Go4It

GFI is Radio 4's kids' programme. I don't listen to it often, but through my occasional dalliances with it I do know exactly what to do when I find a whale stranded on a beach.

Barney Harwood, who presents it, used to sing along to the theme tune which made it much more entertaining than nowadays when he doesn't. But I guess he has some dignity to maintain.

Tonight's programme was actually a really sensitive and careful discussion on how children cope with death, and what does and doesn't help.

Barney talked mainly to three children, two of whom were siblings who had lost their Dad, and one a girl who had lost her brother. They also had Michael Rosen on the programme, the current children's laureate, who wrote Michael Rosen's Sad Book after the death of his son. He wrote it to help himself cope, but it is a children's book which children experiencing grief can read and, judging by the reviews of the kids in the programme, is very helpful and reassuring to them. All of them, Rosen himself included, particularly loved the illustrations in the book, done by the ever-fabulous Quentin Blake.

They also talked to Milly Bell, who wrote My Daddy is Dying when she was 7 years old, in order to help other children in the same situation that she was in. Then Barney and the children on the programme asked her various questions, and her maturity when discussing her life was truly incredible.

The programme was gentle and inspiring. This adult here wishes she had the guts and wisdom of some of those kids, in dealing with death and bereavement.

Aesop's Fables: Afternoon Play

When I was a kid, my Dad used to read me these stories at bedtime, and I've recently been listening to them again, thanks to the fabulous (free downloads of public domain audiobooks) Librivox.

So, when I heard that today's Afternoon Play was to be

Aesop's Fables

Michael Morpurgo's imaginative and humorous retelling of a clutch of Aesop's best-known stories, adapted from a stage production.

I was very excited!

14:15. So far, silly songs, summing up some of the 'morals of the stories' which feature at the end of the fables.

14:20. It's a bit giddy, but fun.

14:23. Starting to do my head in. This song involves two blokes making donkey noises, and though it is to illustrate the donkey in the story, it hurts my head.

14:25. The songs are reminding me of The 15 Minute Musical. Wonder if the same people are involved?

14:29. Kindness is more important than strength.

14:29. The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg! I love this one!

14:32. I don't think the guy in the original fable wanted a big, fast, red car. But modern adaptation is quite fun. I know what he's about to do... he's so stupid!

14:35. Be happy with what you've got and look after it.

14:40. How did Little Red Riding Hood get into this?

14:42. Ooh, the wind versus the sun. Who will win? (I already know the answer... which spoils it a tad).

14:44. Interesting that they're both Italian, "Watcha this!". The sun sings chilled-out jazz, too.

14:46. Gentle persuasion is often the best.

14:47. The Hare and the Tortoise. Another fantastic nostalgic one!

14:52. Phew! I am glad the lion wasn't hungry...!

14:52. Silly, silly hare.

14:53. Go tortoise, go tortoise, go tortoise!

14:54. Speed isn't everything; there are other ways of winning.

14:55. That'll teach the Boy Who Cried Wolf! Poor sod.

14:56. Too many munchy sound effects, though I guess it made the point.

14:56. Noone believes a liar even when he's telling the truth.

14:57. Fair-Weather Friends Aren't Worth Having.

14:57. Try to please everyone, you end up pleasing noone.

14:59. The End.
If I didn't already love these stories, I suspect I would have hated this play. As it was, though it had its annoying aspects (head-hurty songs), I loved it. Better generally for kids than adults, I suspect. Silly for Christmas.

For a week, you can 'listen again' on your computer (even if it's for the first time) here. If I haven't put you off it, of course.