May 18, 2025 • 24 mins
What's in Jo and Kate's happy pants this week? Something rough and crinkly, thin like paper, very long, it just keeps going and going - oh, it's a party streamer! This week's episode is all about celebrating - whether it be a birthday or special occasion.
How do you like to celebrate? Most importantly, who do you enjoy celebrating with? This week you'll hear about some of the different ways people like to celebrate around the world. Plus there's a story, activities and plenty of music.
If you're in the mood to hear another story about a celebration, make sure you check out 'Happy Birthday Lulu' by Caroline Uff, in the Feelix Library. It's free to join and books come in the accessible format of your choice! Find out more here on the Feelix Library website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
S1 (00:04):
One, two, three. It's happy pants.
S2 (00:20):
G'day, and welcome to Happy Pants, a show especially for
kids and especially for you. My name is Joe.
S3 (00:29):
And my name is Kate. And together, we are your
happy pants team for today.
S2 (00:34):
Are you wearing your happy pants? We are today. Mine.
A sparkly with sequins. When you move in sparkly pants,
they make a soft, shimmery sound like crinkling foil or
the quiet rustle of wrapping paper. When you open a present.
S3 (00:52):
And mine a bright rainbow stripes just like a party hat.
S2 (00:57):
Happy pants have lots of pockets. Let's see what we
can find in them today, shall we?
S3 (01:03):
Well, in this pocket I found something that feels rough
and and crinkly and thin, like paper. It's very long.
It it keeps going and going and going. Oh, it's
a party streamer.
S2 (01:20):
Oh, a party streamer. Well, that's perfect for a party. Well,
check your other pocket, Kate. Maybe there's something else in there.
S3 (01:28):
Okay, so there's something long and a little bendy. It
feels kind of like a noodle, but it. But it's
made of rubber. Oh.
S2 (01:39):
Oh, that's a balloon. You can stretch it out and
blow it up for decorations. Or even twist it into
fun shapes like a balloon animal.
S3 (01:49):
Check your pockets, Joe. Maybe there's a balloon animal in there.
S2 (01:53):
Oh, okay. Let me see what I have in my pocket. Hmm. Oh,
not a balloon. I can feel something round and smooth
with a tiny stick poking out of the bottom.
S3 (02:07):
Oh, is it a lollipop?
S2 (02:09):
Ah, no. Not quite. Oh, but it does smell sweet
and sugary, though. Oh, I know what it is. It's
a cake topper. The little decoration you put on top
of birthday cakes.
S3 (02:22):
Oh, yum. Birthday cake is my favourite. And I love
chocolate cake. What kind of cake do you like?
S2 (02:30):
I like ice cream cake. It's my two favourite things together.
Ice cream and cake. You can't go wrong. But let's
see what else I can find. Oh hang on, I
can feel something flat and square like a piece of paper, but. Oh,
it's a bit thicker.
S3 (02:49):
What could that be?
S2 (02:51):
Well, it's decorated with stars and balloons and it says
you're invited in large print. I can feel the words
in Braille on there as well. Oh, it's an invitation
to a birthday party.
S3 (03:04):
I love birthday party invitations. They always make me so excited.
S2 (04:28):
Birthdays are so much fun. Do you know what I
love most about them?
S3 (04:33):
Is it the presents, the cake or the balloons?
S2 (04:36):
Well, it's all of those. But my favorite thing is
being with my friends and my family.
S3 (04:45):
Same here. Birthdays are all about having fun, making memories
and feeling special. Oh, and the party games.
S2 (04:54):
Oh, I so enjoy playing party games. Pin the tail
on the donkey. Musical chairs are. And pass the parcel.
S3 (05:03):
Pass the parcel is when everyone at the party sits
in a circle and someone plays some music. They pass
a parcel around the circle, which is sometimes wrapped in
newspaper crinkly tissue paper or pretty gift paper. Inside the
parcel are treats and goodies. When the music stops, the
person holding the parcel at the time can unwrap one
(05:27):
layer and see if they get anything before the music
starts up again, and it's time to pass it around
the circle again.
S2 (05:36):
Is there a present in each layer? Kate?
S3 (05:39):
It depends. Sometimes there are lollies or chocolates in every
single layer, with the last layer containing a big present
for the winner, but sometimes it's only the one big
present at the end.
S2 (05:50):
Oh well, I think I like it better when I
unwrap it and get a present too. Even if I
don't get a big one.
S3 (06:00):
I don't mind. It can feel disappointing, but if your
friend wins the big present this time, you might win
next time. Plus, there are so many other treats at
a birthday party, you'd soon forget all about it.
S2 (07:20):
Did you know people around the world celebrate birthdays differently?
S3 (07:25):
Really? What do they do?
S2 (07:27):
Well, in Mexico, kids, whack a pinata. Big word alert. Pinata.
A pinata is a paper mache shape. Traditionally, a donkey
that is filled with lollies and surprises. And you must
take turns hitting it with a big stick to try
(07:49):
to break it open. Because once there's a nice big
hole in it, all the lollies spill out from inside
the pinata onto the floor and you've got to be
quick to grab some for yourself.
S3 (08:01):
I've done a pinata before. It was in the shape
of a castle.
S2 (08:05):
Ooh. Well, in Brazil, it's tradition to share the first
slice of your birthday cake with the person you love
the most. Well, it might be your parent, a sibling,
or your grandparent.
S3 (08:18):
It's a tradition, something that you do all the time
with your family.
S2 (08:21):
Yeah. Kind of. Big word alert. Tradition. A tradition is
the handing down from parents to children over many years
of a culture's belief, way of thinking and action or behavior.
S3 (08:40):
Well, my family have a birthday tradition. I think whoever's
birthday it is always get to pick what's for dinner.
When it's my birthday, I always pick mom's lasagna.
S2 (08:51):
Well, at my house, when it's someone's birthday, we go
somewhere for a barbecue down at the beach or to
a park. And all our family comes along.
S3 (09:02):
Are there any other traditions you know?
S2 (09:04):
Well, in China, people eat long noodles on their birthdays.
It's called longevity noodles. They believe the longer the noodle,
the longer your life. It's eaten on birthdays and Chinese
New Year.
S3 (09:19):
That's amazing. Do they have cake too?
S2 (09:22):
Oh, sometimes. It depends on how many people come to
the party. Sometimes there are so many people. Cupcakes are
a better idea.
S3 (09:32):
How would you know how much cake you need? Oh.
S2 (09:36):
Well. Well, imagine you have a birthday cake with 12 slices.
You invite four friends to your party. If everyone, including you,
gets the same number of slices. How many slices does
each person get?
S3 (09:55):
Hmm. There's 12 slices and five people, including me. Let's
divide 12 by five.
S2 (10:05):
That's right. Kate. Let's figure it out.
S3 (10:08):
Well, 12 divided by five is two, lots of five
is ten. So that would be two whole slices, each
with two slices left over.
S2 (10:21):
Perfect. You could save those extra slices for later or
share them with your friends.
S3 (10:28):
Birthdays are special because it's a day to celebrate you.
S2 (10:32):
I love any kind of celebration, but especially if it's
about me.
S3 (10:41):
Big word alert. Celebration. A celebration is when you do
special things to honor a person or an occasion.
S2 (10:49):
You can celebrate lots of things. It could be a birthday,
a holiday, a wedding, the first day of school, or
even something exciting like winning a game or getting good news.
S3 (11:03):
Celebrating together is the best. It doesn't matter how you celebrate.
What matters is who you celebrate with.
S1 (11:11):
It's happy pants on Vision Australia radio.
S2 (11:14):
Our story today was written by Giles Reid. It's called
Olive and it's a munch bunch book. The Munch Bunch
are a group of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. One day
they ran away from the Greengrocer's shop where they lived.
They made their new homes in and around an old
forgotten garden shed. This is a story about Olive and
(11:38):
the time she attended a friend's party.
S4 (11:40):
Yay! Story time.
S5 (11:43):
Olive. Written by Giles Reid. Olive is one of the
Munch bunch. She lives in a little stone jar next
door to Sally's strawberry olives. Very small, and she's very,
very shy. One day, each of the Munch bunch received
an invitation to Sally Strawberry's party, and everyone was so
(12:05):
excited and looking forward to the fun and games. Everyone,
that is, except for Olive. You see, although Olive loves parties,
she's so shy that she just can't bring herself to
join in. She couldn't help remembering the last party she'd
been to when they were playing Pass the Parcel. Olive
(12:29):
had missed her turn every time because she was so short.
Then there was the embarrassing moment when Tom tomato had
asked her to dance. Olive had been so nervous that
when she'd opened her mouth to say yes, nothing came out.
Everyone had laughed until they cried, except for Ollie Onion.
(12:51):
And he'd cried until he laughed. Poor Olive still blushed
when she thought about it. Olive went home feeling very miserable.
She decided not to go to the party, but just
then Sally called to see her. Hello, Olive, she said.
I forgot to say on the invitations that it's a
(13:13):
fancy dress party. Everyone must wear a costume. This news
made Olive very happy. Now she could join in all
the fun and games and no one would know who
she was. She wouldn't feel at all shy. Olive decided
to go to the party dressed as a ghost. She
(13:34):
closed her curtain so that no one could peep in
to see what her fancy dress outfit was going to be,
and then she set to work. Very soon her outfit
was ready. Now Olive was really looking forward to the party.
It was time for the party to begin, and one
(13:54):
by one, the Munch bunch arrived outside Sally Strawberry's house.
What a sight. They were in their fancy dress costumes already.
They were falling about, laughing at each other. This was
going to be a good party. The last to arrive was,
of course, Olive. Come on and join the fun, whoever
(14:17):
you are. Shouted the others, and before she knew it,
Olive was right in the middle of a game of
follow my Leader. In fact, she soon was the leader.
She hopped on one leg and then everyone else hopped
on one leg. What good fun they were having. Olive
was so excited. She never enjoyed herself so much before.
(14:42):
Not only was she joining in the games, she had
become the center of attraction. The next game was musical statues,
and Olive even dared to tickle Scruff gooseberry so that
he wobbled and moved when the music stopped. And then,
just as Susie Celery was about to sit down, Olive
(15:05):
crept up behind her and put her balloon on the chair. Help! Ope.
Yelled Susy as the balloon went bang. Everyone had to giggle.
Even Susie's celery joined in once she'd recovered from the surprise.
Olive enjoyed playing musical chairs very much. She was so small,
(15:26):
she found that she could easily squeeze between the others
and beat them to the empty chairs. But suddenly disaster struck.
Unknown to Olive, her ghost outfit slipped off while she
was struggling with two of the others for a chair.
Everyone could see who she was, but nobody said anything.
(15:50):
The last game of the evening was pass the parcel. Oh, no.
Thought Olive. It'll be just like last time. I'll be
too short to reach the parcel and everyone will laugh
at me again. But just then Spud walked up to her,
holding a big cushion. Here you are, miss, he said,
(16:12):
pretending not to recognize her. Sit on this cushion and
then you can join in the game, too. So Olive
even enjoyed playing Pass the Parcel that night. It was
soon time for tea. Olive usually loses her appetite when
she goes to a party. But this time she surprised
(16:33):
herself and ate a very big tea indeed. Olive was
very happy. This is the best party ever, she thought
to herself. May I please have the pleasure of this dance? Olive?
Olive turned round with a jump. It was Tom tomato,
and he'd called her by name. Olive looked down, and
(16:55):
when she saw her ghost outfit had fallen off, she
blushed all over. And soon she was nearly as red
as Tom. Yes, thank you Tom, she heard herself say,
and suddenly she was dancing round and round with Tom tomato.
The party was nearly over and everyone was getting ready
(17:18):
to leave. Goodbye, Olive, said Tom tomato. And thank you
for the dance. Goodbye, Olive, said Sally strawberry. Thank you
for making my party such fun. This was all too
much for Olive. Now that she'd lost her fancy dress costume,
she was quickly becoming her old self again. The that.
(17:41):
That's all right, she tried to say, but nothing came out.
She turned and ran home as fast as she could. Later,
when Olive was tucked up in bed, she thought about
the party. She blushed when she thought of dancing with
Tom tomato, and she wriggled with embarrassment at the thought
(18:05):
of giving Susie celery such a fright with the balloon,
but she had enjoyed herself. She decided it was the
best party she had ever been to. Hmm. I wonder
when the next party will be. She thought sleepily.
S2 (18:23):
That was our story today. Read by Geraldine. It was
called Olive and was written by Giles Reid. I hope
Olive gets to attend another party again soon.
S5 (18:34):
Um, Joe. Someone is wriggling around in my happy pants pocket. Oh.
S2 (18:39):
I think you need to let it out.
S5 (18:41):
Okay. Here goes. Oh, it's not as someone. It's a something.
It's a note written in large print. And. Yep, that's braille.
It's in braille as well.
S2 (18:51):
Oh, that's pretty cool. What does the note say?
S5 (18:53):
It's announcing the National Simultaneous Storytime says it's held every
year in May by the Australian Library and Information Association.
S2 (19:05):
Big word alert. Simultaneous. When something is happening at the
same time as something else, as in Geraldine.
S5 (19:14):
And Joe.
S2 (19:15):
Are.
S5 (19:15):
Speaking simultaneously. Each year, a picture book written and illustrated
by an Australian author and illustrator is read in libraries, schools,
child care centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places
around Australia at the same time simultaneously.
S2 (19:33):
Ooh. Ooh! I've got something wriggling in my happy pants
pocket now. Oh, yay! It's a note similar to yours. Geraldine,
let me read it to you this year. The chosen
picture book is The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel. Some
cats are house cats, some are apartment cats. But Tinker
(19:53):
is a truck cat. Tinker lives everywhere along with his
human Jacob Tinker travels roads wide and narrow, near and distant.
No matter how much they travel, home feels very far
away for both of them.
S5 (20:08):
It's a beautiful story about homes lost and found and identity.
S2 (20:16):
Big word alert. Identity. That means who or what a
person or thing is. For example, Tinker's identity is partly
about him being a cat, and will have to read
the book to find out more.
S5 (20:31):
I really want to read this story now. Hmm. The
truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel.
S2 (20:38):
I've still got a bit of my note to read.
It says you can hear the story right here on
Vision Australia Radio and in other places as part of
this year's National Simultaneous Storytime. On Wednesday, the 21st of
May at midday.
S5 (20:55):
So the same book will be read on air in libraries, schools,
childcare centres, homes and bookshops at exactly the same time
all across Australia. Or how fabulous.
S2 (21:08):
Yeah. And one last thing, Geraldine. We will also be
reading the story for you on the Happy Pants episode
later that same week.
S5 (21:17):
I don't think our Happy Pants have ever revealed in
advance what's going to be in their pockets before.
S2 (21:23):
I'd say that's a first, which makes it pretty special.
S5 (21:26):
We look forward to your company on the program on
Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th of May. And
don't forget to tune in to Vision Australia Radio at
midday on Wednesday the 21st of May.
S2 (21:39):
I'll tune in. I'll make sure my pet cat furball
Mcmuffins is snuggling on my lap. Oh, simultaneously pat him
while listening to the story.
S5 (21:51):
Nice one Joe. Now try saying simultaneous five times. Fast.
S2 (21:57):
Easy. Simultaneous. Simultaneous. Simultaneous. Simultaneous.
S6 (22:28):
V is for vision. A is for Australia. R is
for radio.
S3 (22:33):
So what have we done today?
S2 (22:36):
Well, we explored the goodies in our happy pants pocket
and found all sorts of fun party items like a
party streamer, a balloon and an invitation.
S3 (22:47):
We talked about celebrations and what they are, why they're special,
and all the different ways people can celebrate. Plus, we
added three words to our big word list tradition, pinata,
and celebration.
S2 (23:02):
We also read stories and shared what we enjoy most
about birthday parties.
S3 (23:08):
I think we're ready to celebrate any day now. Birthday
or not.
S2 (23:12):
Absolutely. Olutely.
S3 (23:14):
If there was anything in today's program you would like
to know more about, you can contact us at Radio Australia.
S2 (23:23):
Keep wearing.
S3 (23:24):
Those happy pants and we'll.
S2 (23:26):
Catch.
S3 (23:27):
You next time.
S2 (23:29):
Happy celebrating everyone!
S7 (23:42):
Happy pants is produced on the lands of the Whadjuk
Noongar people. Vision Australia Radio acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples as the first Australians and the traditional owners
of the land across our working area. We pay our
respects to elders past, present and future in maintaining their cultures,
countries and their spiritual connection to the lands and waters.
Vision Australia Radio acknowledges and respects the genuine diversity and
(24:06):
richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.
Happy pants has been made possible with the support of
the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
One, two, three. It's happy pants.
S2 (00:20):
G'day, and welcome to Happy Pants, a show especially for
kids and especially for you. My name is Joe.
S3 (00:29):
And my name is Kate. And together, we are your
happy pants team for today.
S2 (00:34):
Are you wearing your happy pants? We are today. Mine.
A sparkly with sequins. When you move in sparkly pants,
they make a soft, shimmery sound like crinkling foil or
the quiet rustle of wrapping paper. When you open a present.
S3 (00:52):
And mine a bright rainbow stripes just like a party hat.
S2 (00:57):
Happy pants have lots of pockets. Let's see what we
can find in them today, shall we?
S3 (01:03):
Well, in this pocket I found something that feels rough
and and crinkly and thin, like paper. It's very long.
It it keeps going and going and going. Oh, it's
a party streamer.
S2 (01:20):
Oh, a party streamer. Well, that's perfect for a party. Well,
check your other pocket, Kate. Maybe there's something else in there.
S3 (01:28):
Okay, so there's something long and a little bendy. It
feels kind of like a noodle, but it. But it's
made of rubber. Oh.
S2 (01:39):
Oh, that's a balloon. You can stretch it out and
blow it up for decorations. Or even twist it into
fun shapes like a balloon animal.
S3 (01:49):
Check your pockets, Joe. Maybe there's a balloon animal in there.
S2 (01:53):
Oh, okay. Let me see what I have in my pocket. Hmm. Oh,
not a balloon. I can feel something round and smooth
with a tiny stick poking out of the bottom.
S3 (02:07):
Oh, is it a lollipop?
S2 (02:09):
Ah, no. Not quite. Oh, but it does smell sweet
and sugary, though. Oh, I know what it is. It's
a cake topper. The little decoration you put on top
of birthday cakes.
S3 (02:22):
Oh, yum. Birthday cake is my favourite. And I love
chocolate cake. What kind of cake do you like?
S2 (02:30):
I like ice cream cake. It's my two favourite things together.
Ice cream and cake. You can't go wrong. But let's
see what else I can find. Oh hang on, I
can feel something flat and square like a piece of paper, but. Oh,
it's a bit thicker.
S3 (02:49):
What could that be?
S2 (02:51):
Well, it's decorated with stars and balloons and it says
you're invited in large print. I can feel the words
in Braille on there as well. Oh, it's an invitation
to a birthday party.
S3 (03:04):
I love birthday party invitations. They always make me so excited.
S2 (04:28):
Birthdays are so much fun. Do you know what I
love most about them?
S3 (04:33):
Is it the presents, the cake or the balloons?
S2 (04:36):
Well, it's all of those. But my favorite thing is
being with my friends and my family.
S3 (04:45):
Same here. Birthdays are all about having fun, making memories
and feeling special. Oh, and the party games.
S2 (04:54):
Oh, I so enjoy playing party games. Pin the tail
on the donkey. Musical chairs are. And pass the parcel.
S3 (05:03):
Pass the parcel is when everyone at the party sits
in a circle and someone plays some music. They pass
a parcel around the circle, which is sometimes wrapped in
newspaper crinkly tissue paper or pretty gift paper. Inside the
parcel are treats and goodies. When the music stops, the
person holding the parcel at the time can unwrap one
(05:27):
layer and see if they get anything before the music
starts up again, and it's time to pass it around
the circle again.
S2 (05:36):
Is there a present in each layer? Kate?
S3 (05:39):
It depends. Sometimes there are lollies or chocolates in every
single layer, with the last layer containing a big present
for the winner, but sometimes it's only the one big
present at the end.
S2 (05:50):
Oh well, I think I like it better when I
unwrap it and get a present too. Even if I
don't get a big one.
S3 (06:00):
I don't mind. It can feel disappointing, but if your
friend wins the big present this time, you might win
next time. Plus, there are so many other treats at
a birthday party, you'd soon forget all about it.
S2 (07:20):
Did you know people around the world celebrate birthdays differently?
S3 (07:25):
Really? What do they do?
S2 (07:27):
Well, in Mexico, kids, whack a pinata. Big word alert. Pinata.
A pinata is a paper mache shape. Traditionally, a donkey
that is filled with lollies and surprises. And you must
take turns hitting it with a big stick to try
(07:49):
to break it open. Because once there's a nice big
hole in it, all the lollies spill out from inside
the pinata onto the floor and you've got to be
quick to grab some for yourself.
S3 (08:01):
I've done a pinata before. It was in the shape
of a castle.
S2 (08:05):
Ooh. Well, in Brazil, it's tradition to share the first
slice of your birthday cake with the person you love
the most. Well, it might be your parent, a sibling,
or your grandparent.
S3 (08:18):
It's a tradition, something that you do all the time
with your family.
S2 (08:21):
Yeah. Kind of. Big word alert. Tradition. A tradition is
the handing down from parents to children over many years
of a culture's belief, way of thinking and action or behavior.
S3 (08:40):
Well, my family have a birthday tradition. I think whoever's
birthday it is always get to pick what's for dinner.
When it's my birthday, I always pick mom's lasagna.
S2 (08:51):
Well, at my house, when it's someone's birthday, we go
somewhere for a barbecue down at the beach or to
a park. And all our family comes along.
S3 (09:02):
Are there any other traditions you know?
S2 (09:04):
Well, in China, people eat long noodles on their birthdays.
It's called longevity noodles. They believe the longer the noodle,
the longer your life. It's eaten on birthdays and Chinese
New Year.
S3 (09:19):
That's amazing. Do they have cake too?
S2 (09:22):
Oh, sometimes. It depends on how many people come to
the party. Sometimes there are so many people. Cupcakes are
a better idea.
S3 (09:32):
How would you know how much cake you need? Oh.
S2 (09:36):
Well. Well, imagine you have a birthday cake with 12 slices.
You invite four friends to your party. If everyone, including you,
gets the same number of slices. How many slices does
each person get?
S3 (09:55):
Hmm. There's 12 slices and five people, including me. Let's
divide 12 by five.
S2 (10:05):
That's right. Kate. Let's figure it out.
S3 (10:08):
Well, 12 divided by five is two, lots of five
is ten. So that would be two whole slices, each
with two slices left over.
S2 (10:21):
Perfect. You could save those extra slices for later or
share them with your friends.
S3 (10:28):
Birthdays are special because it's a day to celebrate you.
S2 (10:32):
I love any kind of celebration, but especially if it's
about me.
S3 (10:41):
Big word alert. Celebration. A celebration is when you do
special things to honor a person or an occasion.
S2 (10:49):
You can celebrate lots of things. It could be a birthday,
a holiday, a wedding, the first day of school, or
even something exciting like winning a game or getting good news.
S3 (11:03):
Celebrating together is the best. It doesn't matter how you celebrate.
What matters is who you celebrate with.
S1 (11:11):
It's happy pants on Vision Australia radio.
S2 (11:14):
Our story today was written by Giles Reid. It's called
Olive and it's a munch bunch book. The Munch Bunch
are a group of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. One day
they ran away from the Greengrocer's shop where they lived.
They made their new homes in and around an old
forgotten garden shed. This is a story about Olive and
(11:38):
the time she attended a friend's party.
S4 (11:40):
Yay! Story time.
S5 (11:43):
Olive. Written by Giles Reid. Olive is one of the
Munch bunch. She lives in a little stone jar next
door to Sally's strawberry olives. Very small, and she's very,
very shy. One day, each of the Munch bunch received
an invitation to Sally Strawberry's party, and everyone was so
(12:05):
excited and looking forward to the fun and games. Everyone,
that is, except for Olive. You see, although Olive loves parties,
she's so shy that she just can't bring herself to
join in. She couldn't help remembering the last party she'd
been to when they were playing Pass the Parcel. Olive
(12:29):
had missed her turn every time because she was so short.
Then there was the embarrassing moment when Tom tomato had
asked her to dance. Olive had been so nervous that
when she'd opened her mouth to say yes, nothing came out.
Everyone had laughed until they cried, except for Ollie Onion.
(12:51):
And he'd cried until he laughed. Poor Olive still blushed
when she thought about it. Olive went home feeling very miserable.
She decided not to go to the party, but just
then Sally called to see her. Hello, Olive, she said.
I forgot to say on the invitations that it's a
(13:13):
fancy dress party. Everyone must wear a costume. This news
made Olive very happy. Now she could join in all
the fun and games and no one would know who
she was. She wouldn't feel at all shy. Olive decided
to go to the party dressed as a ghost. She
(13:34):
closed her curtain so that no one could peep in
to see what her fancy dress outfit was going to be,
and then she set to work. Very soon her outfit
was ready. Now Olive was really looking forward to the party.
It was time for the party to begin, and one
(13:54):
by one, the Munch bunch arrived outside Sally Strawberry's house.
What a sight. They were in their fancy dress costumes already.
They were falling about, laughing at each other. This was
going to be a good party. The last to arrive was,
of course, Olive. Come on and join the fun, whoever
(14:17):
you are. Shouted the others, and before she knew it,
Olive was right in the middle of a game of
follow my Leader. In fact, she soon was the leader.
She hopped on one leg and then everyone else hopped
on one leg. What good fun they were having. Olive
was so excited. She never enjoyed herself so much before.
(14:42):
Not only was she joining in the games, she had
become the center of attraction. The next game was musical statues,
and Olive even dared to tickle Scruff gooseberry so that
he wobbled and moved when the music stopped. And then,
just as Susie Celery was about to sit down, Olive
(15:05):
crept up behind her and put her balloon on the chair. Help! Ope.
Yelled Susy as the balloon went bang. Everyone had to giggle.
Even Susie's celery joined in once she'd recovered from the surprise.
Olive enjoyed playing musical chairs very much. She was so small,
(15:26):
she found that she could easily squeeze between the others
and beat them to the empty chairs. But suddenly disaster struck.
Unknown to Olive, her ghost outfit slipped off while she
was struggling with two of the others for a chair.
Everyone could see who she was, but nobody said anything.
(15:50):
The last game of the evening was pass the parcel. Oh, no.
Thought Olive. It'll be just like last time. I'll be
too short to reach the parcel and everyone will laugh
at me again. But just then Spud walked up to her,
holding a big cushion. Here you are, miss, he said,
(16:12):
pretending not to recognize her. Sit on this cushion and
then you can join in the game, too. So Olive
even enjoyed playing Pass the Parcel that night. It was
soon time for tea. Olive usually loses her appetite when
she goes to a party. But this time she surprised
(16:33):
herself and ate a very big tea indeed. Olive was
very happy. This is the best party ever, she thought
to herself. May I please have the pleasure of this dance? Olive?
Olive turned round with a jump. It was Tom tomato,
and he'd called her by name. Olive looked down, and
(16:55):
when she saw her ghost outfit had fallen off, she
blushed all over. And soon she was nearly as red
as Tom. Yes, thank you Tom, she heard herself say,
and suddenly she was dancing round and round with Tom tomato.
The party was nearly over and everyone was getting ready
(17:18):
to leave. Goodbye, Olive, said Tom tomato. And thank you
for the dance. Goodbye, Olive, said Sally strawberry. Thank you
for making my party such fun. This was all too
much for Olive. Now that she'd lost her fancy dress costume,
she was quickly becoming her old self again. The that.
(17:41):
That's all right, she tried to say, but nothing came out.
She turned and ran home as fast as she could. Later,
when Olive was tucked up in bed, she thought about
the party. She blushed when she thought of dancing with
Tom tomato, and she wriggled with embarrassment at the thought
(18:05):
of giving Susie celery such a fright with the balloon,
but she had enjoyed herself. She decided it was the
best party she had ever been to. Hmm. I wonder
when the next party will be. She thought sleepily.
S2 (18:23):
That was our story today. Read by Geraldine. It was
called Olive and was written by Giles Reid. I hope
Olive gets to attend another party again soon.
S5 (18:34):
Um, Joe. Someone is wriggling around in my happy pants pocket. Oh.
S2 (18:39):
I think you need to let it out.
S5 (18:41):
Okay. Here goes. Oh, it's not as someone. It's a something.
It's a note written in large print. And. Yep, that's braille.
It's in braille as well.
S2 (18:51):
Oh, that's pretty cool. What does the note say?
S5 (18:53):
It's announcing the National Simultaneous Storytime says it's held every
year in May by the Australian Library and Information Association.
S2 (19:05):
Big word alert. Simultaneous. When something is happening at the
same time as something else, as in Geraldine.
S5 (19:14):
And Joe.
S2 (19:15):
Are.
S5 (19:15):
Speaking simultaneously. Each year, a picture book written and illustrated
by an Australian author and illustrator is read in libraries, schools,
child care centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places
around Australia at the same time simultaneously.
S2 (19:33):
Ooh. Ooh! I've got something wriggling in my happy pants
pocket now. Oh, yay! It's a note similar to yours. Geraldine,
let me read it to you this year. The chosen
picture book is The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel. Some
cats are house cats, some are apartment cats. But Tinker
(19:53):
is a truck cat. Tinker lives everywhere along with his
human Jacob Tinker travels roads wide and narrow, near and distant.
No matter how much they travel, home feels very far
away for both of them.
S5 (20:08):
It's a beautiful story about homes lost and found and identity.
S2 (20:16):
Big word alert. Identity. That means who or what a
person or thing is. For example, Tinker's identity is partly
about him being a cat, and will have to read
the book to find out more.
S5 (20:31):
I really want to read this story now. Hmm. The
truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel.
S2 (20:38):
I've still got a bit of my note to read.
It says you can hear the story right here on
Vision Australia Radio and in other places as part of
this year's National Simultaneous Storytime. On Wednesday, the 21st of
May at midday.
S5 (20:55):
So the same book will be read on air in libraries, schools,
childcare centres, homes and bookshops at exactly the same time
all across Australia. Or how fabulous.
S2 (21:08):
Yeah. And one last thing, Geraldine. We will also be
reading the story for you on the Happy Pants episode
later that same week.
S5 (21:17):
I don't think our Happy Pants have ever revealed in
advance what's going to be in their pockets before.
S2 (21:23):
I'd say that's a first, which makes it pretty special.
S5 (21:26):
We look forward to your company on the program on
Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th of May. And
don't forget to tune in to Vision Australia Radio at
midday on Wednesday the 21st of May.
S2 (21:39):
I'll tune in. I'll make sure my pet cat furball
Mcmuffins is snuggling on my lap. Oh, simultaneously pat him
while listening to the story.
S5 (21:51):
Nice one Joe. Now try saying simultaneous five times. Fast.
S2 (21:57):
Easy. Simultaneous. Simultaneous. Simultaneous. Simultaneous.
S6 (22:28):
V is for vision. A is for Australia. R is
for radio.
S3 (22:33):
So what have we done today?
S2 (22:36):
Well, we explored the goodies in our happy pants pocket
and found all sorts of fun party items like a
party streamer, a balloon and an invitation.
S3 (22:47):
We talked about celebrations and what they are, why they're special,
and all the different ways people can celebrate. Plus, we
added three words to our big word list tradition, pinata,
and celebration.
S2 (23:02):
We also read stories and shared what we enjoy most
about birthday parties.
S3 (23:08):
I think we're ready to celebrate any day now. Birthday
or not.
S2 (23:12):
Absolutely. Olutely.
S3 (23:14):
If there was anything in today's program you would like
to know more about, you can contact us at Radio Australia.
S2 (23:23):
Keep wearing.
S3 (23:24):
Those happy pants and we'll.
S2 (23:26):
Catch.
S3 (23:27):
You next time.
S2 (23:29):
Happy celebrating everyone!
S7 (23:42):
Happy pants is produced on the lands of the Whadjuk
Noongar people. Vision Australia Radio acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples as the first Australians and the traditional owners
of the land across our working area. We pay our
respects to elders past, present and future in maintaining their cultures,
countries and their spiritual connection to the lands and waters.
Vision Australia Radio acknowledges and respects the genuine diversity and
(24:06):
richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.
Happy pants has been made possible with the support of
the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
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