Andy's Storytime
Follow along as I read your favorite books aloud, featuring memorable voices and helpful audio queues when it's time to turn the page. Use Andy's Storytime in addition to your family reading time, or as background entertainment during playtime.
Andy's Storytime
The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition
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In The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, one of Santa's very own Scout Elves tells the tradition of how he comes to visit children and delivers nightly reports to Santa throughout the Christmas season. It’s how Santa crafts his Nice List! Each morning the Scout Elf lands in a new spot in your home, creating a delightful game of Christmas hide-and-seek.
Intro
Andrew BantaWelcome to Andy's Storytime, a place where you can put down the screen, and pick up a book for a guided read-along. Follow along with the words in your book, and be sure to turn the page when you hear this sound.
Today we're reading The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell. Illustrated by Coë Steinwart.
The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition
Have you ever wondered how Santa could know if you're naughty or nice each year as you grow? For hundreds of years, it's been a big secret. It now can be shared if you promised to keep it. At holiday time, Santa sends me to you. I watch and report on all that you do. My job's an assignment from Santa himself. I am his helper, a friendly Scout Elf. The first time I come to the place you call home you quickly must give me a name of my home. Once you are finished, my mission can start. What will you call me—Markle or Zart? Will it be Foddle, Criddle, or Clyde? Fisbee's cute too, but you must decide. Each night while you're sleeping to Santa I'll fly to the North Pole right through the dark sky. Of course, Christmas magic helps me to be quick. I laugh with my friends and report to St. Nick. I tell him if you have been good or been bad. The news of the day makes him happy or sad. A push or a shove I'll report to "the Boss," but small acts of kindness will not be a loss. In the car, at the park, or even at school the word will get out if you broke a rule. I'll be back at your home before you awake, and then you must find the new spot I will take. You'll jump out of bed and come running to see: who'll be the first to spy little old me? Maybe the kitchen, the bathroom, or den is where you will find me, your special elf friend. I can hide on a plant, a shelf, or a frame. Where will I be? Let's make it a game. There's only one rule that you have to follow, so I will come back and be here tomorrow: Please do not touch me. My magic might go, and Santa won't hear all I've seen or I know. I won't get to tell him that you've said your prayers, or helped to bake cookies, or cleaned off the stairs. How will he know how good you have been? He might start to think you forgot about him. I can't speak to you, so says Santa Claus. All of us elves have to follow his laws. I'll listen to you. Tell me your wishes. Would you like a game or some tiny toy dishes? The gleam in my eye and my bright little smile shows you I'm listening and noting your file. The final decision with Santa now rests. What do you think? Will you get your request? The night before Christmas my job's at an end. The rest of the year with Santa I'll spend. So blow me a kiss and bid me farewell. I'll fly away when I hear Santa's bell. Of course I will miss you, but wait 'til next year. When the holidays come, I'll again reappear. Until then I wish every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy.
