Kate Winslet will be delighting young viewers of CBeebies Bedtime Stories on December 19
(Picture: BBC)Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet is one of the stellar line-up of stars who will read stories on CBeebies over Christmas and the New Year.
On December 19, the Titanic favourite will be seen reading Grumpycorn, written and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre – a story celebrating teamwork, friendship and the joys of storytelling.
It tells the story of Unicorn, who wants to write the most fabulous story in the world but has no idea what to write. When his underwater friends try to join in, he turns into a Grumpycorn, but despite his rude behaviour his kindly friends don’t give up on him and work together to help him out.
Boxer Anthony Joshua is also appearing on the much-loved children’s show in the run up to Christmas.
On December 22, Joshua reads the classic children’s book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats about a little boy named Peter who puts on his snowsuit and steps out of his house into a world blanketed in snow.
When the story was first released in 1962, Peter was among the first African-American characters to be featured in a major children’s book. Keats’ illustrations helped to pave the way for more inclusive and diverse children’s literature.
Previously announced Christmas CBeebies Bedtime Story readers include actor Richard E. Grant, who reads The Snowflake by Benji Davies on Friday 23 December. On Christmas Eve, Mr Tumble star Justin Fletcher reads The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, which is also available on the CBeebies Storytime App.
On New Year’s Day, French pop phenomenon Christine and The Queens takes to the stage of the Royal Festival Hall, sitting in a suspended crescent moon to tell the story of a polar bear who has a new job as a moon keeper. On Sunday 1 January, he reads The Moon Keeper written and illustrated by Zosienka about friendship, the phases of the moon and how it’s OK that in life, things come and go.
On January 4 (World Braille Day), Paralympian Lora Fachie returns to CBeebies Bedtime Story to read in braille.
She reads The Black Book of Colours, written by Menena Cottin and illustrated by Rosana Faria, about experiencing a rainbow of colours through our senses of touch, taste, smell or hearing.
CBeebies Bedtime Story airs daily at 6.50pm and on BBC iPlayer.
The schedule is:
Monday December 19 – Kate Winslet
Tuesday December 20 – Suranne Jones
Wednesday December 21 – Tom Hardy
Thursday December 22 – Anthony Joshua
Friday December 23 – Richard E. Grant
Saturday December 24 – Justin Fletcher
Sunday December 25 – Mark Bonnar
Saturday December 31 – Vicky McClure
Sunday January 1 – Christine and The Queens
Wednesday January 4 – Lora Fachie
