Hello, friends! Today, we’re going to read a fun story called “Bonsai The Cheeky Panda and the Magical Bamboo.” Are you ready for an adventure? Let’s go!
Bonsai is a playful panda who lives in the mountains. He dreams of seeing the big, wide world beyond his home. But sometimes, he feels a little scared about leaving his cozy spot.
Bonsai thinks about his choices. Should he stay on his comfy couch, or should he go on an adventure? What do you think he should do? Let’s count to three and decide together! One, two, three… Adventure!
One day, Bonsai meets a magical bamboo that can talk! The bamboo tells Bonsai that it can help him travel anywhere he wants. All Bonsai has to do is say some magic words: “Zippity zappity pizzly snap!”
Bonsai waves the bamboo and says the magic words. Poof! Suddenly, he finds himself in amazing places!
After all the fun, Bonsai uses the magic words to return home. He feels happy and thankful for the adventures he had. Bonsai learns that big dreams are always worth chasing, but nothing beats being home with family.
And that’s the story of Bonsai the Cheeky Panda and his magical adventure. Remember, it’s always fun to dream big and explore new places, but home is a special place too!
Thanks for joining us on this adventure. Until next time, keep dreaming and exploring!
Adventure Map: Create a simple map with your child using paper and crayons. Draw the different places Bonsai visited, like Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Paris. Encourage your child to add their own imaginary destinations. Ask them, “Where would you like to go if you had a magical bamboo?” This activity helps children visualize and understand geography in a fun way.
Magic Words Game: Practice saying the magic words “Zippity zappity pizzly snap!” together. Then, play a pretend game where each time you say the magic words, you and your child ‘travel’ to a new place in your home or yard. For example, the living room could be Paris, and the backyard could be Australia. Ask your child, “What do you see and hear in this new place?” This encourages imaginative play and helps them think about different environments.
Home Sweet Home Discussion: After Bonsai’s adventures, he returns home. Talk with your child about what makes their home special. Ask questions like, “What do you love most about our home?” and “Why is it nice to come back home after an adventure?” This helps children appreciate their surroundings and understand the value of home.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hey, I’m Ryan Lagot, and I’m Craig Tovy. Welcome to Story Time with Ryan Lagot and Craig Tovy! Today’s book is “Bonsai The Cheeky Panda and the Magical Bamboo,” created by Brook Landers.
Let’s get started!
“Bonsai The Cheeky Panda” lived in the mountains of Kinling. Every day, he had big dreams to see many places beyond China, far, far away. One day, he thought to himself, “If I believe it, I can do it. If I want to see the world, then I better get to it.” The world is full of many unknowns; it can be scary to have big dreams. Maybe I’ll just stay comfy here, for leaving is much harder than it seems. But if I don’t take a chance, I’m sure I’ll be sad about the adventures I could have had.
Well, I think Bonsai has laid out the pros and cons, and I think there is one clear answer here.
Oh, this is an easy one!
So, say it on three!
1, 2, 3… Adventure!
Comfy couch!
What? The pros and cons?
Yeah, Ryan, the pros are comfy couch, and the cons are everything else. He said many unknowns. The pro is adventure.
Uh, I don’t think so. I’m counting again. We’re going to say adventure.
Okay, do not say cozy couch!
One, going to follow my heart.
Two, don’t follow your heart unless it says adventure.
Three… Adventure!
Cozy couch!
I’m sorry, let me cozy couch. I can’t stop saying it!
One, two, three… cozy couch!
I’m turning the page; we’re going on the adventure! You’re coming with me!
The following day, Bonsai set out and wandered off to explore. He knew beyond the trees there just had to be more. He continued his trek, not knowing what lay ahead. Suddenly, he stumbled upon a talking stalk of bamboo.
“Ouch!” yelped the bamboo. “You stepped on my head!”
Bonsai got closer to hear what was said. “That was my head!”
“I’m sorry,” said Bonsai. “I was dreaming of other places to learn of life in new spaces. Don’t worry, I’ll be on my way. So goodbye for now and have a nice day.”
“Wait! Stop! I’m a magical bamboo! With me on your team, I can help you achieve your big dream. Just pick me up and wave me around. We can’t travel the world if I’m stuck on the ground. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. Say these words, and all the places you will know: Zippity zappity pizzly slap! It’s a simple phrase to say. Now shout the magical words out loud, and we’ll be on our way!”
Wow, a magical bamboo! That’s wild!
Can you even imagine that, Craig?
Yeah, Craig, are you imagining the cozy couch?
No, no! I’m imagining the bamboo!
What are you doing?
I’m on the cozy couch!
Are you watching TV?
Yeah, but I’m watching the magical bamboo on TV!
That’s a start!
It’s so cozy!
Bonsai couldn’t believe his luck. Where he’d like to go, he just didn’t know. Then the bamboo suddenly put his worries to rest by saying, “Taking chances truly is the best! Snowshoeing, surfing, hot air ballooning! When you decide you’re ready to go, I’ll be by your side and ready to roll!”
Excited about the journey ahead, Bonsai believed and did just as the bamboo said. He waved it and said the words: “Zippity zappity pizzly snap!” The bamboo started to glow, and a cloud of smoke filled the air.
Poof! Where did they go?
“Hello! I am Nani the seal! Welcome to Honolulu, where we like to greet with a wave! Catch a wave in Waikiki or snorkel in Hanauma Bay. Cool off with shave ice and eat as much pineapple as you please. Dance hula, and you’ll see island life is a breeze!”
“Hi, Bonsai! I’m Swell the dolphin! Welcome to Los Angeles, the land of Hollywood and stars! Don’t be surprised if you’re stuck in traffic with lots of cars. But if you stay by the beach where it’s sunny all day, there’ll be no worries to be had, for you’ll always have time to play!”
“This is pretty great, right, Craig?”
“I got to say, hey, you know if the pros had said vacation, beach vacation in Hawaii, I’d get on board with vacations!”
“Alright, so you’re ready to get off the couch?”
“No, no! I’m staying on the couch! But it’s comfy and cozy! You know all my stuff’s on the couch! I’ve got my shows, my Netflix queue!”
“Hi, Bonsai! I’m Truman the rat! Welcome to New York, where Broadway is king! Some people call us the Big Apple, and fashion’s a thing! You’ll see Lady Liberty and the torch that she keeps. We hope you have fun in the city that never sleeps!”
“Fashion Week, Broadway, Wall Street! Cheers!”
“Bonsai! I’m Ezra the owl! Allow me to be the first to welcome you to beautiful London Town! Check out Buckingham Palace and the king with his crown! Big Ben towers near for the time you shall see; he’s Mr. Reliable, so you’ll never miss!”
“Bonsai! I’m Gasar the rooster! Welcome to Paris, where it’s easy to fall in love! The Eiffel Tower is strikingly grand, with great views from above. The Arc de Triomphe is glorious, and nights you’ll forever be changed by the City of Lights!”
“I heart Paris!”
“I’m Hobby the Koala! Greetings from the land we call Down Under! Sydney is the spot, just in case you did wonder! Our opera is amazing; I won’t have to remind you twice! Good day!”
“Bonsai! I’m Connor the Macaw! You arrived in colorful Tokyo, where cherry blossoms bloom in spring! Sumo is here, and koi fish swim near! Morning joys the rising sun will bring; the shrines are full of wisdom. Japan’s sushi is truly delicious! Be sure to bring a friend along; you can’t finish it yourself!”
“How are you feeling now, Craig?”
“I got to say, I’ve never been to Japan. I’ve never been to Australia. I love sushi! If you listed sushi as one of the pros, then I’m totally in!”
“Are you ready to get off the couch?”
“No, no! I’m just going to order some sushi!”
“Do you want any?”
“Yeah, I’ll do some salmon sushi!”
“No! We’re going on this adventure! Don’t distract me with sushi!”
“I’m sorry for yelling! This is not the kind of travel companion I want to go on vacation with!”
“Somebody who’s yelling? You know who’s not yelling? My couch!”
“I’m turning the page!”
Then the magical bamboo said, “Oh no! We need to get you back! You know what you must say so we can stay on track!”
And so the cheeky panda did as he was asked: “Zippity zappity pizzly snap!” And all too quickly, the adventure was a wrap.
They arrived home safely, feeling happy from the sights they saw. Bonsai couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe. The bamboo shared some final words with the cheeky panda who’d been afraid: “Big dreams are always within you; you mustn’t let them fade.”
Bonsai understood the bamboo and thanked her for her time. The cheeky panda knew his biggest dreams would always be worth the climb.
“I’m so happy we met! While it’s a blast to learn in Rome, I missed my family dearly in the place I call home.”
So the bamboo parted ways with her newly found friend, knowing this was the first of many adventures to come and most certainly not the end.
Through the rainbow portal, our journey begins, traveling the world and making new friends. We’re going down under to London too, doing some magic with the stick of bamboo!
Magic portal, choosing adventure, taking a chance!
Magic portal, seeing New York and Paris, France!
Magic portal, traveling the world from north to south!
Magic portal, still nothing beats being home on my couch!
Still nothing beats…
“I got this, Ryan!”
“Being home on my couch, it’s so cozy!”
“Well, at least I got you to go on the adventure in my mind. I never left the couch!”
“When did you make tea?”
“Bonsai The Cheeky Panda and the Magical Bamboo,” created by Brook Landers.
[Music]
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This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains a family-friendly tone.