Childrens Hour

Hi Kids, here's Chapter 11 of The Wind in The Willows, where Toad finds his friends again and seeks to recapture Toad Hall from the Weasels and Stoats. Together, they hatch a cunning plan...

Hi Kids! Here's Chapter 10 of The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, read as usual by me, Bill Allerton, with Nellie turning the pages! Do we think that Toad will EVER change? Listen on...

Hi Kids. Chapter 9 of the Wind in The Willows. I'm sorry if I have been a little erratic in loading some of these chapters but each one is recorded fresh, edited, and put out there for your enjoyment! This means that sometimes I'm not at my best. Some of these chapters have only been possible thanks to liberal doses of Lemsip and Halls Mentholyptus sweets. Hope I don't disappoint you too much, Bill.

Hi Kids. This track is 'Cheval'. 'Cheval' is the old french word for 'Horse'. Used today it describes a tall, slender mirror that stands free on four feet. Sometimes those feet can be very ornately carved, like the proud horses in the story. The story may be a little beyond some of our listeners, but it's a story about how we begin as a child with an open mind to the magic in our imagination, then as we grow older and have more responsibility we begin to lose touch with it. But don't worry, as we get older still our imagination finds ways to reconnect us with the magic. I hope you enjoy this one, Bill

Hi Kids. This is Chapter 8 of The Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame. In this chapter Mr Toad escapes from gaol dressed as a washerwoman and just as he thinks he is safe... then... listen on! Merry Christmas from Bill & Nellie!

Hi, this is another wonderful track from Caroline Pitcher, children's author of great renown and author of 11 o'clock Chocolate Cake, also featured on Urban Tiger Radio. This story is about the sea, so immerse yourself...

Hi Kids. Sorry for the delay bringing you this episode but I had a cold that made me croak like Mr Toad! Now I've recovered, I hope I've done as good a job of this one as I can. One late, hot summer evening, Mole and Rat set off in their boat to find Portly, a lost Otter cub. On their way they discover something even more astounding... something they would remember all their lives... if only they could remember what it was.. Listen on. And a Merry Christmas! Bill.

Hi Kids. This is Chapter 1: 'A Deadly Secret' of my novel, The Time Mouse. I think you will like Costello, he's one of those people (sorry, Mice) that always thinks he has the answer to everything, but really he's a bit of a fraud. I'm sure you all know people like that too! Anyway, Costello is here to ask for help. He has a problem with Time that only 'Normals', that's people like you and me, can help him with. Are you ready? Let's go and help Costello and Cheryl with a Deadly Secret.

Hi Kids. Here's Chapter Six of The Wind in The Willows, 'Mr Toad'. Mr Toad's best friends, Badger, Ratty and Mole, try to help him overcome an obsession he has for something that they know will only hurt him. Does he listen to them? What do you think? Find out here in Chapter Six, Mr Toad...

Hi Kids. Chapter 5 of Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame: Dulce Domum (or Home Sweet Home). This chapter reminds us of the safety and sanctity of being surrounded by all our special things in that special place we all love to be at Christmas... Home.

Hi Kids. Here is Chapter 4 of The Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame. This one is all about Mr Badger, so we get to kniow what it is like to live Underground, and we get to meet two hungry hedgehogs and Otter, a great friend of Ratty. Enjoy! And try all our other stories too. 'The Time Mouse' coming soon! Bill Allerton

Hi Kids. Here is a link to this book on Amazon > amzn.eu/d/dtJSp5G A truly amazing 'pull-you-along-at breakneck-speed' book for early teens from a consummate, internationally published expert in the genre! Also includes easy-to-make recipes for Emma Peek's favourite midnight snacks, including the title one of '11 O'Clock Chocolate Cake' Get your Mom to buy it for your Christmas or Birthday! Amazing book. See it! Read it! Eat it! Enjoy my cover! (Bill Allerton)

Hi Kids. Here is Chapter 3 of The Wind in The Willows, The Wild Wood. Help Ratty look for Mole in this exciting chapter as he gets lost while feeling braver than he really is.

Hi Kids. This story is Which Witch Wood? from suggestions by Maryam and Innis. It has everything! Time Travel, Dinosaurs, Pterodactyls, Magic Spells, Witches, Dark Caves, but mostly two children who don't listen to their parents. Enjoy! Bill Allerton & Nellie

Hi Kids. Chapter two, 'The Open Road'. Listen to how Toad came to be obsessed with the motor car. I don't suppose he's that much different from the rest of us, do you? Sit back and enjoy 'The Open Road' (as long as Mr Toad is not driving!)

Hi Kids. I know that by now that you probably all think I'm a bit silly, just from listening to the content of these stories, but I'd like you to remember that I only wrote them. The stories were directed by the children from Sharrow School who suggested characters, plot and everything else I had to include (including skeletons and blood). I suspect that they were children just like you are now. So go ahead and enjoy letting your imagination run free!

Hi Kids. This is the first chapter of Kenneth Grahame's 'The Wind in the Willows'. For those of you familiar with Ratty, Mole and Badger this will need no introduction, but what I have recorded is the original version of the story as printed in October of 1908, 110 years ago in another month or so. Some of the words Mr Grahame uses might make you think a little but it's worth the effort. Sit back, listen and enjoy... and no, you can't have a go at the oars... not yet anyway, maybe later...

I hope you've all been enjoying Berlie's wonderful story of self-discovery. This is the last podcast from that novel and I'm sure that you will all now go to Berlie's incredible website: www.berliedoherty.com/ where you can contact Berlie herself and tell her how much you enjoyed her story. There are many of Berlie's other books on there and they are available online or at any good bookshop. Go and take a look. Berlie's catalogue of works is a wonder to behold for all ages.

Hi Kids. I hope you've all been enjoying Berlie's wonderful story of self-discovery. This is the last podcast from that novel and I'm sure that you will all now go to Berlie's incredible website: http://www.berliedoherty.com/ where you can contact Berlie herself and tell her how much you enjoyed her story. There are many of Berlie's other books on there and they are available online or at any good bookshop. Go and take a look. Berlie's catalogue of works is a wonder to behold for all ages.

Hi Kids, this is another of my 'How' stories. This week it's 'How Bumble Found Her Bee'. Listen on and find out why Bumble Bees have that name and why they wear brown and yellow striped coats. You'll never believe it! (and perhaps you shouldn't!) Keep Listening out for more... Bill Allerton

Hi Kids. Chapter 7 of Berlie's fascinating novel, Granny was a Buffer Girl. Enjoy!

What does your name mean to you? Are you just a tick in a register when you go to school? Or is there something more to that. With the help of The Dogged Detective, Fariyah makes her point...

Here is Chapter 6 of Berlie's wonderful story about coming of age. More to come later!

Here it is Kids! Chapter 5 of Berlie's incredible tale of growing up. Enjoy! More chapters to come each week so set your reminder! Look out for a reissue of this novel coming soon to all good bookshops and online suppliers. I'll let you know when it's out.

HI Kids. Here is Chapter 4 of 'Granny was a Buffer Girl' by Berlie Doherty. Enjoy! Bill

Hi Kids. Very short podcast this week, just a poem. This poem is dedicated to all the trees saved by protesters against the Sheffield City Council policy of cutting down viable trees because they feel it will make the pavements safer. But much less nicer than before, especially in summer.

Man-Child and The Talking Stone is a story about understanding each other, and accepting that while we are basically the same, we do have differences in our abilities. It is also about the way that Life shapes us for the different tasks it has in store for us, and how we can use our differences to make things easier and better for all of us. But mostly it's about Danger, Fun, Tigers, Parrots and Monkeys!

Here it is Kids! Chapter 3 of Berlie's incredible tale of growing up. Enjoy! More chapters to come each week so set your reminder! Look out for a reissue of this novel coming soon to all good bookshops and online suppliers. I'll let you know when it's out.

Hi Kids. Chapter 2 of our ongoing serial by the famous Berlie Doherty. Look out for a reissue of this novel coming soon to all good bookshops and online suppliers. I'll let you know when it's out. It's quiet this week, you only have Berlie to listen to. I lost my voice. I think Nellie hid it after I told her off for bringing mice home. If you have any idea where she might have put it I'd love to hear from you...

Hi Kids. Another of my stories from back when I worked with the Y2's at Sharrow School. We are working our way down the list of the book I produced for them in 2004 but there are still plenty left and when I run out, well... I'll just have to write some more, won't I? I'll keep on posting episodes of 'Granny Was A Buffer Girl' by Berlie Doherty until they build into a full playlist that you can listen to from top to bottom. Don't forget to search online for more titles by Berlie Doherty or visit her at www.berliedoherty.com. Oh... and Nellie says 'Meeeooowww'.

Hi Kids. Sorry for the delay but last week I broke Nellie's Computer. Well... it was Apple, really, but Nellie says that everything is my fault. I promised you a famous author and here she is! The fabulous BERLIE DOHERTY reading the first chapter of her novel 'Granny Was A Buffer Girl' along with a short description from me of what a 'Buffer Girl' did. More chapters will follow each week until you have the complete audiobook. The novel itself is about to be re-released in paperback. I'll let you know when that happens so you can keep a copy for yourself. Visit Berlie Doherty on her website at www.berliedoherty.com and don't forget to click the little 'like' button if you enjoy her story.

Hi Kids! Another of my 'Sharrow' stories today. This is a poem called 'And The Ship Sailed On...'. I was given the cast of the crew by Saniya, who wanted to be both a Princess AND a Movie Star, and Kenttoon, who wants to be a Ninja when he grows up. It had to take place on board a ship and there had to be shark(s) and soldiers! Now, start to work that one out. As always, I did my best... and here it is...

Hi Kids. Have you ever seen pictures taken of people where their eyes have turned bright red? Ever wondered why that happens? Well... Connor the Ninja, recovering from a brave battle, and Hassan the Leopard, are about to find out as they fight together to save the Souls of all the Jungle Animals in another Sharrow Story from Bill Allerton and Nellie, the Urban Tiger.

Hi Kids. A Wish for Wings is another of my 'Sharrow' stories. This time, Hudeifa and Hannah wanted to be horses, but not ordinary horses, very special horses. At first they wanted to be very different horses too, but did they find at the end that perhaps they didn't want to be so different after all...? Look out for Dragons and Giants and Enormous Steam Engines along the way. Enjoy! (Bill Allerton)

Hi Kids. Time to find out a little something about me and how these stories came to be written, but most of all I want to share with you the strange poetic tale of Clara the Blue, and Joseph the Red. Don't forget to wear a coat. You may get showered with magic!

Hi Kids. I hope you like this weeks story. It's about Bravery, Change, Love and Loyalty. It's one of my very favourites and I've done everything I can to make it real for you. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please tick the little heart shaped 'Like' button. If you wish to tell me what kind of poems and stories you like best, get a parent to email Urban Tiger at urbantigerradio2@gmail.com, and let us know and we'll see what we can find. Enjoy! Bill.

Hello again from Bill. This week I am bringing you three more of my poems. Two of them are 'How' poems, How Moth Saw the Light and How Sniff got his Dog. For the third poem we pay another visit to 'Grandad Bill' (But we know who he is already, don't we... Grandad Bill!)

Hi Kids! Sorry it's been so long but here are four poems and stories for you. The first one is 'Ifti's Birthday Present' followed by 'Grandad and the Dentist', then two 'How' poems of mine, 'How Purr found his Cat' and 'How Tree got his Bird'. I hope you enjoy these and if you do then feel free to pass the links on to your friends. There will be more to follow.

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...

Would you know what something really was if you couldn't spell it? Join Sir Tingly, Whinnie the Horse and a horde of very clever Mice as Old Ned leads them astray in The Quest for The Dargon! Meet Wizards, pigeons. strange big-footed creatures that ROOOOAAAAR in the night sky and follow Maps-with-corners-torn-off and a whole host of Silly Jokes. Share a pink cheese slice with Old Ned and get your blue milkshake direct from the cow... and hold onto your hat... it's going to get Windy!!! Enjoy this tale from Bill Allerton of a Hopeless Boy, a Failed Magician, and the Brightest Shiniest Knight you ever saw...