Ryers Readers - February 2024 Bonus Episode!

Episode Date: February 1, 2024

Hello February! I am so excited to share all the fun things to celebrate, throw a challenge your way, and of course….story time!

this. A big hug and a high five to all the Ryer's readers listeners. Welcome to your February bonus episode. We have a lot of stuff to get into today. But before we get started, are you ready for the silly joke of the day? What did the tree say to the lumberjack? I'm falling for you. And we're back. Happy February! There are always reasons to celebrate, and this month I found a whole bunch of fun, small holidays we can all take part in to add some celebrations to the month of February.

Mark your calendars, because here are a few of the special days coming up that you can enjoy. February 2nd is Groundhog. day. February 4th is Thank your Mailman Day. February 9th is Pizza Day. February 11th is Make a Friend Day. February 14th is Valentine's Day. February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day. February 20th is Love Your Pet Day. And February 29th is Leap Day. Yes, 2024 is a leap year, which means that this month has an extra day in it. What fun holidays will you be celebrating? You know I will definitely be celebrating Pizza Day.

I'm looking forward to Random Acts of Kindness Day and Valentine's Day as well. I would love to know if you participate in any of these fun holidays this month. Maybe leave a nice letter or picture in your mailbox for your mailperson on the 4th, or give your pet an extra little hug and a treat on the 20th. However you celebrate, I hope this February is filled with fun. And we're back. At the beginning of every month, I'm going to give you all, a monthly challenge. Are you ready to hear your challenge for the month of February?

As I mentioned, February 14th is Valentine's Day, but I think we can celebrate all month long instead of just for one day. This month, I challenge you to a Love Your Community Challenge. During the month of February, find ways to show acts of kindness throughout your daily life. You could help neighbors or classmates, or even just write a kind note or picture. Spreading positivity is a great way to spread love through your community. You could create art for local spaces like libraries, parks, and shops. You can also ask your grown-up to see if there are a lot of people. any free community library boxes in your town. Gather up some books you no longer need and drop them off

in your community library box so that other kids can enjoy those stories. Something as simple as a positive and friendly sidewalk chalk message can really brighten up someone's day. I would love to hear all about how you did on this month's Love Your Community Challenge. Good luck and I hope you all become a monthly challenge champion. And we're back. Can you guess what time it is? If you guessed story time, you did it! Today we are going to read The Littlest Valentine by Brandy Doherty. The Valentine was a girl. She lived with her family in a big city. There were many people

in Emma's family, but she was the littlest one. It was almost Valentine's Day, and Emma was excited. After all, her family's name was Valentine. Valentine's Day was their favorite holiday. The Valentine's owned a gift shop where people bought Valentine's Day gifts and treats, and this year, Emma would join the family business. She couldn't wait to help Emma joined her brother Elliot with the heart-shaped balloons. There wasn't enough air in her little lungs to fill a balloon. Emma, are you okay? Elliot asked.

You don't look so good. I'm fine. Emma weised. You're too little to help with the balloons. Elliot replied, try making cards instead. Parents were in their workshop making Valentine's Day. cards. I'd like to make a card, Emma whispered. She picked up a small scrap of pink paper and got

to work. How's this? she asked, holding up her creation. That's very cute, sweetheart, Emma's mom said, but I'm afraid it's kind of small. Want to try again? Her dad asked. Or you could help Nana and Poppy. Emma decided to go see her grandparents in the kitchen. Hello, Emma! Poppy boomed when she arrived. Here to make some chocolates? Yes, I am, Emma smiled. She had a good feeling about chocolate making. Nana showed Emma how to squeeze the chocolate into a tray.

Emma squeezed, but nothing happened. She squeezed harder. The tiniest drop of chocolate oozed out. Poppy handed Emma a truffle. You should try balloons, he offered. I already did. Emma sighed. Ma stomped outside.

She was sad and a bit grumpy. Emma knew there had to be one Valentine job she could do, even if she was little. Then, Emma heard a noise. There on the other side of the fence was a puppy. He looked sad and a bit grubble. grumpy. And he was little, just like Emma. Emma approached the fence, but the puppy backed away. He was muddy and wet, and he didn't have a collar.

It's okay, Emma said gently. Emma ran inside and came back with a small bowl of food. The puppy came right over. He was hungry. She opened the gate, the puppy was. walked to the bowl to eat. Emma smiled. Nana and Poppy came out to see what was keeping Emma so busy. Can we keep him? Emma asked her grandparents. Maybe, said Nana.

Let's call the animal shelter first and make sure no one is looking for him. Emma led the puppy into the house. She ran a warm bath with extra bubbles while Nana called the animal shelter. Emma scrubbed and scrubbed. Soon he was shiny and clean. Nana came in. Looks like this puppy needs a home. Emma smiled.

Your name is Eek, she told the puppy, and you live here now. Eek wagged his tail happily. Emma found a thick red ribbon with hearts on it to tie around Eke's neck. The ribbon reminded her that it was almost Valentine's Day. Then she had an idea. Come on, Eek, we've got work to do.

Emma went into the kitchen and asked Nana and Poppy for help. They set to work making heart-shaped dog treats. Eek was the taste tester. Before long, the whole Valentine family was gathered in the kitchen, filling bags of treats for the gift shop. Emma's dad set up a stand in the corner of the shop for Emma and Eek to sell their treats.

The treats were a huge hit with customers, especially the furry ones. What a wonderful idea, Emma's mom said. What made you think of it? Everybody needs a little love on Valentine's Day, Emma replied. Emma had found her special Valentine job after all, but more than that, she had also

found a special friend. The end. Thank you for joining me. I had so much fun on this bonus episode and I hope you did too. Don't forget to work on your monthly challenge and become a monthly challenge champion. Bye friends.