Little Foot's Christmas Extravaganza 🎄🍝 Rewind Kids Story For Christmas

[00:00:09] Hello and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original children's bedtime stories and meditations designed to make bedtime a dream.

[00:00:21] I love the word extravaganza. It sounds very celebratory and happy and reminds me of our brilliant Hector and Sonny read-along book.

[00:00:33] If you haven't tried it out yet, perhaps ask an adult over the Christmas period if they can show you.

[00:00:39] You'll be able to follow the words with your finger as you listen.

[00:00:43] You can look at the pictures of Hector and Sonny on their adventure.

[00:00:46] And you can turn the pages and push the special sound effects buttons on each page. It's a lot of fun.

[00:00:54] We've made the link free for everyone until Christmas, so it's in the show notes to this episode.

[00:01:00] Before we begin, a quick message for the grown-ups.

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[00:01:20] If you loved the time-travelling antics of potato and beans in the wild, wild west, I've got a great new podcast for you.

[00:01:28] It's called Mysteries About True Histories, and it follows best friends Max and Molly on thrilling time-travelling quests.

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[00:01:52] Join in on the fun every Thursday to find out.

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[00:02:02] Hey parents, my name is Jessica Porter and I'm the host of Sleep Magic, the sleep hypnosis podcast.

[00:02:09] As a hypnotherapist, I've helped many parents tackle their sleep troubles.

[00:02:14] Whether it's letting go of bedtime worries or getting back to sleep after tiny bedroom intruders.

[00:02:21] I know finding peace amidst all that life brings can be tough.

[00:02:26] But since 2021, I've been delivering weekly episodes of solution-focused sleep hypnosis,

[00:02:33] which have now helped with over 5 million restless nights.

[00:02:37] Sleep Magic has proven to help you relax really deeply.

[00:02:41] Maybe more deeply than you have in years.

[00:02:45] With a mix of hypnosis techniques, meditations, and classic bedtime stories,

[00:02:50] each week there's brand new episodes to help you unwind and fall asleep effortlessly.

[00:02:56] You can find me and Sleep Magic on all major podcast platforms.

[00:03:01] Just search Sleep Magic and hit follow so that you can find it easily when you go to bed.

[00:03:08] Relaxation is truly closer than you think.

[00:03:11] I'll see you there.

[00:03:15] Back to tonight's extravaganza now though.

[00:03:19] Soon, we're joining Littlefoot the Yeti and Snowbell the Snowbear at Christmas time.

[00:03:24] Although, Littlefoot doesn't know it's Christmas time.

[00:03:28] He and his family have clean forgotten.

[00:03:32] Luckily, Snowbell comes over to give him a reminder.

[00:03:36] And the two of them head to the market to meet the elves and get Littlefoot's home ready for Christmas.

[00:03:42] So get cozy, snuggle up, and I'll begin Littlefoot's Christmas Extravaganza by Luke Prendergast.

[00:03:58] One cold and wintry morning, Littlefoot the Yeti sat at the mouth of the cave he and his family lived in,

[00:04:05] high up in the mountains.

[00:04:06] It was particularly chilly this morning.

[00:04:11] Overnight heavy snow had fallen, and now it lay thick and pristine over the mountainside,

[00:04:17] like a sparkling blanket of the deepest white laid over the whole landscape.

[00:04:24] Cold and beautiful.

[00:04:26] But even though it was chilly, Littlefoot didn't mind.

[00:04:30] He was made for this kind of weather.

[00:04:32] He had dense fur that kept him super warm no matter what.

[00:04:38] And he had built himself a little fire with glowing embers and a little wisp of smoke which he stoked with a stick.

[00:04:46] Every now and then he'd hold his hands to the fire and feel its warmth on his palms.

[00:04:54] Littlefoot was thinking about all of his favourite foods in the world.

[00:04:59] He was thinking about delicious pies filled with spinach and cheese, and croissants and pastries.

[00:05:09] He was thinking of fizzing sherbets and flying saucers and candy floss.

[00:05:15] But most of all, he was thinking about spaghetti.

[00:05:22] Mmm, spaghetti!

[00:05:25] How indescribably delicious!

[00:05:28] It had been so long since Littlefoot had last had some spaghetti.

[00:05:32] He hoped that he'd get to have some soon.

[00:05:36] In fact, Littlefoot was so absorbed thinking about all the foods he'd like to eat that he didn't even hear his best friend, a kind-hearted snow bear called Snowbell, arriving at the entrance of his cave.

[00:05:51] Until she cleared her throat.

[00:05:54] Mmm-mmm!

[00:05:56] And said,

[00:05:57] Um, hello, Littlefoot!

[00:06:01] Earth to Littlefoot!

[00:06:04] Wow!

[00:06:05] She said with a giggle once she'd got his attention.

[00:06:08] Where were you off to?

[00:06:10] It looked like you were having a super time off in some far away imaginary land.

[00:06:17] Oh, I was!

[00:06:19] Said Littlefoot with a grin.

[00:06:21] I was thinking about spaghetti.

[00:06:26] Snowbell laughed and shook her head.

[00:06:29] Her friend Littlefoot was always thinking about spaghetti.

[00:06:36] Littlefoot, she said, peering around his home.

[00:06:40] Where are all your decorations?

[00:06:45] Littlefoot simply stared at her, with a little frown of confusion on his face.

[00:06:52] Oh, Littlefoot!

[00:06:54] Snowbell said.

[00:06:57] Don't tell me you don't have any decorations.

[00:07:01] Don't you know what time of year it is?

[00:07:05] Littlefoot simply shook his head.

[00:07:09] It's Christmas time!

[00:07:13] Littlefoot tapped his head with his hand.

[00:07:16] How silly of him!

[00:07:18] How could he have forgotten?

[00:07:21] How could his whole family have forgotten that it was Christmas time?

[00:07:27] But thankfully, Snowbell was here to help him out.

[00:07:32] She told him that just down the mountainside, the elves were throwing a Christmas fete.

[00:07:38] There's all kinds of things to do there, she said.

[00:07:43] Christmas activities and other kinds of festive fun.

[00:07:47] And I'm sure we'll be able to find you some decorations at the market.

[00:07:54] And, she said with a little wink, I'm sure there'll be spaghetti too.

[00:08:01] Littlefoot's eyes lit up.

[00:08:03] So, what do you say? Snowbell asked him.

[00:08:08] Wanna go with me?

[00:08:10] Littlefoot jumped to his feet so quickly he disturbed a snowdrift that had been balancing on the roof,

[00:08:17] which promptly slipped off and landed on his head.

[00:08:21] Oh yes, he said, brushing the flakes of snow off his head and shoulders.

[00:08:27] I most definitely would.

[00:08:30] Littlefoot nipped inside to fetch a bright blue scarf, which he wrapped around his neck,

[00:08:36] and a handful of pocket money to spend on decorations at the market.

[00:08:42] He called goodbye to his family, and then he and Snowbell made their way down the snowy track,

[00:08:50] which led down to the market.

[00:08:52] As they went, they chatted merrily about all sorts of things, as best friends often do.

[00:09:00] Down the mountain they trod, with the whole of the valley spread out and sparkling before them,

[00:09:07] until, at last, around a bend in the path, they spotted the Christmas fate.

[00:09:16] It was a higgledy-piggledy bunch of wooden huts, with fairy lights twinkling over the roofs,

[00:09:23] and all sorts of delicious, sweet smells wafting through the air.

[00:09:29] In the middle of the cluster of huts rose a perfect Christmas tree,

[00:09:34] its branches dusted with snow, and a big, bright silver star perched on the top.

[00:09:44] As Littlefoot and Snowbell entered the market, they saw that at each stall stood a Christmas elf,

[00:09:52] dressed in red and green.

[00:09:54] Other elves walked to and fro, giving directions, or helping out visitors,

[00:10:00] or carrying boxes of gifts from one hut to another.

[00:10:06] One elf came up to Littlefoot and Snowbell.

[00:10:09] He was wearing a pointy red hat with a bell on the end, which jingled whenever he moved his head.

[00:10:17] Hello, said the elf.

[00:10:20] My name is Ralph, and I'm here to help you with whatever you need from our Christmas extravaganza this year.

[00:10:29] Littlefoot and Snowbell gave Ralph a wave, and introduced themselves.

[00:10:34] We're here to look for some decorations, Snowbell explained, among lots of other things.

[00:10:42] With a big smile and a jingle of his pointy hat, Ralph assured them that there were plenty of decorations available at the ornament store.

[00:10:51] But first, he told them, it was almost time for the sledging event.

[00:10:56] Or would you like to take part?

[00:10:59] He asked.

[00:11:01] Littlefoot and Snowbell exchanged a curious look.

[00:11:05] Could you tell us a little bit more about the event?

[00:11:10] Littlefoot asked.

[00:11:12] Ralph said he'd be delighted to.

[00:11:15] He pointed up the white hillside, to a point where they could see two large yellow flags,

[00:11:21] and lots of people gathering beneath them.

[00:11:25] It's kind of like a race, Ralph explained, except there are no winners and no losers.

[00:11:34] It's really just for fun.

[00:11:37] Well, there was nothing that Littlefoot and Snowbell liked more than fun,

[00:11:43] so they told Ralph they'd love to take part.

[00:11:46] The bell on his hat, ringing with every step, and Snow crunching beneath his feet,

[00:11:54] Ralph led them behind the market stalls and to a track that went up the hillside.

[00:12:00] As they approached where the sledge race would begin, they saw the other participants more clearly.

[00:12:07] A hare with pointy ears in a bright pink ski suit.

[00:12:11] A moose with tinsel wrapped all around her antlers.

[00:12:16] And a flamingo wearing black snow boots to keep his feet nice and toasty.

[00:12:23] Littlefoot and Snowbell said hello to them all, and they sent back friendly waves.

[00:12:29] First, Ralph led them to a long row of sledges to select which ones they will use.

[00:12:36] To Littlefoot, he gave a large wooden sledge.

[00:12:40] And for Snowbell, who was much smaller than her friend, he chose a purple one, sprinkled with lots of glitter.

[00:12:48] Oh, perfect, said Snowbell, looking happily upon her chosen sledge.

[00:12:54] A whistle blew across the hillside, and they turned to see another elf holding a black and white checkered flag and clenching a whistle between her teeth.

[00:13:05] She was obviously the organizer of the sledge race.

[00:13:10] The elf dropped the whistle from her teeth so it dangled from a string around her neck, and told everyone that the race was about to commence.

[00:13:22] Find your starting positions, please, she said.

[00:13:27] The participants lined up in a long line between the two starting flags.

[00:13:33] Both Littlefoot and Snowbell were beginning to feel little bubbles of excitement flutter through their chests.

[00:13:40] From up here, the slope looked steep, but not too steep.

[00:13:47] This was going to be a lot of fun.

[00:13:50] The hare zipped up his ski suit.

[00:13:54] The moose tossed her head in preparation.

[00:13:57] All of them took a deep breath and sat themselves on their sledges, making sure to keep their feet dug into the snow so they didn't shoot off too early.

[00:14:10] Have fun, Littlefoot whispered to Snowbell.

[00:14:16] The elf rose her checkered flag into the air.

[00:14:20] Are you ready?

[00:14:22] She called out.

[00:14:25] Three.

[00:14:26] Two.

[00:14:28] One.

[00:14:29] With a blow of a whistle, the flag fell.

[00:14:33] The race had begun.

[00:14:36] Whee!

[00:14:38] Littlefoot kicked off, but already the others had shot off in clouds of snow.

[00:14:44] Snowbell was just in front of him, bumping along down the hill and the hare was out in front.

[00:14:53] How exhilarating, thought Littlefoot.

[00:14:56] How thrilling to feel the wind in his fur and the sledge beneath him slipping and hopping over the drifts of snow.

[00:15:08] Faster and faster he went, picking up speed as he whooshed downhill.

[00:15:13] Snowbell.

[00:15:15] Snowbell was in line with the ski-suited hare now, shooting over the snow.

[00:15:21] But Littlefoot himself was gaining on them and all together they flew over the finish line.

[00:15:29] And whoosh!

[00:15:32] That was so much fun.

[00:15:35] When they'd all finished dusting the snow off them and lining their sledges back up in line, there was the sound of a bell ringing and Ralph the elf strolled up to them.

[00:15:49] He asked Littlefoot and Snowbell if they'd enjoyed their sledging.

[00:15:53] And they told him that they did.

[00:15:55] Very much indeed.

[00:15:59] Now, it's time for us to head to the market, said Snowbell, to look for those decorations.

[00:16:07] Oh, yes, of course, Ralph agreed.

[00:16:11] But first, and he put a finger in the air, I wondered if you'd like to come to our snow painting event.

[00:16:23] Snow painting?

[00:16:25] Snowbell repeated.

[00:16:27] She'd never heard of such a thing before.

[00:16:31] Luckily, Ralph was there ready to explain.

[00:16:35] Snow painting is just what it sounds like on the tin, he said.

[00:16:41] Big buckets of snow paint and oodles of snow, he added, gesturing all around them.

[00:16:49] Why don't you come and have a look?

[00:16:53] Littlefoot, for one, was very intrigued about this snow painting.

[00:16:59] Let's go and have a look, he said to Snowbell.

[00:17:02] And after that we can go and look for decorations.

[00:17:07] Snowbell agreed and the two friends followed Ralph down the hill.

[00:17:12] Crunch, crunch, crunch.

[00:17:16] Ralph led them around the market to a broad, flat meadow, covered with a perfect layer of fresh snow.

[00:17:24] Just like he told them, along the side of the meadow were a series of big pots of paint, red and yellow and green and blue, and every other colour you could ever imagine.

[00:17:40] Another elf appeared, this one in white overalls, stained all over with splodges of paint.

[00:17:48] Hello, she said.

[00:17:50] My name is Patch and I oversee this snow painting field here.

[00:17:56] Have you come to have a go at snow painting?

[00:18:00] Littlefoot and Snowbell nodded enthusiastically.

[00:18:03] Yes, they told her.

[00:18:05] That was exactly what they were there for.

[00:18:09] Patch the elf explained to them that snow painting was simple.

[00:18:15] All they had to do was dip their paws or hands, their flippers or feet, depending on whatever they found at the end of their arms, into the pots of paint and then set to work on the snow.

[00:18:30] The snow is like a blank canvas, she said with a big grin.

[00:18:36] And you are the artists.

[00:18:40] Okay then, off you go.

[00:18:42] The two friends approached the pots of paint, both of them contemplating deeply what it is they might paint.

[00:18:51] They stroked their chins and scratched their heads.

[00:18:56] And then Snowbell said,

[00:18:59] Aha!

[00:19:01] She dipped her paw into a paint pot, red first.

[00:19:05] Then she ran out onto the snow and drew her paint-covered paw in a wide arc over it.

[00:19:13] Then she ran back to the pots and dipped her paw into another one.

[00:19:18] Orange this time.

[00:19:20] And drew a broad arc of that on the snow.

[00:19:25] Back and forth she went, yellow, green, blue and finally purple.

[00:19:33] At last, when her painting was complete, she stood back and admired her handiwork.

[00:19:41] Oh cool, Snowbell, said Littlefoot, patting her on the back.

[00:19:48] A snow rainbow!

[00:19:50] That's awesome!

[00:19:54] Thank you, Littlefoot, she said.

[00:19:57] She had to agree, it did look awesome.

[00:20:01] Now, she said, what are you going to paint?

[00:20:07] While watching Snowbell paint her snow rainbow, Littlefoot had come up with an idea of what he was going to paint.

[00:20:15] So off he went to the pots of paints and dipped his big, furry, yeti hands in one by one, smearing the colours all over a fresh patch of snow.

[00:20:28] It didn't take him very long at all.

[00:20:31] And once he'd applied the finishing touches, Littlefoot stood back with his hands on his hips.

[00:20:39] Nice work, Littlefoot, Snowbell said.

[00:20:43] That's a pretty delicious looking plate of snow paint spaghetti, all covered in a tomato sauce and lots of cheese.

[00:20:56] Littlefoot thanked her.

[00:20:58] He was pretty proud of it.

[00:21:02] Those are two excellent snow paintings, Patch the elf said, nodding at them admiringly.

[00:21:10] You should do a few more.

[00:21:13] You're both naturals.

[00:21:15] So, Littlefoot and Snowbell tucked their hands and paws back into the snow paints and swiped them across the snow, until the meadow was covered with all kinds of pictures.

[00:21:32] Christmas trees and angels, fairies and birthday cakes.

[00:21:38] Finally, they did a portrait of each other, holding hands across the snow.

[00:21:45] When they were done, they thanked Patch profusely.

[00:21:50] That was great fun, they said.

[00:21:54] Now, said Snowbell, when they had crunched their way back over to Ralph, I think it's time we get to that market.

[00:22:03] We've got decorations to buy.

[00:22:06] We sure do, Littlefoot agreed.

[00:22:11] Perfect, Ralph said with a smile.

[00:22:15] Now's just the right time for the market.

[00:22:19] Ralph led them away from the meadow of snow and back into the market.

[00:22:25] When they reached the center of it, with the smell of cinnamon and spices and hot fruitcake drifting all around them,

[00:22:33] he pointed them in the direction of a certain stall, which bore a sign saying, Ornament Store.

[00:22:42] That's the one, he said.

[00:22:45] Good luck.

[00:22:47] The two friends went up to the ornament store and said hello to the elf who stood behind the counter.

[00:22:54] We're here for some decorations, they told him.

[00:22:58] Well, you've come to the right place, he said.

[00:23:03] Just have a browse and let me know what you'd like.

[00:23:09] Littlefoot and Snowbell wandered around the little wooden stall, which, much to their surprise, was packed full of every conceivable kind of decorations.

[00:23:20] They sifted their way through everything there was, and finally came back to the counter bearing armfuls of decorations.

[00:23:32] Oh yeah, said the store elf.

[00:23:35] You've done well.

[00:23:38] Well, they certainly had to agree with him.

[00:23:42] They were very pleased with their haul.

[00:23:45] They'd found reams of tinsel, some baubles to hang on a tree, and daisy chains of little elves holding hands to string up over the entrance.

[00:23:56] They'd also found a perfect wreath, woven with holly and ivy, and a blow-up reindeer with a bright red nose to put up outside.

[00:24:12] The store elf rang it all up on the till, then Littlefoot handed over a few coins.

[00:24:20] He thanked the elf, picked up the bags, full of everything they'd purchased, and together he and Snowbell left the ornament store.

[00:24:32] Well, Littlefoot said, that's us.

[00:24:36] I guess it's time for us to head back home and put these up.

[00:24:43] Hold up, Littlefoot, Snowbell said with a smile.

[00:24:48] Aren't you forgetting something?

[00:24:53] Littlefoot frowned.

[00:24:55] Am I?

[00:24:56] He said.

[00:24:58] What on earth could I be forgetting?

[00:25:02] Snowbell put her paw to her mouth and chuckled.

[00:25:07] My, my, she said.

[00:25:10] You are a forgetful yeti.

[00:25:13] Look.

[00:25:14] Look.

[00:25:14] And she pointed with her paw across the way to a store that Littlefoot hadn't spotted yet.

[00:25:23] Littlefoot's eyes opened wide.

[00:25:26] Oh, of course, he said.

[00:25:30] How could I forget?

[00:25:33] There, directly opposite them, was a wooden stall with steam rising out of the front of it.

[00:25:41] But it was the sign that had made Littlefoot so excited.

[00:25:48] Festive spaghetti, it said in big red letters.

[00:25:53] Want to go? Snowbell asked him with a twinkle in her eye.

[00:25:58] Of course, she already knew the answer.

[00:26:01] So the two pals, after their long day of sledging and snow painting and buying Christmas decorations, took their seats in the festive spaghetti store.

[00:26:15] And were delighted when an elf in a tall white chef's hat brought them two huge portions of festive spaghetti.

[00:26:26] Wow!

[00:26:28] They both sighed.

[00:26:30] The festive spaghetti certainly was a sight to behold.

[00:26:36] The wriggly strands of pasta were in every colour of the rainbow, just like the snow painting that Snowbell had produced earlier.

[00:26:46] And all the way through the pasta were delicious little sweets in all sorts of Christmassy shapes.

[00:26:56] Chocolate reindeers and iced holly berries, candy canes and miniature toffee Santa hats.

[00:27:07] Well, said the head chef elf.

[00:27:11] Don't just look at it.

[00:27:13] Go on, go on, have a taste.

[00:27:17] So they tucked their forks in and had a big mouthful of festive spaghetti.

[00:27:26] Ah, they both sighed, nodding at the elf.

[00:27:32] It's absolutely delicious.

[00:27:37] And so the two friends, Littlefoot the Yeti and Snowbell the Snowbear, enjoyed a well-deserved meal of festive spaghetti.

[00:27:49] And while they ate, they reminisced about the fabulous day they'd shared at the Christmas extravaganza.

[00:27:58] Let's go every year, Littlefoot said, and Snowbell agreed.

[00:28:05] Eat up though, Littlefoot, she added.

[00:28:09] We need to get back to your cave.

[00:28:12] We've got lots of decorations to get up before your family comes home.

[00:28:17] What a lovely idea, thought Littlefoot as he finished up his spaghetti.

[00:28:26] What a surprise that would be for his family when they got home.