Belle and Billy Stay at Home

Illustrations by Children of Northumberland

Click here to listen to the story

Every month when Belle’s Mummy got paid she gave Belle £5 in pocket money. The money went into her piggy bank and she saved it up to buy treats for herself in the holidays.

Billy got pocket money too, he got £1 every week and sometimes another £1 if he was kind to his friends while he was at nursery.

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Chapter 6Celebration

Billy’s Daddy was telling Billy about the olden days and about his Great Grandad. His name was Albert and he was a soldier in the war. He showed Billy some photos of Great Grandad Albert wearing his uniform pinned with big shiny medals.

“Wow that's amazing” said Billy, “I would like to have some medals Daddy.” Billy’s Daddy said “There is a special day coming up, when we take time to remember all of the men and women who fought in the war and also celebrate the day it ended, it's called VE day.” “Can we celebrate too, Daddy?” asked Billy.“Yes we can have a little party in our kitchen.” replied Daddy. 3

That night on the news there was an old man wearing medals, his name was Captain Tom. He was trying to raise money to help fight the virus.

Captain Tom was 100 years old, neither Belle or Billy had never seen anyone who is 100 years old before. Belle asked her Daddy, “Where did Tom get his medals from? I would like a medal one day too.” Tom had been a soldier like Billy’s Great Grandad. Belle’s Daddy told her “There is going to be a celebration in Blyth for Captain Tom’s birthday and also for VE day.”

All of the families on Blyth Road were trying to think of some way to celebrate VE day and also help Captain Tom, but what could they do?

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Belle’s Mummy had a think. “As we can’t go outside and meet other families, why don’t we wear red, white and blue clothes and draw lots of red, white and blue pictures as a way of celebrating?”

Belle thought that was a great idea! So Belle and Mummy sent a message to the other families on Blyth Road.

When VE day arrived Belle wore her blue, white and red stripy dress and red socks. Billy joined in too. He wore his blue trousers, white t-shirt and a red hat. They made cupcakes which they decorated with red, white and blue icing, drew pictures to remember the soldiers and both made a birthday card for Captain Tom.

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All of the families had a fun afternoon at home, they had a lovely day. Both Billy and Belle so enjoyed hearing about the olden times and how kind it was that people helped look after others, they decided to give some of their pocket money to Captain Tom for all of his hard work.

As a big surprise, Granny sent them both a homemade medal in the post after hearing how kind they had been. Both Belle and Billy put them on, they were very proud.

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Things to talk about with your child after sharing the story…

◈ What was the name of the special day?◈ Which colours did Belle and Billy wear?◈ What activities did they do to celebrate the day?◈ What did Granny send them in the post?◈ What can you do at home to celebrate VE day?

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Parents & Carers Page

Don’t forget to access lots of fun ideas and activities by clicking on the Northumberland Early Years Learning Together at Home Padlet

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What will happen in chapter 7? Continue sharing the story with your child each week to catch up with Billy and Belle.