Imagine a world full of colorful leaves and busy animals getting ready for winter. Leaves are not just pretty; they help plants make food using sunlight. When autumn comes, the days get shorter, and the green in the leaves fades away, showing bright reds, oranges, and yellows.
As leaves fall, some birds fly to warmer places, and little animals like hedgehogs curl up to sleep. Wet leaves become cozy homes for frogs, insects, and snails. Chipmunks gather seeds, and squirrels hide nuts to eat later. Mushrooms pop up, and deer munch on them, even the ones that aren’t safe for people.
In the forest, Little Red the fox loves playing hide and seek with Hazel the dormouse. They jump and roll in the crunchy leaves. But soon, Hazel will hibernate for winter, and Little Red will miss her friend. They promise to play again when spring arrives.
Julia loves hiking and sets off to Pancake Peak. She enjoys the fresh air and beautiful views. On her way, she meets some animals who need help getting down the mountain. There’s Fitz the packrat, Louis the javelina, and Violet the porcupine.
Julia helps them, and they all become friends. They have a picnic and share snacks. When they reach a broken bridge, Fitz comes up with a clever plan to cross it. Louis uses his great sense of smell to guide them through a dark cave. Finally, they all make it to Julia’s house just in time for dinner.
Each season brings something special. In spring, kites dance in the sky, and flowers bloom. Summer is for playing in puddles and enjoying the sun. Fall brings school days and crunchy leaves to jump in. Winter is all about snowflakes and warm mittens.
Even when it’s cold, the stars twinkle in the sky, waiting for wishes. We dream of spring while enjoying the cozy winter days.
Sometimes, soldiers like Papa have to go away to help others. If I could, I’d ride in Papa’s backpack and whisper in his ear. We’d face storms together, and he’d keep me safe. Even when he’s away, I know he’s thinking of me, and I’ll be here waiting for him.
Ronnie never gives up. When he was a boy, he dreamed of flying with his new red shoes. Even when he fell, he kept trying. That’s called grit, and it helped him become a great football player.
Ronnie learned to respect others and worked hard to achieve his dreams. Even when he got hurt, he didn’t quit. Now, he inspires others to do their best and never give up. Grit is a little voice inside us that says, “You can do it!”
Books are like magic doors to new worlds full of stories and laughter. You can read them anywhere—on a plane, in a car, or even on a train. If you don’t have books yet, ask someone to help you find some. You’ll be glad you did!
Thanks for reading! For more fun stories, try exploring new books and let your imagination soar.
Leaf Color Hunt: Go on a nature walk with an adult and collect different colored leaves. Try to find as many colors as you can, like red, orange, yellow, and brown. Once you have your collection, sort the leaves by color and talk about why leaves change colors in autumn. Can you find out which trees the leaves came from?
Animal Habitats Exploration: Create a small habitat for a toy animal using materials you find outside, like leaves, sticks, and rocks. Think about what your animal would need to stay warm and safe during the autumn and winter. Discuss with a friend or family member how real animals prepare for winter and what they might need in their habitats.
Seasonal Story Time: Choose your favorite season and draw a picture of what you love most about it. Then, write a short story or a few sentences about an adventure you might have during that season. Share your story with a classmate or family member and ask them what their favorite season is and why.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript, removing any unnecessary repetitions, filler words, and maintaining clarity:
—
**[Music]**
Books, leaves, and an autumn pop-up. A leaf seems simple but does many things. A leaf contains green chlorophyll that helps it use sunlight, water, and air to make food for the plant. As days shorten, autumn’s brilliance flutters down. With less daylight, chlorophyll disappears from leaves, revealing bright colors. As leaves drop, some birds migrate to warmer places, and hungry critters hide under the layers. The hedgehog curls up in a prickly ball to sleep, its spine sticking out for protection. Wet, matted leaves are homes for frogs, insects, snails, and slugs. Leaves rustle as animals hustle for food. Chipmunks scurry among leaves, stuffing their chubby cheeks with seeds, while squirrels bury acorns and nuts under leaves to store for winter.
Mushrooms pop up on the forest floor, often growing in damp, leaf-covered locations. Deer eat mushrooms, including some kinds that are poisonous to humans. Leaf-lined burrows are cozy for dozing in autumn. Some animals, such as bears, skunks, chipmunks, mice, frogs, and snakes, prepare for deep winter sleep. Leaves change; they are amazing.
As the season turns, the forest is dressed in new colors of rich amber, burnt orange, and chestnut brown. Little Red the fox is happy because it’s easier to hide among the dried brown leaves, burgundy bushes, and coppery grasses. Only in the open meadow can Hazel the dormouse catch sight of Little Red. The two friends spend hours playing hide and seek, jumping and rolling in the crisp, dried leaves.
During these moments of happiness, the cold air hints at the coming winter. Little Red feels a tinge of sadness because winter means loneliness; soon, Hazel will settle down in a warm burrow to hibernate.
“Hazel, perhaps this season you will sleep less,” said Little Red hopefully. “Little Red, I am a dormouse. I’d like to stay awake and keep you company, but in the end, I must always sleep.”
Little Red started to think of ways to keep Hazel awake. What if he could make the sun stay high? What if he could ask the forest to hold its fruit? What if he tickled Hazel to stay awake?
The dormouse started to yawn. “Hazel, I want us to stay together forever,” pleaded Little Red. “I promise when winter gives way to spring, I will be here for you, and we will play again.”
“I know, Hazel, but before you sleep, may I tell you a story?”
“Why yes, as long as it is short,” replied Hazel sleepily, with her head nodding and eyes closing. So Little Red curled up on the forest floor, and Hazel nestled into his soft, warm tail to listen. But before a word of the story was spoken, the two friends had fallen fast asleep.
**[Music]**
Julia wakes up to a beautiful sunrise. Today is the perfect day to hike up to Pancake Peak. The air is fresh, and Julia is prepared, traveling by herself just the way she likes it.
“Grumble, grumble, grumble! Be home in time for dinner,” Julia buzzes through the wildflowers of Muffin Meadow. She clicks through the darkest depths of Black Coffee Cave and balances bravely across Bacon Bridge. Julia crests Hash Brown Hill in record time and has a quick picnic for one.
“Grumble, grumble, grumble! It’s just a little farther until I reach the turn around at Pancake Peak.” The panorama at Pancake Peak is perfectly peaceful; she has it all to herself.
Suddenly, a band of bickering creatures disturbs the silence. “We’re saved!” cries the tiny packrat. “This nice girl can help us get down!”
“What? Where is the girl?” asks the javelina, squinting and fiddling with his broken glasses.
“A stranger!” cries the frightened porcupine. Julia backs away. “Oh, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. You see, I need to be home in time for dinner.”
“Wait! My name’s Fitz. This blind bloke is Louis, and that lovely bundle of quills is Violet. We’re stranded!” squeaks Violet. “Getting to the peak was fine, but when I saw how high we were, I poofed, which broke my glasses,” grumbles Louis. “I can’t see a thing and popped the cargo balloon I was using to lighten my load,” groans Fitz. “Now my pack is too heavy for me to carry. So what do you say? Can we tag along, please?”
Julia hesitates but agrees. Once they safely return to the base of Pancake Peak, the relieved tagalongs squeal with glee. “Julia!” they cheer. They break for a sunny group picnic at Hash Brown Hill.
“Grumble, grumble, grumble!” As Fitz opens his backpack, Julia exclaims, “Whoa! A rat’s pack is where the snacks are!” After they gobble some of the load, Fitz can carry the pack himself. “Onward to Bacon Bridge!” he shouts.
But Bacon Bridge is broken. “We’re doomed!” cries Violet.
“Don’t worry,” says Fitz. “What kind of pack rat would I be without a plan?”
Everyone cheers. “We should keep moving; Black Coffee Cave is getting darker by the minute!”
“Oh no!” Julia gasps at the mouth of the cave. “I’ve lost my headlamp! My flashlight is gone too!”
“Follow me,” grumbles Louis. “I can’t see, but I have an exquisite nose. Do I smell wildflowers at the other end of this cave?”
“That’s Muffin Meadow!” exclaims Julia. “Come on, everyone! Louis can get us through!”
**[Applause]**
Three cheers for Louis and his mighty nose! “Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!”
“Wait, what happened to Muffin Meadow?” whispers Julia.
“Look out! It’s a trap!” cries Fitz.
“Nobody’s going to chomp my friends!” roars Violet.
“Go, righteous defense, Violet! If it hadn’t been for you, we’d all be plant food!” exclaims Julia.
“Speaking of food, do you smell that?” asks Louis.
“It smells like spaghetti and pizza!” says Violet.
“And french fries and cherry pies!” exclaims Fitz.
“It’s dinner at my house!” says Julia. “And we are right on time!”
As the tagalongs sit down to dinner, Julia hears a knock at the gate.
**[Music]**
Tonight, Julia is feasting with all her new friends, just the way she likes it.
**[Music]**
**Lion of the Sky**
For all seasons:
**Spring** – I am a windbird, sky skipper, diamond dipper, dancing on your string. Colorful flowers sprout on stems of people, blooming only in rain. Twigs, sticks, mud, feathers – I’m a closely woven home for chirping chicks. Here’s my secret: soft petals hide inside me, coming soon abloom.
**Summer** – I’m a wriggling tube, soft underground tunneler. I fear early birds in the still damp air. You sail leaf boats across me, tiny sidewalk pond.
**Fall** – My first day outfit is fresh paint and polished floors. Here come my new friends! I’m a yellow train carrying thoughts from your brain to the waiting page. I’m red delicious with a quick twist of your wrist. I’m free from the tree, a reward for raking a crispy crowd of loud crunch when you jump in me. I perch on the porch, spooky face frozen in place, fire burning inside. I search under oaks and gather tasty treasures.
**Winter** – We are knitted twins, soft as kittens, warm as hugs, waiting to hold hands. I’m cold confetti falling from a crystal sky, blanketing the town down. I’m thin silver blades spinning circles, carving lines. You and I fly, lie down in whiteness, kick and swish and wave your arms. Give me winter wings!
**Fire Light from the Past** – I wink in the frozen sky, waiting for wishes in fur coat and cave. I exhale white clouds of breath, dreaming of sun-green spring.
**[Music]**
**Papa’s Backpack**
My papa is a soldier with arms strong and warm. Sometimes soldiers go away for a while to help, so I can stay and play. But if I could, I’d ride in Papa’s backpack and whisper in his ear. I’d ride with Papa side by side, so when he goes, I’m near.
**[Applause]**
Me and my papa, we’d smell the smoke, hear the growls, the rumble and the roar. We’d feel the sting, the twisted wind, and taste the angry rain. But side by side, we’d ride the storm and find our way.
**[Applause]**
He’d hold my hand, touch my hair, and kiss my face and eyes. My papa is a soldier with arms strong and warm. Sometimes soldiers go away for a while to help, so I can stay and play. But if I could, I’d ride in Papa’s backpack and whisper in his ear. I’d ride with Papa side by side, so when he goes, I’m near.
**[Music]**
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler. Long I stood and looked down one as far as I could to where it bent in the undergrowth. Then took the other, as just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim because it was grassy and wanted wear. Though as for that, the passing there had worn them really about the same. And both that morning equally lay in leaves no step had trodden black.
I kept the first for another day, yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence: two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.
**[Applause]**
**Ronnie and His Grit**
Let me tell you a story about Ronnie. When others gave up, Ronnie did not. He always did what he set his mind to, dedicated and tough through and through. As a boy, he bought shoes that were red as fire. The commercials said they’d make him fly high.
With all his effort and might, Ronnie prepared for his very first flight. But all his excitement didn’t last; he jumped through the air but came crashing down fast. After his unfortunate tumble, Ronnie felt something inside start to rumble. He sat there, somewhat battered and bruised, and brooded across from his new pair of shoes.
“Maybe these shoes won’t make me jump high. Maybe it’s me and how hard I try.” That rumble and Ronnie is what we call grit—a voice that encouraged him to never quit. Grit followed Ronnie as he grew. Every time he played or tried something new, he thrived.
Grit had a voice that was strong and impactful, but Ronnie still needed to learn to be tactful. Like when his coach said to throw as hard as he could, and he knocked someone over. “Respect those around you,” his dad would say. Ronnie listened and learned along the way.
In high school, Ronnie joined the football team and suddenly knew he had a dream. When he put on his helmet and gear, he felt that same rumble; his purpose was clear. While he missed some tackles and dropped some balls, he never gave up or stopped giving his all.
When he fell, grit told him to get back up again. When he lost, grit said, “I know we can win.” His mistakes were chances to try a new way, and tomorrow was always a brilliant new day.
Years passed, and he joined a professional team. Ronnie and his grit were achieving their dreams. Sometimes he got hurt, and sometimes his team lost, but he kept doing his best no matter the cost.
One fateful day on the football field, he was put to the test, and his grit didn’t yield. Ronnie got hurt; it was really a zinger. He arose from the play, losing part of his finger. But even that didn’t stop him from reaching his dream and inspiring others, including his team.
Today, Ronnie’s football days are past, but his grit stays strong and will always last. He continues to give everything he has, whether teaching kids or playing ball. Every time he helps inspire someone, every time he cheers on his daughters or sons, grit is helping him follow through.
Give this life all you’ve got. I believe in you. Have you listened closely to that voice deep inside, the one that tells you never to hide? Next time you’re down or feeling blue, remember that grit lives within you too. It’s the whisper that says, “Yes, you can!” It’s the belief in yourself; it’s your greatest fan. It’s never too late to call up your grit, your own tiny voice that rumbles, “Don’t quit!”
If you don’t have books, then what are you waiting for? Look, say kids, safe! They have storybooks that are brought to life, and it’s fun! I like to read books about fantasy and love. I tell other kids to get books because they’re full of stories and laughter. I’ll read on the go, in a car, in a plane, even in a train.
I’ve never been on a train. Don’t wait around; ask your G to download books now. You’ll be glad you did! Thanks for watching! For more stories, try the app for free.
**[Music]**
—
This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while ensuring clarity and coherence.
