¶ Granny's Gift and Lionel's Discontent
Hello there, and welcome to Albert's Bookshelf. I'm Albert's dad. Now Albert loves listening to a story. Would you like me to read one of his favourite books? Okay. Well, get yourself comfy, and I'll begin. A Scarf and a Half by Amanda Brandon illustrated by Catalina Aciveri. Now, if you do have this particular book, why not read along with us? If you don't, just sit back and use your imagination.
Granny Mutton loved to knit. Clickety click flicked her needles all day long. She knitted cozy shawls for baby lambs and woolly hats for chili rams' horns. socks for shivering sheepdogs. One day she made a dazzling red. Scarf for little Lionel's birthday and it grew and grew and grew. Stop, Granny, stop! Her friend said, That's not a scarf, that's a scarf and a half! So Granny Mutton cast off her final stitch.
Unrolled and wrapped the scarf. Then she tied it down with a bow and gave it to little Lionel with her love. Little Lionel was excited. He was sure that Granny's present was a football. He couldn't wait to play. He ripped open the paper, but it was a flippy, floppy scarf. You can't have a laugh with a scarf, he said crossly, but Granny Mutton couldn't hear because his voice was muffled in wool. Little Lionel went out in his scarf, but it was so long, he tripped and landed in a muddy pond.
He tried skipping with the scarf but his feet got and he toppled over. It's no use you can't have a laugh with a scarf, he said with a scowl and he tossed his present away.
¶ Friends Discover The Scarf's True Fun
His friend Bleeter saw him looking sad. He said, That's not a skull. He grabbed the two ends and tied them to the branch on the big farmyard tree. The two of them swung high and low until they were dizzy. Rocky the sheepdog came roaring past. He took one look and said, That's not a scarf, that's a scarf and a half. Hmm. He tied it to his cart and said, Hop in I'll take you for a ride. Back and forth he dragged the giggling pair until they told him.
Little Lionel started to cheer up and more friends came to see his amazing present. That's not a scarf, that's a scarf and a half! And they hauled and pulled this way and that in a crazy tug of walk. Granny Mutton's knitting stretched and stuffed. remained until it reached twice as long. Ping the laughing friends let go and landed in a higgledy piggledy piggle. Tired but happy, the friends snuggled down at Granny Mutton's house.
Not only have I got a scarf and a half, Lionel said, I have a granny and a half too. The end. I hope you've enjoyed another one of Albert's favourite books. If you have, why not hit follow wherever you get your podcasts and that way you'll never miss another new release. Of course you could always follow us on our socials at Albert's Bookshelf to keep up to date with all the news and new releases. And as always, thanks for watching.