Nell's Ready Game
A story about being brave when everyone is watching. A picture book for ages 3 to 6, by Arden Vale.
Nell is a little echidna who loves to drum on a hollow log. When nobody is watching, her drumming bounces up to the treetops. When everyone looks at her, her tummy goes wobbly and she curls into a tight, spiky ball. So before the end-of-summer bush concert, Nell makes up a game. She plays it with an ant, with Mo the wombat and with Nana. Then she plays it under the moon, in front of the whole bush.
Play Nell's Ready Game
- Dig your feet in the dirt.
- Take three slow sniffs and puffs.
- Find one friendly face.
- Tap one little tap.
If you curl up, that's all right. You can uncurl when you're ready.
Who it's for
Children aged 3 to 6, and the grown-ups who stand them up in front of others: early-years and music teachers, parents before a concert, a show and tell, a recital or the first day. Children can join in with the drum refrain as you read aloud (Tok, tok, tok-a-BOOM!), then play the game together on the last page.
Take a look inside
Get the book
- Paperback, 32 pages, 8.5 x 8.5 inUS$9.99 on amazon.com, A$16.99 on amazon.com.au
- Kindle, fixed layoutUS$3.99
Coming to Amazon. These links search for the book until its page is up.
Free printable
A poster of the four steps with Nell, and a sheet to colour in. A4 and US Letter, both free to print for your home or classroom.
Please print and share the pages as they are, with the book's name on them.