Koko & Friends' Sleepy BBQ 😴 🌭 Bedtime Stories For Kids | Rewind

[00:00:10] Hello and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original bedtime stories and sleep meditations for kids designed to make bedtime a dream. I love getting old-fashioned post and as it happens so do Kira and Koko. Yup, they're both waving at me now. So imagine their excitement when out of the blue a card drops onto their mat early one morning. I wonder what it says.

[00:00:38] Before we go and find out, jump into bed, relax your arms, your legs and your body. Have a little wriggle if that helps you to get extra comfy and pull up your covers as we travel into sleepy forest, down into a little wooden cabin. And who do we find? We find Kira in a very excited mood. She's just woken up early and discovered something absolutely extraordinary.

[00:01:05] A beautiful invitation just lying there, waiting on the doormat. She can't wait to get up and see what's inside the envelope. And quite frankly, neither can I. So this is Koko and Friends Sleepy Summer BBQ by Sarah Kate Howarth. Before we begin, here's a quick ad break. Then we'll start tonight's bedtime story.

[00:01:29] If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad-free listening and unlock all our premium stories, you can join the Koko Club. To join, follow the link in the show notes.

[00:02:07] Thanks for joining us. We'll be right back. Shopify's built-in AI assistant, Sidekick, can help you build, troubleshoot and keep moving. So that idea you keep dreaming of? Make it real. Bring it to life now at shopify.com slash moon. All you need is the idea. Shopify handles the rest.

[00:02:34] Start your free trial at shopify.com slash moon. That's shopify.com slash moon. Hey parents, just a quick reminder that our summer offer is ending soon. And Koko Summer Camp starts on July the 13th. Sign up before then so you don't miss out on all the fun from day one. Right now you can get 20% off a yearly Koko Club membership, which is our way of giving you the whole summer totally free.

[00:03:00] And with summer just getting started, there's never been a better time to join. You'll get access to Koko Summer Camp, where every week brings a brand new creative challenge inspired by the Koala Kingdom, exclusively for subscribers. Koko Summer Camp is all about creativity. From the very first idea to the final story, each week's activity builds on the last, helping listeners create something that's uniquely their own and giving them a chance to share it on the show.

[00:03:29] And when it's time to slow down, Koko Club is there too, with ad-free bedtime stories, exclusive adventures and sleep meditations. Helping fill summer days with imagination and end them with calm, familiar bedtime routines. But don't leave it too long. This special offer ends July the 13th. Join Koko Club today and make this your most magical summer yet.

[00:03:53] Tap to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or head to the link in our show notes for Spotify, Yoto and other players. It was a clear day in sleepy forest and morning dew drops clung to blades of grass, twinkling like diamond earrings.

[00:04:18] Syrupy sunbeams trickled in through the treetops, dripping down gently onto the forest floor in golden puddles. Inside their bedroom, Koko and Kira lay fast asleep, their chests rising and falling to the gentle sound of their snores. Downstairs, a lavender envelope shimmied its way in through the letterbox and landed gracefully on the hallway floor below.

[00:04:46] The handwriting on the front of the envelope was beautiful, all loops and twirls and flourishes in a deep indigo ink. Back up in the cosy bedroom, Kira's eyelids began to twitch. She had been enjoying the most gorgeous dream, in which she was cruising through the sky at sunset, on the wings of a baby dragon.

[00:05:13] But the threads of the dream began to unravel as Kira started to stir, her nose twitching softly under the covers. Her little mouth widened into an enormous yawn, and she wriggled about between her sheets, stretching out luxuriously from her tippy toes to her fingertips.

[00:05:38] The covers fell away as she sat up in bed, drawing her knees into her chest and smiling as she gazed out of the window. Another sunny day in sleepy forest. It was the last few days of the summer holidays. Soon, Koko would be back at school, and so Kira wanted to make the most of every minute while she still had her brother by her side.

[00:06:03] She stole a glance at Koko, who was still sleeping soundly, his chest rising and falling like clockwork. She thought about wriggling into bed beside him. It was lovely to start the day with a cuddle after all. But Kira knew she was far too awake to lie still. She'd be twitching about and bothering him before too long, and Koko didn't like to be disturbed so early in the morning.

[00:06:33] She sighed. If only she had a good reason to wake him up. Something urgent to tell him that couldn't wait. There's no use sitting here all restless, she murmured to herself. I'd better distract myself. She drummed on her knees with her paws. I know, she smiled brightly.

[00:06:59] I'll go down to the kitchen and pour myself a glass of milk. Kira loved to go downstairs first while everyone else was sleeping, and sit at the breakfast counter with a cold glass of milk, swinging her legs from the high stool. It made her feel awfully grown up to have the kitchen all to herself. And so, she padded down the staircase softly,

[00:07:26] careful not to stand on any creaky floorboards that might make a sudden noise and wake the others up. As she crept down the last few stairs, her eyes darted over to the hallway and alighted on the lavender envelope that sat proudly underneath the bronze letterbox. She blinked. It wasn't anybody's birthday, after all.

[00:07:51] What business did such a beautiful envelope have sitting in their hallway on a regular Friday morning? Forgetting all about her solitary glass of milk, Kira rushed over to get a closer look, picking the envelope up in her paws and turning it over in wonder. Her breath caught in her throat. It was addressed to her. Kira couldn't believe it.

[00:08:21] She'd never received post before. She looked again at the elegant writing, looping and winding its way across the lavender paper in a most majestic manner. To Coco and Kira, she breathed, reading the words aloud in the silent hallway. How thrilling! Their very own piece of mail!

[00:08:47] But her nose wrinkled, and her brow began to pucker in curiosity. Who on earth could it be from? Kira traced the seal with her paw, itching to open it and find out. But she couldn't. Not without Coco. Not when his name was written right next to hers, in the same indigo ink. Kira gripped onto the envelope and turned on her heel,

[00:09:17] racing up the stairs two at a time, sending a cacophony of creaks reverberating through the household. She dashed into their bedroom and jumped up onto her brother's bed, pulling aside the bedsheets until the siblings were face to face. Kira? Coco's eyes were full of alarm. What on earth is going on? I was in the middle of such a wonderful dream,

[00:09:45] about a magic flowerpot that made anything planted in it grow a thousand feet tall. Who should have seen the sunflowers, Kira? Tall as skyscrapers. Coco wiped the sleep from his eyes, and tried to disentangle himself from his sister's clumsy limbs. Why did you have to jump on my bed and startle me like that?

[00:10:10] Coco pouted, a little grumpy from having his dream interrupted. Kira thrust the lavender envelope under her brother's nose. I had to show you, she explained. Look what came for us. Look! Coco's mouth fell open. It was the most beautiful envelope addressed to none other than themselves.

[00:10:37] But it's not either of our birthdays, stuttered Coco. I know, breathed Kira. Gosh, Kira, I'm so sorry for not understanding. You were right to come and wake me straight away. This is totally unexpected. Who do you think it's from? A daring dimple appeared in Kira's left cheek. Let's find out, Coco, she proposed,

[00:11:07] wriggling in beside him, propped up by his soft, feathery pillow. Coco and Kira held their breath, as Coco's paw slipped under the seal and tore open the envelope. Here, Kira, he held out the envelope generously. You do the honors. You found it, after all.

[00:11:32] Kira's heart skipped a beat as she pulled a dazzling invitation out of the lavender folds. It was midnight blue, with sparkling silver writing. Read it out, Coco, she urged, passing it over to her big brother. Coco cleared his throat. Dear Coco and Kira,

[00:11:57] you are cordially invited to Daphne the Duckling's end of summer barbecue. Please come to Elderflower Cottage at 3pm on Friday. This year's theme is Wildflower Meadow. Bring your favourite floral outfit and something delicious to add to the barbecue spread. Can't wait to see you. With love from Daphne the Duckling.

[00:12:28] Coco and Kira couldn't believe their luck. They'd heard the children of Sleepy Forest talk about Daphne's parties before, but they'd never attended one themselves. They were meant to be completely magical. What will we wear? Breathed Kira. Her imagination dancing with wildflower garlands, swathes of wisteria, and billows of ivy.

[00:12:58] What will we bring? Coco wondered, his mind conjuring images of sizzling sausages, crunchy salads, and homemade lemonade. The siblings paused, and Kira cocked her head to the side. Wait a minute, Coco, she began, gazing back down at the invitation that lay on Coco's wrinkled bedsheets. Isn't today Friday?

[00:13:28] Coco blinked. Kira was right. Today was Friday, which meant that Daphne the Duckling's end of summer barbecue was that very afternoon. The siblings gazed at one another delightedly. What a wonderfully unexpected surprise. It would be so lovely to see all their friends and hear about everyone's summer holidays. Coco sprang out of bed

[00:13:57] and pulled Kira up by her paws. Come on, sis, he chirped. We'd better go and wake up mum and dad and tell them our news. Kira and Coco's parents were a little peeved to be woken from their dreamy slumber, but any trace of annoyance vanished as soon as they saw the look of glee on their children's faces. The kids were utterly delighted

[00:14:27] at the fabulous invitation that had dropped onto their doorstep that morning and they just couldn't wait to start preparing for the special event. As they made their way downstairs to the kitchen, Kira hung on to her mother's paw, babbling away eagerly. You see, mum, it says on our invitation that the theme is Wildflower Meadow. What do you think that means? Her mother chuckled.

[00:14:58] That sounds like a very Daphne theme, she smiled. Despite being a tiny little duckling, Daphne was always so eager to be thought of as a glamorous grown-up, which explained the embossed invitations in their lavender envelopes. Yes, but what should I wear? asked Kira persistently.

[00:15:25] You can wear whatever you want, darling, smiled her mother as she flicked on the kettle for her morning pot of tea. What about your new T-shirt? Kira looked at her mother in indignation I can't wear that, she protested. It isn't flowery at all. Coco read me out the invitation and it pacifically says

[00:15:54] to wear a floral outfit. I think you mean specifically, darling, her mother said, hiding a smile beneath her paw. But very well, I have lots of flowery fabric left over from the village fate. Why don't we experiment with that and make something special for you both to wear? Kira's mouth stretched out

[00:16:22] into an overjoyed grin. There was nothing she loved more than playing dress-up in her mother's brilliant collection of precious fabrics stowed deep within her sewing cupboard. Yes, please, mum, she piped. Coco climbed up to the kitchen table and rested his chin on his paws thoughtfully. What's up, Coco? Kira nestled in beside her brother

[00:16:51] and chomped down on a triangle of toast. We'll make sure there's something marvellous for you to wear, too. Don't worry. Oh, it's not that, Kira. I'm just thinking about what we will take. Take? Coco's mother looked up from her morning newspaper. Yes. Coco slid the invitation over the tabletop, narrowly avoiding a sticky trail of strawberry jam.

[00:17:21] You see, it says here, bring your favourite floral outfit and something delicious to add to the barbecue spread. So, we absolutely must take something with us to share. Their mother pulled down the hardback recipe book that lived up on the top shelf and was full of their favourite family recipes. Coco and Kira always knew that when their mum reached for that book,

[00:17:51] their tummies were in for a real treat. Shall we have a flick through and decide what to make? Their mum proposed. Coco and Kira's eyes sparkled with expectation and they leant eagerly over the tabletop to scan the pages of the book. Yes, please, they chorused as their eyes fell upon the beautifully illustrated pages of the cookbook.

[00:18:20] The recipes looked so delicious and the drawings were so detailed it was as if you could already taste each recipe on the tip of your tongue. Coco and Kira's mum gently flicked through the book, stopping on heavily thumbed pages that were firm family favourites. Apple and cinnamon crumble, she announced. You used to love

[00:18:50] that one, Coco, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Coco sighed, his tongue tingling with the sweet taste of stewed apples and caramelised cinnamon and the cool sensation of creamy vanilla melting in his mouth. Oh, it would be delicious, he agreed, but it doesn't feel all that summery to me.

[00:19:19] It is a summer barbecue after all. His mother nodded. You're right, darling. Apple pie is perfect for a cosy wintry evening when the wind is whistling outside and the rain is lashing down on the roof tiles overhead, but not for a sunny summer's day like today. Keira's paw reached out keenly

[00:19:47] and flicked forwards to the next recipe, where a beautiful collection of burnt orange, terracotta and paprika hues filled the page. Her eyes widened as her tummy gave a soft little rumble. Pumpkin pie, she breathed. My favourite. Coco and Keira's mum smiled in amusement.

[00:20:17] It's certainly a lovely recipe, Keira, but hadn't we better wait for Thanksgiving to make that one? Keira giggled. I guess so. It would be a little funny to take a pumpkin pie to a summer barbecue after all. They continued to flick through the pages, lighting on chicken casserole, eucalyptus stew, vegetable broth and spaghetti bolognese.

[00:20:47] They were all mouth-watering options, but none of them felt quite right. Coco turned to the very last page of the recipe book. Summertime fruit salad, he read, his voice quivering with promise. perfect for a summer barbecue with friends. He gazed up at his mum and Keira in amazement.

[00:21:18] Breathed Keira, her fingers tracing the beautiful illustration inked onto the page. That's the most perfect thing to take. Daphne will be so pleased. Coco and Keira's mother nodded in approval. All right, darlings, then it's settled. First, let's wash our hands and then let's get chopping some fruit.

[00:21:47] After an enormous amount of peeling, chopping, dicing and slicing, Coco and Keira began assembling their fruit salad, with a little help from their mother, of course. First, Keira poured a punnet of grapes into the cavernous serving bowl, each one chopped in half and glistening a deep purply red. Good job, Keira, encouraged Coco,

[00:22:17] tipping apricot quarters into the mix, followed by vibrant slices of kiwi, so that lime green and warm yellow shone alongside the deep flashes of amethyst. Next, Keira tipped in some golden pineapple rings, along with crisp chunks of ruby red watermelon. Their fruit salad was really beginning to take shape. In went the pieces of crunchy apple

[00:22:46] and slices of delicate pear, the slivers of strawberry and the hunks of papaya, the snippets of banana, shavings of coconut and fragments of nectarine, until the bowl was full to the brim with a kaleidoscope of colours. And now for the finishing touch, their mother carefully poured in the helping of exotic fruit juice,

[00:23:16] soaking the pieces of fruit so that they bobbed to the surface. Keira and Coco stood back, beaming with pride. Their fruit salad looked exactly like the one in the recipe book. They couldn't wait to show their friends what they'd made. Now, said their mother, clearing away the leftover fruit peel into the compost, let's pop this in the fridge

[00:23:45] to keep it nice and fresh and clean up a little. Then we can have a play around with some fabric for your costumes. Coco and Keira washed the sticky fruit juice off their hands, sliding the soapy suds up and down their wrists and in between their fingers. This day was shaping up to be sensational. After a lot of trial and error and

[00:24:15] many rolls of fabrics tossed aside onto the living room floor, Coco and Keira finally found the perfect material. The cloth they chose was a deep emerald green embroidered with the most amazing assortment of wildflowers. Dahlia, daisies, poppies, primroses, sunflowers and snowdrops. Coco and Keira's mum got out her sewing kit

[00:24:44] and set to work. Luckily, she was a skilful and swift seamstress and in less than an hour had managed to whip up two incredible outfits. A dungaree set for Coco with a matching baseball cap and a little smock dress for Keira with an Alice band to match. The two siblings wriggled into their new outfits and regarded one another in wonder. Keira,

[00:25:14] you look amazing, Coco breathed, his paw reaching out to trace the dainty wildflowers that trailed across her dress in kingfisher blue, cornflower yellow and warm coral. So do you, Coco, his little sister smiled back at him proudly. That baseball cap is super cool. They each grabbed a hold of their mother

[00:25:44] and hugged her tightly. Thanks, mum, they sang in unison, squeezing into her sides with gratitude. You're the best. Coco and Keira's mum smiled. They both looked adorable in their wildflower outfits. And now, what with their fruit salad sitting waiting in the fridge and their costumes on, they were all set

[00:26:12] for Daphne's summer barbecue. You're very welcome, darlings, she replied. Now, let's clear away all this mess. Before we know it, it'll be time to get going. Coco and Keira eagerly began to scoop the billows and flounces of fabric up from the floor and stow them away neatly into their mum's sewing cupboard. They weren't normally quite

[00:26:42] this eager to tidy up, truth be told, but today was different. They had a barbecue to attend, after all. At three o'clock sharp, Coco and Keira stood expectantly on the doorstep of Elder Flower Cottage, their mother just behind them, carefully cradling the fruit salad in her paws so that it didn't spill. Before they'd even had a chance to ring the doorbell,

[00:27:12] the door flew open and Daphne pulled them both into a giddy embrace. You both look amazing, she quacked. I love your outfits. Where on earth did you find them? Our mum made them, Coco replied proudly. Wow! Daphne was seriously impressed. Are you a famous fashion designer? She asked their mum, blinking up in awe.

[00:27:41] Coco and Kira's mum laughed, passing the fruit salad over to Daphne's big brother, who set it down on the overladen buffet table on the patio. Not really, dear, she chuckled. Goodness me, look at all this wonderful food. Coco and Kira gazed at the spread. There were hot dogs and burgers, onion rings and fresh salads, crunchy carrot sticks

[00:28:11] and soft bread rolls, vegetable skewers, brimming bowls of couscous and giant baked potatoes. It was a veritable feast. I'm glad you two bought dessert, Daphne enthused, peering into the colourful bowl and licking her lips. Fruit salad is my favourite. She gave them a twirl, showing off an extravagant

[00:28:41] flowery tutu, a garland of ivy twisted into her feathers. Isn't my costume super? She sang out, skipping from side to side so that the skirt of the tutu bounced and bobbed theatrically. Daphne didn't wait for them to answer. She danced off down the garden to mingle with the other guests. Come, join, she called from far away, her voice getting lost amidst merry music

[00:29:11] as Daphne's father strummed on a guitar over in the shade. Coco and Kira gave their mother a hug and she straightened their costumes with a swift nod of approval. Have a wonderful time, she said, stroking their brows. I'll see you later, okay? Kira gave her mum one last squeeze before snuggling shyly

[00:29:41] into her brother's side. She loved to attend parties with him, but she always felt a little nervous at first. Everyone seemed so very grown up compared to her. Coco looked out into the garden, which was bathed in dappled sunlight. It was a truly wonderful party. Colourful bunting had been hung from the branches of the elderflower tree,

[00:30:10] and balloons bounced festively on the soft grass beneath. His classmates sat cross-legged on the lawn in little clusters, enjoying beakers of homemade lemonade. There was Prickles, Hankhammo, and Eleonora. He grabbed Kira's paw and called out to his friends eagerly. Hey! Prickles, the hedgehog, looked up, and his face

[00:30:40] broke into an elated grin. Coco! It felt brilliant to see his best friend again after the long summer holidays. He shuffled over, making room for Kira and Coco to join their little circle. Come, sit! Coco and Kira settled down into the soft grass, the wild flowers on their outfits blending in with the buttercups

[00:31:09] and dandelions that sprouted from the ground beside them. Eleonora smiled over at them delightedly. You guys look amazing, she breathed. Nice outfits. Coco and Kira's faces flushed with pride. They were happy, their friends liked their outfits as much as they did. Time to eat,

[00:31:39] called out Daphne, flitting past them like a dragonfly as she raced towards the buffet table. After eating their fill of delicious food, Coco and Kira both went back for seconds and Coco even managed a third helping. They nestled into the soft grass, their tummies full to the brim from the heavenly feast.

[00:32:08] That was a yummy, scrummy barbecue, Daphne, Coco smiled. I'm glad you enjoyed it, replied Daphne. Thanks for bringing along such tasty treats, everyone. That potato salad was amazing. Eleonora blushed happily. That had been her contribution. As the children lazed in the long grass,

[00:32:38] sipping on lemonade and swapping stories from the long summer vacation, Daphne's dad continued to strum on his guitar. And lazy summer melodies filled the garden. The air came alive with the sweetest birdsong, as blue tits and swallows piped along to the lilting guitar. A soft summer breeze wove its way through

[00:33:08] the leaves overhead, wafting the sweet scent of elderflower down towards the lawn. I love summer holidays, sighed Prickles, sprawling out on the grass, feeling totally content. Me too, murmured Coco, his eyes beginning to droop under the hazy glow of the afternoon

[00:33:38] sun. The holidays are fun, Eleanor agreed through a delicate yawn, but I am looking forward to the new school term too. As their eyes blinked shut, the classmates dreamt of the open school gate and the kindly voice of Mrs. Merryfeathers welcoming them

[00:34:07] into the playground. how lucky they were with a brand new school term just around the corner, full of new things to learn and stories yet to unfold. Meanwhile, the sun shone overhead in sleepy forest and the children sailed away into a sleepy summertime

[00:34:36] slumber.