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When the room grew quiet and the lights went out, the Lego box began to wiggle again. “Tonight’s the night!” whispered a shiny silver block. “We’re going to SPACE!” All across the room, Lego pieces clicked together faster than ever. Wings stretched out. Rocket boosters snapped on. Tall spaceships with blinking control panels rose from the floor like a launch pad. “Countdown in three… two… one… LIFTOFF!” shouted a little blue piece, pretending to be mission control. ...

Tonight, when the lights went out and the room grew quiet, the Lego box began to wiggle again. “Ready, everyone?” whispered the little red block. “It’s race night!” cheered a yellow one. With a flurry of clicks and snaps, the Lego pieces rushed to build themselves. This time, they weren’t dolphins or turtles. They were racing vehicles of every kind. First came a shiny race car with a big spoiler. Then a motorbike with tiny handlebars. An excavator with a wobbly arm joined in, along with a bright ambulance and a tall fire engine. ...

Every night, when the lights went out and the room grew quiet, something magical happened in Ben’s playroom. The box of Lego blocks — reds, yellows, blues, and greens — began to wiggle and jiggle softly. “Wake up, everyone!” whispered a tiny red block. “It’s ocean night!” squeaked a blue one. With a little click-clack and snap-snap, the blocks began to build themselves. First came two bright blue pieces that curved like fins. Then a white block became a smiling mouth. Before long, a dolphin leapt up from the floor, flicking its tail proudly. ...

The sun was blazing in the sky, and not a single cloud floated above the forest. The trees stood still, their leaves drooping from the heat. Birds hid in the shade. Streams were dry. Puddles had vanished. Flap-flap-flap! A black crow named Kuro soared over the treetops. His throat was dry, and his wings felt heavy. “Caw. I need water,” he croaked, blinking against the sunlight. “Just one drop!” He flew past sleepy owls, over dusty fields, and across a patch of thorns. But there was no sign of water anywhere. ...

One morning high above the earth, the Sun and the Wind were having a friendly argument. “I am stronger than you,” boomed the Wind, swirling around a passing cloud. “Nonsense,” said the Sun, glowing calmly. “My strength is far greater than yours.” They went back and forth until the Wind huffed, “Let’s have a contest, then. We’ll see who can make that traveller down there take off his cloak!” The Sun peered down at the little figure walking along a country road far below. He wore a thick cloak and strode along steadily, humming to himself. ...

On a quiet farm one sunny morning, Clucky the hen was scratching the ground for breakfast. Then she spotted a strange bag lying near the barn. “Peckster! Come quick!” she squawked. “The farmer’s lost a bag of tiny, round chickens!” Peckster the rooster strutted over, puffing out his chest. “A-ha! Babies without feathers! They must be my long-lost cousins.” But before Clucky could sit on them, the bag gave a wiggle. A little voice squeaked: “We are not chickens! We are chickpeas!” ...

Spiders hide in corners, dark and small, Behind the curtains or up the wall, Sometimes up a waterspout they crawl, But never in your clothes, no, not at all! They’ll never slip into your cereal bowl, Or hide inside your shoes where toes go stroll, They’re busy making webs, that’s their goal, So don’t be scared, they’re in control! They twirl and spin where no one sees, In corners and shadows and under leaves, But never, oh never, will they sneak near your knees, So let those little spiders do as they please! ...

Once upon a time, in a land long, long ago, there lived a little T. rex named Toto. Toto was a bright-eyed dino with tiny arms and a heart full of big dreams. There was only one problem. Toto did not want to go to school. Every morning, Toto’s mummy nudged him awake. “Come on, Toto. It’s time for school. All your friends are waiting.” But Toto burrowed under his cosy leaf blanket and shook his head. ...

Two friends were walking down a path in a big forest. The sun was starting to go down, and the trees were getting really tall and spooky. They were arguing about which way to go. One friend thought he knew a shortcut, but the other friend wanted to take the longer, safer path. Suddenly, they heard a loud ROAR! A huge, grumpy bear stepped out onto the path right in front of them. Its teeth, big and sharp, were clearly visible. ...

Once upon a time, during a long, hot summer, a cheerful grasshopper spent his days hopping through the fields, singing his favourite songs. He loved the warm sunshine, the sweet smell of the flowers, and the delicious taste of the juicy green leaves. All around him, he saw ants busily working. They were carrying heavy grains of wheat, tiny seeds, and other bits of food back to their anthill. “Why do you work so hard?” the grasshopper asked them, laughing. “The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and there’s plenty of food everywhere! Come and sing with me!” ...