, Queenie … how’s it going with the photoshoot?

Queenie: It’s going great! The first photo is in the bag! Ummm …. I actually don’t have a bag …so, it’s not really in the bag, but metaphorically speaking, the first photo is in the bag!Okay, what’s next? Oh yes – it’s the four sheep photo.

Four sheep? So you’re taking a photograph of four sheep?

Queenie: That’s right. This makes the photo of one sheep look like a walk in the park, not that we’d go for a walk in the park with four sheep. Okay, so can you all come stand up by the backdrop? …. Wonderful … Now, remember what we did earlier – so you each get to hold two pieces of card. I’ll hand those out now … so, you get the card with the U on, and the card with the L on … and you get the E and F cards …. And you’re the A and T cards … and finally, you’re the R and G.

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: Now, please make sure that you’re holding your cards the right way up …. Excellent … Now, eyes to the front please …. And big sheepy smiles …. Now, say cheese ….

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: You don’t? Okay, so what do sheep say when their photo is taken? 

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: Baaaaa? Okay, let’s all say that then. So, on the count of three … one, two, three …. BAAA!!!!!

SOUND (Sheep)

Queenie: That was close, but a few of you had your eyes closed, so we’ll try again. Little Dazzy Donuts, do you have any more poems we could listen to while we do the four sheep photo?

I do, Queenie. This next poem comes from Amogh in the United States, and is called Our Teachers. We’ve received quite a few poems into the competition where kids have written about important people in their lives, and many of those have been about teachers. Here, let me ply it for you now:

You helped us overcome challenges

You have helped us throughout our whole journey

You have shown us the right path throughout the year

You may be leaving school but you will never leave our hearts

We will keep your lessons and correct our mistakes you told us

You have given us information that will last us a lifetime

You have made a significant contribution in our lives

Thank you for being our teacher!

Thank you Amogh for your wonderful poem. Your teacher sounds amazing, and I love how you’ve described the impact that teachers have on people not just today, but for the rest of their lives. Thank you so much for writing such a lovely poem, and for recording it so nicely.

Okay, Queenie. How’s it going with the sheep?

Queenie: Oh, it’s going peachy. Real peachy. The first two photos are done, so we’re just left with the most challenging photo of all – this is the eight sheep photo.

I can totally see why it’s a challenging photo to take.

Queenie: Normally, any photo with this many sheep would be done in their natural surroundings – you know, in a field. So, I’m pushing at the boundaries here. Fortunately, we practiced this one A LOT!!!! Okay, sheep … let’s get you all up to the backdrop …. So, we have four of you as the base of the pyramid …. There we go … now, you three get up on to their shoulders as the second row of sheep ….. okay, hold that position … and let’s lean the ladder up against you all so that Shasta can climb up to the top …. There you go. Okay, now, here are your cards …. You all get one apart from the Shasta who is all about the massive grin. So, you each get a card. Here’s yours … it’s a card with the letter A on it. Then you two get a P each … and you’re holding the R card … and then the three of you in row 2, you have the E, the C, and the I. Okay – try to hold that for as long as you can.

I tell you what Queenie. This is where a calming poem could come in really handy. You take that final photo, and I’ll play you two more poems. Up next is Akubueze from Nigeria with the poem “I Have Been Saying Thank You”. The phrase “Thank You” is one of the most common ways that we show our gratitude to someone else, and in her poem, Akubueze explores the different types of thank yous that exist. Here, let me play the poem to you now:

I have been saying thank you

But never said it gratefully

Saying it for it's a usual word

But realized the method of thank you

Should be done like it's the last time i say it

The method i said thank you after eating

Was a mistake because

Now the same taste is gone forever never to return

I saw the need to say thank you with all of my heart

Like it's the last time i say it

I have been saying thank you

Because everyone else did

And it's a casual thing to say

But soon i saw that my thank you

Should be a thank you that will moves mountains

For if it moves mountains it should move you

For the things i wear

Need a thank you found somewhere over the rainbow

Now the fashion's taste and style is gone forever never to return

It pained me for not saying that thank you

Found somewhere over the rainbow to you mum

I have been saying thank you

For it was always a thing to say when someone helps you

And everyone else did it, so did i

But immediately the help stopped coming in 2016

The thank you seized up for the reason to say it stopped

Now when boys and girls trouble me

I don't know what to do

For the one speaking on my behalf is gone forever never to return

It hurt for all the time she spoke on my behalf, i said thank you mum

But the thank you was from the mouth and not the heart

Don't know if it is too late

But everyone else including you said it's never too late to do anything

Distance is never a barrier

So where ever you may have journey to

Thank you and this time it is a thank you said like it's the last time i'm going to say it

Thank you and this is a thank you found somewhere over the rainbow

And thank you from the heart and not the mouth, which you alone understands

Thank you so much, Akubueze, for your very moving poem. I’m sure that it encourages people to reflect on how they thank others, and how they ensure that the thank you they give is meaningful and reflects the depth of their gratitude. Thank you for sharing your lovely poem, and for recording it so nicely.

Well, our final poem is from Alfie in England, and is called The Holiday. This poem certainly brings back memories for me. Here. Let me play it for you now ….

Toes in the sand

Sun is dancing in the water

Making new friends on the park

We went to the prettiest beaches ive ever seen !

I'm appreciative for my holiday.

Thank you, Alfie, for your wonderful poem. It sounds like you had an amazing time on your holiday. When I was a kid, I’d love going to the beach each Summer – I’d stay in a caravan near the front, and would love to walk along the beach and wade into the sea. Your poem brought back so many great memories. Thank you for writing it, and for recording it so nicely.

Well, Queenie, I’m afraid that was our final poem.

Queenie: Well, your timing is perfect as we’ve finished all of the photographs. These are going to look SOOOOO good in our marketing for the Autumn/Fall competition. Do you want to see them, Little Dazzy Donuts?

Absolutely. I must confess that I don’t fully understand the messaging of the three photos – and so don’t get why the sheep are holding signs.

Queenie: Don’t worry … it will all become apparent when you see the photos. Look, here’s the first photo.

Okay – so it’s a smiling happy sheep holding a sign that says THANK.

Queenie: Exactly. The photos are all related to the topic of the Autumn/Fall competition – and so Gratitude. Now, you have to remember that a female sheep is a Ewe … and so this first photo says THANK Ewe. It’s genuis.

I get it now. That’s certainly clever.  Now, what about the second photo.

Queenie: Well, we have four sheep … and they’re holding cards with the letters G, R, A, T, E, F, U, and L.

Okay. That spells grateful.

Queenie: And there are four sheep … and so this photo is saying grateful four ewe. Oh my gosh, this is so good!

So that leaves the photo with the eight sheep. Now they were holding the cards A, two Ps, an R, an E, a C, and an I. Ummm … that spells Appreci.

Queenie: Exactly …. Appreci eight ewe.

Well, I am so impressed, Queenie … and all of the sheep too. These photos will be really helpful in marketing the competition and encouraging people to send in their poems and art on the topic of gratitude.

Queenie: They will. I’m thinking of getting some greeting cards printed with the photos on them, so that people can give lovely sheep greeting cards to those they want to thank as well as to those they’re grateful for and appreciative of. Wouldn’t it be nice to receive a lovely sheep card that says that you’re appreciated?

It definitely would, Queenie. You’re on to a winning idea, there. It would be great to send those cards, and also to receive them.

Queenie: Well, I promised that I’d take the sheep around the garden – they haven’t see it since the pumpkins started to grow.

While you do that, I’ll thank everyone for joining us for the episode, and also thank our poets today Aditeya, Amogh, Akubueze, and Alfie. Also, I want remind you that you can enter your own poetry and art into the competition. Just check out kidspoetryclub.com for full details on the competition and how to enter. The competition is open until October 30th. One final reminder is that we’re back with a normal episode on Monday, with 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!!!

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