Next week, prominent Radio 2 presenters are set to delight families across the UK by taking part in a CBeebies Bedtime Story takeover. The week-long event will feature stories read by some of Radio 2’s most esteemed voices, aiming to inspire a love of music and the joy of storytelling.
Starting on Monday, 2 September, Jo Whiley will kick off the event with a reading of ‘Rock Stars Don’t Nap’ by Jason Perkins and Cale Atkinson, promising to soothe young listeners to sleep. On Tuesday, Scott Mills will captivate audiences with ‘What Makes a Lemur Listen’ by Samuel Langley-Swain and Helen Panayi, a tale highlighting the significance of listening.
Wednesday will feature Trevor Nelson reading ‘Whisper Shout Let it Out’ by Madhvi Ramani and Anuska Allepuz, a story that encourages children to celebrate their unique voice. On Thursday, Vernon Kay will read ‘Hip and Hop’ by Akala and Sav Akyuz, a book filled with rhythm and rhyme. Sara Cox will conclude the weekday stories on Friday with ‘Kitsy Bitsy’s Noisy Neighbours’ by Polly Faber and Melissa Crowton, adding her unique touch to bedtime storytelling.
The week will culminate on Saturday with all five presenters uniting to read ‘One Sweet Song’ by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Sonia Sánchez, a book that celebrates the unifying power of music. This special week of stories leads up to the annual Radio 2 in the Park event, which this year will be held in Preston from 6 to 8 September. The event will feature performances from top artists, including Sting and the Pet Shop Boys.
Vernon Kay expressed his excitement for the event, stating, ‘One of my favourite things to do when my kids were young was to read to them at night, so to now get the chance to read a story to the nation’s children is an utter privilege and joy.’ Sara Cox shared similar sentiments, saying, ‘It was absolutely dreamy reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story and I hope with the help of my A-Level Theatre Studies I managed to bring the book alive! When after a long, busy day you’re reading an average of three books to three kids for quite a few years it’s easy to forget the magic a bedtime story can bring. Now my kids are teenagers and too big for stories, taking part in this really reminded me of the fun and importance of a cuddled-up bedtime story.’
CBeebies Bedtime Story airs each weekday at 6.50pm on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer. Since its launch in 2002, the programme has been a favourite among families, featuring star-studded guests and inspiring a love of reading. A digital library of over 300 episodes is available on BBC iPlayer’s CBeebies channel.
The CBeebies Bedtime Story takeover by Radio 2 presenters promises a week of engaging storytelling and musical inspiration for families. As the week progresses, viewers can look forward to a heartfelt blend of tales and tunes, all leading up to the excitement of Radio 2 in the Park.