Amelia Shipley
Amelia heard about the competition from her local Primary Times magazine. She loves to write and read and even sleeps with her book under pillow. She is also a member of a local book club. Amelia's other interests include swimming, gymnastics and playing the recorder.
Duck & Hippo Go To Bed
Duck and Hippo were good friends
Their friendship would never end.
They loved each other,oh so much
They were friends that were always in touch.
Night night
Snuggle tight
It's time to turn off the light
'It is time to eat your tea,
So hurry up and eat with me
It is time to go to bed
So hurry up' Duck said
Night night
Snuggle tight
It's time to turn off the light
They climbed the stairs one by one
This was the end of their day of fun
Hippo said 'there's still things to be done,
Everyone's going to bed, even the sun!'
Night night
Snuggle tight
It's time to turn off the light
Hippo said 'All toys must go back in the box
Starting with Teddy, Dolly and baby fox,
Now the room is nice and clean
And no toys can be seen'
Night night
Snuggle tight
It's time to turn off the light
Duck said 'let's hop into our pyjamas
On mine I've got yellow bananas,'
'I've got strawberries that are red'
Said Hippo, pulling it over his head.
Night night
Snuggle tight
It's time to turn off the light
Hear the toothbrush go brush!
Make them sparkle and clean
Brush, brush, no need to rush
Let those white teeth be seen!
Night night
Snuggle tight
It's time to turn off the light
Now's the time to go to bed
It's a perfect place to rest your head
It's warm, snuggly and a perfect place
As long as Hippo makes some space!
Night night
Snuggle tight
It's time to turn off the light
They hug each other to end the day
It is time to dream away
Hippo sang a lullaby
As Duck looks out to the sky
Only stars are in sight
Goodnight, goodnight!
Beverley Luu
Beverley heard about the competition through her creative writing teacher at school. Her hobbies are reading, mainly Agatha Christie, and drawing. She also likes playing Super Mario as she is currently learning about computer animation.
Squashed Flat
Let me introduce Hippo and Duck, the silliest pair around! Hippo is kind but a tad clumsy, and Duck is caring and thoughtful.
As it happens, I was visiting Duck about Hippo's birthday. When I knocked on the door, Duck answered.
"Hello Cat!" he said. "Why are you here?"
I glanced at Hippo, then at the calendar. A while later, a knowing gleam came to Duck's eyes. We spoke in hushed whispers.
"It's Hippo's birthday tomorrow, and I have a plan…"
The next day…
In the kitchen, pots and pans clattered noisily as voices rang out.
"You ate the last egg!"
"I didn't!"
Eventually, we all heaved a sigh of relief. It was done! It gleamed, smiling up at us.
A near row of icing lined the edge, shining in the sunlight.
When Hippo clattered down the stairs, Duck heaved the massive cake towards the table. Exhausted, he sat on a chair. Carefully, he set the cake down, looking for all the world like a fat white cushion. Hippo walked across, and to my horror, sat down.
Squelch.
Time seemed to slow, showing all too cruelly how our hard work had been demolished. Hippo stood up and saw the words Happy Birthday nd his face crumpled.
"What have I done?" he sobbed.
"Never fear!" shouted Duck above the din. "That was the spare cake I bought yesterday- in case you were still hungry!"
We all breathed a sign of relief. Hippo stood up, and stared at his messy hindquarters.
"I suppose I'd better have a bath." He grimaced.
The party was a huge success and everybody gorged themselves with the cake.
Balloons bobbed on the ceiling and streamers showered above everyone's heads.
"This is the best birthday ever!" smiled Hippo.
"Definitely!" replied Duck, bursting with pride.
Daniel Taylor
Daniel heard about the competition from his schoolteacher who heard Jeremy Strong's interview about Book at Bedtime on this local radio station. His interests include reading, creative writing, playing rugby for his local team Cowbridge and swimming for his local club Barry Amateur Swimming.
Hippo & Duck Bounce to Australia
Hi, my name's Dan and I'm 11 and I live in South Wales where I've some fab friends. Two of them - Hippo and Duck are absolutely mad. The other day I went to their house to ask if they wanted to play football but they said no because they were making a tower of sandwiches! I mean why make a tower of sandwiches?
I thought nothing could surprise me after that but just yesterday I found them bouncing on their massive bed.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"We're bouncing on our magic bed so we can go on holiday."
"What magic bed, what holiday?"
"Yes we're bouncing our way to the land of bouncing. Come and join in the adventure!'
'Ugh? What are you on about?' I said.
'Just hop on!' said Duck. "We've just got to activate it by bouncing on it 100 times."
"Oh right and you want my help?"
"Yes please! Come on! 97, 98, 99 and 100! Geronimo! Australia!" screamed Duck.
'Australia!' I screeched.
We rolled off the bed and a kangaroo suddenly flashed past us.
" G'day friends,' kangaroo shrieked. 'C'mon see the sights.'
'Yippee,' we shouted.
'This is Ayers rock. Let's go to the top to see the Great Australian desert. Later I've arranged for you to meet the natives.'
'Aborigines?' I uttered in amazement.
'Clever kid, Pommy,' laughed kangaroo.
After climbing Ayers we were greeted at the bottom by Aborigines who provided us with a delicious wombat stew, singing and dancing.
The sun setting behind Ayers rock meant it was time to go. To return home we held hands and said 'thgintnelis', the name of Hippo and Duck's bed, backwards!
I had had an brilliant day which was all thanks to my good friends `Hippo and Duck and their amazing bed!
Hayley Longton
Hayley heard about the competition online. She loves writing poems and stories as well as gymnastics, ballet and reading.
Hippo & Duck Visit The Queen
One lovely, sunny day Duck and Hippo were eating a bowl of clusterz, literally eating the bowl, when a formal looking letter slipped through the shiny door.
Suddenly there was an outburst from the kitchen as they both clamoured to open the letter. In the end Hippo won and Duck ended up flat as a pancake! He tore open the envelope and pulled out a small piece of paper.
"Dear Hippo and Duck," read Hippo in his deep but friendly voice "You have the pleasure of joining her highness the queen of England for dinner, a limo will be sent to collect you at 11.00"
The two clumsy animals peered out of the red windows and waiting there was a sparkling limo. They smashed the glass of their multi-coloured house and, before you could say quick as a flash, were inside the jet black, stretch limo.
Hours later they arrived at the humongous, regal palace. The pair stumbled out of the fancy car and dashed, as fast as an overweight hippo could, into the gigantic building.
A man dressed in an expensive suit greeted them and lead them to yet another enormous room where an old woman in a puffy dress was sat, the queen.
"Wow, you know you look miles better on TV!" announced Duck stupidly.
"Duck! I beg to differ; I would say she looks ancient anyway!" Replied Hippo
The queen was bubbling with anger, her face turned beetroot red, she stood up clenching her fists. SPLAT! She flung the cream filled cake at Hippo and poured hot tea all over Duck.
"How very dare you! You are a disgrace to look at. Guards take them away!" cried the shrill voiced lady.
Two men dragged them across the floor and threw them out. Hippo and Duck!
Jemima Gravill
Jemima heard about the competition on her local radio station. She loves to read and write, her favourite authors being J.K Rowling and Cathy Cassidy. Jemima also enjoys netball, swimming and being a Girl Guide.
The Circus
One misty spring morning, Hippo and Duck were looking for a job.
"Duck, can't we just give up and come back tomorrow?" Moaned Hippo.
"NO! We have to find a job today or they’ll be gone!" snapped Duck.
Then they saw a poster and walked over to it.
It read: WE NEED ANIMALS FOR A CIRCUS. £100 0000 per day.
“Oh, Duck please can we do that job?” exclaimed Hippo. Duck smiled and then nodded her feathery, yellow head.
"Yes! Lets go and ask now!"
The two friends hurried up clover hill, went past the posh cinema and the pastel pink sweet shop to the circus. Outside the tent were green, blue and purple flags that were all swaying in the breeze. Inside there was a glossy, red stage and multi-coloured seats around it.
Suddenly, there was a bright puff of glitter! They saw the Ringmaster. He was wearing a jet black top hat with a canary yellow tailcoat and a pair of matching yellow boots. "WOW!” Gasped Duck.
"Welcome to my magical circus! Have you come for the job?”
"Yes” laughed Duck.
“For the job you must do the tightrope walk!" whispered Ringmaster. "You must walk along that 20 meter high tightrope!"
They both walked over to a tall ladder that went to the start. Duck crossed and got to the other side. Hippo was terrified.
"Don't look down!" called Duck.
This made Hippo peek out of the corner of his beady black eye. There were crocodiles underneath him, snapping their powerful jaws! Hippo fell! Hippo pushed himself up with all of his might and he managed to scramble back up and finish.
“You have the job! Now get rid of the crocodiles!”
Hippo and Duck began to repeat a spell that was written on a piece of parchment. "Scorclivefodirteg!" they shouted.
The crocodiles transformed into clownfish.
"Clownfish are perfect for a circus!" giggled Hippo.
Duck asked "What’s scorclivefodirteg mean?"
"Why, it’s get rid of evil crocs backwards." replied the Ringmaster.
Later hippo and duck did their tightrope walk and it all went superbly!
Kasey Haskins
Kasey heard about the competition from her local Primary Times magazine. She loves to read and write as well as play the piano. Kasey is also a member of the Brownies.
The Sleepover
It was the bright sunny summer holiday's and Hippo's Mum finally decided, after months of Hippo begging, that Hippo could have his very own sleepover.
As quick as a flash Hippo raced downstairs to phone his bestest friend in the whole wide world Duck.
Duck was just as excited as Hippo, as he had never been to a sleepover before!
The very next day Duck excitedly packed his over night bag, he threw in his tooth brush, flannel, pyjamas, slippers and his hair brush.
Hippo and Duck had great fun. They went to the park and played on the brightly coloured swings and slid down the slippery slide more times than they could count.
They ate ice-cream with strawberry sauce and chocolate sprinkles, then played hide and seek.
At the end of the day the two of them were worn out and very tired.
After Hippo and Duck had eaten their yummy supper, the two friends scrambled upstairs eager to wash their faces, clean their teeth and get into their pyjama's.
Once they had both jumped into their big comfy beds Duck shrieked with horror as he realised he had forgotten to bring Goggy his favourite teddy bear that he loved so very dearly and definitely cannot, no way, sleep without him !!!!
Hippo's Mum came hurrying upstairs to see what all the fuss was about.
Stuttering between tears Duck said "my............... um.....wa........... teddy! my best teddy i forgot........... forgot......... forgot to bring him and i've never slept without Goggy".
Hippo's Mum knew exactly what to do, she went to the book shelf and got out Hippo's favourite bedtime story.
She tucked the two of them in, made them comfy and began to read " Once upon a time in a land far far away................... "Hippo's Mum in a very gentle soothing voice read the story and before she had got to the end Duck was fast asleep !
"Did it work" whispered Hippo quitely, "i think so" said Mummy hippo.
" Good night and sweet dreams".
Katrin O'Hara
Katrin heard about the competition from her teacher at the Strathaven Academy. Her hobbies include photography, art, dancing and drama. She also has a love for animals and owns 3 dogs, a cat 9 fish and a snake.
The Hippo & The Duck's Adventures
In the crazy jungle, there was a hippo and a duck.
One day they decided that they would visit their friends and find out what they were doing on this lovely day.
First of all they decided to visit their friends the parrots and the rhinos and when they got there the parrots were partying, while the rhinos did the rumba.
They decided to visit their friends the chimps and the monkey who were swinging from the vines and the chimps were too.
Then they walked on to find the lions but they had to be really quiet because they were sleeping, whilst the tigers were acting really tough.
They heard a loud cough and they went on to see what it was. It was the zebra. He had the cold and wasn't feeling well.
They didn't want to get the cold too so they went on but they got knocked over by twelve dancing mice!
Then they heard a scream, so they got up and ran to see what it was. They got there to find out it was an elephant. It was because he was being chased by the mice. You see all elephants are scared of mice. Especially this one!
Next they came across a giraffe but he was sad because he had, by accident, tied his neck in a knot. So they helped the giraffe and then they were on their way.
Then they heard some music and when they got there, they found out that the ants had made a band and the beetles did too.
They danced and sung for a while then they walked on. When they heard a rustle in the trees, a kangaroo jumped out and gave the duck a fright. The kangaroos were playing hide and seek.
They were too tired to play so they decided to go home and go to bed but they did have fun today playing with all their lovely friends.
Night night Hippo.
Night night Duck.
Samuel Roberts
Sam heard about the competition from his schoolteacher. He enjoys reading, playing guitar and rugby.
Hippo Hogs The Bed
It was 7:30 and Hippo said to Duck with a yawn "I'm tired, let’s go to bed." Hippo headed upstairs with Duck slowly following.
Hippo jumped into bed wearing his favorite stripy pyjamas. Duck reached the door and cried "you've taken up the whole bed!" She looked at Hippo sprawled across the mattress and decided she didn't want to sleep with someone who took up the whole medium sized mattress.
Duck lay on the uncomfortable carpet, thinking of ways to stop Hippo taking up all the mattress. "I'll make Hippo break the bed then he’ll have to sleep on the floor just like me." thought Duck.
The next day when Hippo was out, Duck unscrewed the bolts on the bed. That night as Hippo jumped into bed it fell apart. "No! Now where will I sleep!" Cried Hippo.
"I can’t live with such a silly Hippo." Yelled Duck." I'm moving away."
"Fine." Shouted Hippo.
As Duck left she realised that wasn't what she’d planned.
Duck thought about how sad Hippo would be without her. Duck was homeless and had no friends. Hippo was sad with no friend or beds.
Duck saw an advert for a place to live. But it wasn't as Duck imagined, two days later she’d had enough. She wanted to go back.
Hippo was so sad every morning he called "Duck, come back, I miss you." One morning he thought heard a distant voice reply. "I will".
That night there was a knock at the door, Hippo opened the door, there was Duck. "Duck!!" Shouted Hippo. "Hippo!!" yelled Duck.
They hugged for ages without stopping. "I'm sorry I was mean to you, I'll never shout at you again." said Duck.
"And I'll never take up the entire mattress”. Said Hippo still hugging Duck.
The next day Hippo went shopping when he returned he called to Duck, "Close your eyes!"
When Duck opened her eyes Hippo shouted "Ta-da" There was a King-size Silentnight mattress. That night Hippo was woken by a loud noise,
Hippo shouted,
"DUCK STOP SNORING!!”
Sophie Howarth
Sophie heard about the competition through her teacher and was set the task as her homework. Sophie enjoys football, drama and writing and dreams of being an author.
Dream Makers
Hippo and duck love their job…they are dream makers!
During the night they turn children's nightmares into the best dreams ever!!! They carefully tip toe into kids bedrooms where they blow their special dream bubbles. Magically the bubbles drift around the room releasing their powers and turning bad dreams into good.
Tonight, their first visit is to a boy called Robert who was having a dreadful nightmare about a big boggley green eyed monster. " Easy to fix this one!" duck grinned. Hippo blew gently and the small bubble floated towards Robert and instantly his dream was transformed. The green monster was now smiling from hairy wart to hairy wart and Robert's fear evaporated as they skipped and danced together to jolly tunes.
"Next house!" sang Hippo excitedly as they sped through the window.
" Now is a girl called Jessie who is dreaming about being stuck in a bowl of cold, gloopy custard" chuckled Duck.
"Oh yessss! I love this dream" cried Hippo as he arrived at the house. Gently he blew a dream bubble and Jessie was now joined by her friends and the bowl was transformed into a water park with candy stick slides, apple pie floats and chocolate sprinkles. Jessie and her friends played for hour after magical hour in the sweet wonderland!
"Next" said Hippo loudly, "it's Charlie who's dreaming he is a teacher"
"I've had that one" Duck shivered, "it's horrid!" Once again Hippo blew a bubble and Charlie was now happily dreaming of pushing a sticky fudge cake into the headmasters face! What fun he had as it soon developed into a full blown food fight!
Duck and Hippo's work was now done for another night. As the sun began to rise, an exhausted Duck and Hippo yawned loudly and soon fell soundly asleep. Which dream do YOU think they chose?
Yen Li Yeap
Yen Li saw the competition in her local Primary Times magazine. She loves reading, learning Spanish and writing stories. Her ambition is to be an author. Yen Li also enjoys playing piano, guitar, taiko drums and swimming and is also a member of the Exeter gymnastics club.
The Little Green Alien
Hippo and Duck were inside their house, reading a story about a little green alien, whose spaceship had crashed into a boy's garden. "I wish that we could see an alien like the one in the story." said Duck.
"Me too." agreed Hippo. Then, they heard a loud sound coming from outside! BUMP! CRASH! BANG! What could it be? Together, they looked out of the window in surprise as a little green alien, like in the story, waddled out of a broken-down spaceship that had fallen into their garden.
They ran out of the house, eager to meet the strange little creature. "Biggles. Canno yua hella pleeoo?" it said.
"What is it saying?" Hippo asked.
"I don't know." replied Duck. As Duck spoke the alien gave them a book that read 'Boggle Language' on the front cover. "I know!" exclaimed Duck. "This book will translate its language to us." He flipped through the book and said, "I think the alien just said, 'Greetings. Can you help me please?'". Duck looked at the alien and it nodded slowly while pointing at its spaceship.
"Maybe it wants us to fix the spaceship?" suggested Hippo. Faster this time, the little alien nodded again.
"We can take it to my grandfather," Duck said. "Pappy knows magic, and can help the alien."
"Boofa pleeoo!" the alien screamed excitedly.
After a long trek, the three friends reached Pappy's mystical cave. "Pappy, can you please help our alien friend fly back home?" Duck asked.
Pappy nodded and chanted a strange spell,
"Higgledy piggledy ziggledy zip,
Get this alien a new spaceship!"
As soon as he completed the spell, a shiny spaceship appeared. The alien climbed in, waved a quick wave, and as swiftly as it had arrived, it was off into the sky, leaving its book behind....