I.B.F.Fs: Bathtime In The Pool

The Simon episode 'What A Swimming Lesson' has given me an idea for a new I.B.F.Fs story themed around the swimming pool - Bathtime At The Pool.

In this story, it's time for my bath, but I still remember my trip to the pool from earlier today. I decide to recreate it, and what starts out as an imaginary game of playing in the swimming pool turns into a fantasy that feels like the real thing that happened earlier, with all my friends and lots of fun you'd expect to find at the pool!

Scooby Doo & Tom & Jerry On iPlayer

I.B.F.Fs: Q&A

I am sorry to say that I didn't do my I.B.F.Fs and Mildred & Luella stories today due to a long-needed nap, but what I can do is tell you about a story idea inspired by today, and the song I found today.

In this story, titled 'I.B.F.Fs: Q&A', I practice the guitar for music homework on the weekend, but there's so many things to catch up on: a playdate at Simon's house with Bluey, Chloe, Honey and Indy, and a visit to the Brain Drain concert with Luke, Resus, Cleo, Nothing and Hover. At the same time, Luke has to clean his room, so he borrows Eefa's magic cleaning powder...but the same thing that happened in the first episode of 'Scream Street' happens again when Otto steals the cleaning powder and a large vacuum cleaner monster is brought to life. All three issues collide when Luke must rely on his friends - and my song - to save the neighbourhood.

What happened and what I saw today was the inspiration for the story, including the Scream Street episode 'Scream Clean', the Bluey episodes aired on ABC in Australia today - Sticky Gecko and Early Baby - and of course, Kishi Bashi's song 'Q&A' and Kina Grannis' cover version. The story shows us that problems can be solved with help from friends - and a little music of course! Watch Scream Clean on iPlayer:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06kvync/scream-street-series-1-1-scream-clean

Bluey: Sticky Gecko DVD

That's right, a new Bluey DVD has come out - Sticky Gecko. Surprisingly, there's no Dad on the cover - sorry, aspiring Bandit wannabes, but there's lots of fun adventures for Bluey and Bingo on there. Check them out!

• Bingo
• Rug Island
• Charades
• Sticky Gecko
• Dad Baby
• Mum School
• Trains 
• Army

Bingo embarks on a learning adventure while her sister Bluey is away, Dad becomes king of the jungle, the cousins learn about body language during a game of charades, Chilli learns the hard way to be a mum, Dad becomes pregnant, Bluey learns to take care of inflatable children, Bingo and Bluey go on an at-home train trip and Rusty and Jack learn about war and deployment. If you're Aussie, you should check out this DVD, or if you've seen the episodes at home, then you should check it out, but if I have to pick any favourite episode from this DVD, I'd pick Charades, but I mostly like all the episodes. There's never a Bluey episode I didn't like!

Pottsfield Uncovered

On today's issue of Pottsfield Uncovered, we find out that the new Danny & Mick episodes are airing on CBBC - and their names have been revealed! Here, we take a look after weeks and days of finding out to find out more!

• Danny and Mick make a statue for special guest Chris Kamara.
• A freshly painted mural - DESTROYED!
• Danny and Mick make a new best friend and decide to (bleep) Sharon, their new boss, off with her head!
• Danny tries out for mascot practice.
• A robot is sold at the leisure centre!
• Mick makes the most out of Wild West Wednesday at the leisure centre.
• Danny and Mick set up a crazy golf course (it was in my mind the whole time!)

If you want to find out what happens next, watch CBBC to find out more. Two years later, their potty antics at Pottsfield return to delight and entertain. Turn over the page for an exclusive juicy gossip session with their boss Sharon!

I.B.F.Fs - Pinot Grigio

I'm up to the second story in my first I.B.F.Fs book, which gently talks about the dangers of alcohol through a relaxing beach scenario and is based on the alternate name for the Bluey episode 'Hospital', which I used to see last year on Disney Junior. I miss her...(sniff).

All the I.B.F.Fs are asleep because of the salty sea air of the beach, but now it's up to me to learn about Sir Otto Sneer and his friends' drinks and their facts from Resus' mum, Bella Negative, who is taking a walk down the beach...does it remind you of the Bluey episode 'The Beach'?

I.B.F.Fs

Story Moon

Last night, I had the most enchanting dream anyone could ever have, and just in time, as Summer Camp Island is airing starting today on CBBC.

In the dream, Peg, Cat, Oscar, Hedgehog and I were excitedly awaiting the arrival of the Story Moon, a full moon which brings new ideas to writers. Suddenly, big dark snow clouds came smiling across the sky, so we had tons of fun bouncing on marshmallow clouds before we safely landed back to earth via linen parachutes. We then rewrote 'This Is The Bear' under the light of the Story Moon - because full moons can inspire stories too.

Scream Street Bites - Apology

[It's a rainy night in a motel, and lightning is flashing outside as it rains heavily. I sit on my bed, watching Luke, Resus and Cleo lounging about. I decide now's the time to tell them.]

ME: Luke! Resus! Cleo! Come here. I have something to confess.

CLEO: You mean...you're really going to....

ME: [sadly] Yes. I'm finally going to make this confession. I've waited all this time to tell you guys, and now here it is.

RESUS: Cloak, bring some tissues please. [Resus reaches into his cloak] A hankie? More..useful, I think.

ME: Well...erm....I'm so glad to have you guys in my life and in my stories. Ever since Tommy Donbavand died, I took you under my wing, and I'm so glad to have done so. My life wouldn't be complete without you, but sometimes when I think back to that Halloween when I was 15 years old, I wish I should've spent time with you instead of with my lioness cub character. Now, everywhere I look I see a writing prompt, and every time, sometimes, I'll put you guys in it. Sometimes, when you're off CBBC, one day without you feels like an eternity. No, make it a thousand years. Whenever I think about you, or Bluey, or Simon, my life feels complete.

LUKE: Who's Simon?

ME: My new rabbit friend from Tiny Pop. I made friends with him last week, and going round to his house for regular playdates in the morning and afternoon makes me feel like a kid again. Spending time with you in the morning makes me mature enough to recognise that you can make new friends but keep the old. I'm going to keep you guys in my heart forever, no matter what.

LUKE: Sybil!

RESUS: I knew you wouldn't forget us!

CLEO: We'll stay together as long as we love you forever!

[Luke, Resus, Cleo and I engage in a tearful group hug.]

ME: Friends?

LUKE: Forever.

RESUS: Whatever.

CLEO: Always.

Watch Scream Clean on iPlayer:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06kvync/scream-street-series-1-1-scream-clean

I.B.F.Fs/Simon Story Ideas

Make A Splash:

Nothing invites Luke, Resus, Cleo and me to join her at the Pride Pool, a place where all the lions in the rainforest go to hang out and splash in the cool water, but we discover there's more to natural swimming than we expected!

The Stinky Blankie:

It's Wash Day for Gaspard's blankie, but he runs away to Bluey's house and befriends Floppy, where he tells her what life must be like and all his troubles revolving around being washed.

Who's Cool Dude Now?:

When Mia and Captain boast they are better skateboarders than Luke, he decides to give up skateboarding entirely. But with encouragement from Uncle Rad, Luke decides to give it another try.

Games On The Sand:

The I.B.F.Fs and I enjoy playing on the beach, paddling in the sea, playing at being turtles on the sand and even encouraging the dads to join us in a game of 'Horsey Ride'!

Q&A

Every time I listen to Q&A by Kina Grannis, I imagine a time-lapse of various CBBC characters looking over a cliff at various happenings from CBBC history going on: Arthur, Tracy Beaker and Vlad, Mitchell, Becky and Templeton and Luke, Resus and Cleo, as morning turns to sunset turns to night. It's a bit like the end credits of the anime 'Tactical Roar'.

Two Homes: Now It's Personal!

Because Grandma isn't feeling very well, mainly because she is getting old and doddery, I'm spending another week at her house! Most of you are not lucky because you all stay home because of Coronavirus, but now, for another week, I'm away from the noise and bustle of brash old Golspie. I think I know what that means - Simon and Scream Street in the morning, stories throughout the day without noisy interruptions and living just like the children's book that explain divorce, like this one above. And, I'm getting used to sleeping in the little bed - it's so comfy. I wish it were big enough for me, Luke, Resus and Cleo, then we could all be sharing a bed again! For now, the whole world's a big writing prompt, and I'm getting back to writing stories tomorrow - you don't know what'll urge you to put your pen to a piece of paper!

When Tom & Jerry & The Lost Dragon Airs On CBBC...

Dinner With Wallace & Gromit

A slice of life story about a high school student having dinner with Britain's favourite dynamic duo!