Episodios

  • S2 Ep7: My Best Friend
    Jun 27 2025

    🎙️ New from Roger’s Rhymes: My Best Friend 🧸


    Who’s your best friend? For the little one in this gentle, funny, and heartwarming poem, it’s not a superhero or a schoolmate… it’s a teddy bear with one eye, no teeth, and lots of love.


    My Best Friend
    by Roger Hickson captures the magical bond between a child and their favourite toy. With a rhythm perfect for bedtime or car rides, this poem will have kids giggling and grown-ups smiling.


    From bath-time blunders to sweet visits to Nana, and playful afternoons with friends next door, My Best Friend celebrates the everyday adventures of childhood, and the quiet heroes who sit beside us through it all.


    🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your stories.
    📚 And don’t forget you can read along at rogers-rhymes.com



    My Best Friend
    By Roger Hickson

    Everyone has a best friend.
    Mine is my teddy bear.
    He's nearly as big as me,
    But I have longer hair.

    Although he only has one eye,
    I know that he can see.
    I look after him
    And he looks after me.

    Mummy thinks I'm still a baby.
    I'm not a baby at all now.
    The last time daddy measured me,
    I was a meter tall.

    Some days I'm not hungry.
    I don't really want to eat.
    Mummy gives my food to Teddy.
    But I know Teddy has no teeth.

    I turn and smile at Teddy,
    And Teddy smiles at me.
    He's not going to eat my food.
    He'll leave it all for me.

    On sunny days I love to
    Play out on the grass.
    Till mummy calls out to me.
    “You'll have to have a bath!”

    I climb upstairs for Teddy.
    He's lying on my bed.
    Mummy says “you can't bath him!”
    So it's a plastic duck instead.

    When we go out for a drive
    Mummy puts me in the car.
    If Teddy is ever left behind,
    I know we won't go far.

    We go to see my Nana,
    Who lives somewhere by the sea.
    I look at all the trees and cows
    And then I fall asleep.

    Nana is very good to me.
    She gives me sweets to chew.
    Then laughs when I smile and say
    “Some for Teddy too?”

    My other friend is Tommy,
    The boy who lives next door.
    Tommy is only three years old,
    While I'm nearly four.

    Tommy has a teddy.
    His name is Teddy Boo.
    I wonder why he calls him that.
    I think it's funny too.

    Mummy often says,
    “Look what I've got here!
    A little boy and girl
    With Teddy Boo and Teddy Bear!”

    When we play outside,
    We're as happy as can be.
    As teddies don't wear shoes,
    They stay inside and watch TV.

    Mummy loves to dance and sing
    To music turned up loud.
    Then lifts me and Teddy up
    And swings us round and round.

    I know Teddy is tired.
    He's lying next to me.
    Daddy reads a story
    And then we fall asleep.

    Más Menos
    6 m
  • S2 Ep6: The Dinosaurs' Big Day Out
    Jun 3 2025
    The Dinosaurs’ Big Day Out is a playful, heartwarming poem that takes you deep into the world of Eleanor; a young, friendly dinosaur with a big imagination and an even bigger heart. Through her eyes, we experience the excitement of a special day filled with games, races, music, and a few unexpected tumbles.

    This delightful story-in-verse reminds us that not all dinosaurs are scary, and not every race needs a trophy to be a win. With a touch of humour, a dash of chaos, and plenty of dino-sized fun, it’s perfect for young readers and their grown-ups to enjoy together.

    Whether you're here for a bedtime story or looking for something cheerful to share in the classroom, this dinosaur adventure promises smiles, giggles, and a gentle message about resilience, fun, and family.

    Let the stomping begin!


    The Dinosaurs Big Day Out

    Do you remember Flor,
    The young dinosaur?
    Well, I'm his younger sister.
    My name is Eleanor.

    We come from a family of nice dinosaurs.
    Although two of our uncles are very angry.
    We keep out of their way.
    They are loud and scary.

    Us dinosaurs we’re not all scary.
    We can be very friendly too.
    We like to have fun
    Just like you.

    At the end of every summer
    Is the dinosaur's big day out.
    Running races, playing games, stomping around,
    Laughing, singing and talking out loud.

    On the morning of the big day,
    I watch an old dinosaur
    Teach the young ones
    How to screech and roar.

    I don't take part.
    It's not very nice.
    I don't want to scare anyone.
    I block my ears and close my eyes.

    The Daddy and Daughter race
    Is my favourite race of all.
    It's easy for dad to carry me
    because I'm rather small.

    I climb up daddy's back.
    The race will soon begin.
    Daddy can run really fast.
    I know we're going to win.

    The other girls are worried.
    I can see it in their eyes.
    They're dinosaur Dads aren't fast like mine.
    I hope we win the prize!

    And off we go!
    The race has now begun.
    There's such a lot of noise.
    From the shouts and cheers from everyone.

    We're flying along.
    Then everybody laughs
    As I bounce off daddy's back
    And land on the grass.

    I jump up and yell out
    “Daddy, wait for me!”
    But he can't hear me.
    He's halfway off down the field.

    After dad crossed the finish line,
    He knew he wasn't going to win.
    There I was running up the field
    Trying to catch up to him.

    Daddy comes back and picks me up
    Saying, “Wipe away your tears,
    It's not the end of the world.
    We'll try again next year!”

    The racing is over now.
    The prizes have all been won.
    I didn't win anything,
    but I've had lots of fun.

    It's time to eat now
    And lie down to have a rest.
    We need to build up our energy.
    You won't believe what's coming next.

    Dad and his friends are building
    A bonfire on the sand.
    When the sun goes down,
    We're going to dance to our favourite band.

    As flames light up the sky.
    The band begins to play.
    We all jump up and stomp around.
    We've been waiting for this all day.

    Más Menos
    6 m
  • S2 Ep5: Rhythm and Blues, Reds & Yellows - Colours for Kids
    Mar 14 2025
    RHYTHM ‘N BLUES, REDS & YELLOWS
    Colours for kids
    By ROGER HICKSON

    Orange is for oranges
    My favourite fruit of all
    Hold it in your hand
    You can squeeze it like a ball.

    When you peel an orange
    You must keep your head up high
    If you forget to do this
    It will squirt you in the eye.

    Brown is a bar of chocolate
    Mummy gives me for a treat
    Only a small one though
    Too much will rot my teeth.

    Brown is also coffee
    That grownups love to drink
    They even love the smell of it
    I just think it stinks!

    Blue is the sky
    On a bright sunny day
    Look its stopped raining
    We can go outside and play.

    Lets kick the ball with Daddy
    He always wants to win
    But he can never beat us
    We’re faster than him.

    Remember that blue sky
    We were talking about before?
    Well, Daddy kicked the ball so high
    It landed in next door.

    He tried hard to get it back
    But the ball was out of reach
    Mummy said “Will you ever learn,
    You should play football on the beach!”

    Green is the grass
    That Daddy has to cut
    He mows it every week
    But it still keeps coming up.

    Why is he so happy
    When he hears its going to rain?
    “It’s far too wet outside
    It really is a shame”

    Mummy says he’s lazy
    Watching football on T.V.
    “I don’t know why you’re smiling
    There’ll be more grass to cut next week!”

    Green is the grass
    Cows and horses love to eat
    They stand around and eat all day
    Then lie down and fall asleep.

    I wish I could be like them
    And do whatever I like
    No, I’ve changed my mind
    A cow can’t ride a bike!

    Pink are little pigs
    Playing in the sun
    Running round outside
    Having lots of fun.

    Little pigs don’t realise
    They are very lucky
    They never get in trouble
    For coming home all mucky.

    Look, he’s playing in the mud
    Right up to his belly
    If I wanted to play in mud
    I’d have to wear my wellies.

    Watch him wallow in the muck
    Rolling round and round
    Is a pig truly pink?
    Or really pink and brown.

    Purple is beetroot
    Daddy loves to eat
    With cucumbers, lettuce
    Tomatoes and cold meat.

    Beetroot is good for you
    Daddy says it all the time
    But I don’t like these purple things
    He can have mine.

    Yellow are bananas
    That Mummy peels for me
    She says I eat so many
    I could be a monkey up a tree.

    My little baby brother
    Loves to eat bananas too
    But he’s only a baby
    He can’t hold them like me and you.

    One day I gave him some of mine
    I thought he wanted to be fed
    But he didn’t put it in his mouth
    He squished it up instead.

    It was all over his hands
    It was even in his hair
    He wiped it over his face
    Squished banana everywhere.

    After he was given a bath
    And bits of banana cleaned off the floor
    Mummy said I’m not allowed
    To feed my brother anymore.

    Red are strawberries
    When they’re ripe to pick
    Never eat a green one
    They’ll only make you sick.

    I love to eat strawberries
    My brothers love them too
    But brothers can be naughty
    And do what brothers do.

    Mummy made a cake for me
    With strawberries round the top
    But when she wasn’t looking
    Someone naughty picked them off.

    I ran and told Mummy
    She said to me “Don’t cry
    We’ve more strawberries in the garden
    We’ll nail them down this time!”

    White was the snowman
    We made last year
    He had a carrot for his nose
    And sticks for his ears.

    Mummy gave us a scarf
    That was a small bit torn
    To put around his neck
    To keep our snowman warm!

    Black is the dark
    When I wake up in the night
    My door is slightly open
    I can see the hallway light.

    I go to Mummy and Daddy’s room
    I love to climb in with them
    Then I cuddle up with Mummy
    And I’m off to sleep again!
    Más Menos
    6 m
  • S2 Ep4: Let's Play a Rhyming Game
    Feb 21 2025
    Come now my little bunny.
    It's time to go to bed.
    We'll read some nursery rhymes.
    Then you can rest your sleepy head.

    We'll read about the pussycat
    Who creeps around the house.
    And read about the mummy
    Who's frightened of a mouse.

    But I'm not really tired.
    I don't want to go to bed.
    Can we play that game of
    Rhyming words instead?

    Of course we can.
    Now let me see.
    We'll start with something simple.
    What word rhymes with B?

    Knee! Mummy.
    That's an easy one for me.
    Remember the day I got
    A bee sting on my knee?

    Yes, I remember that day well.
    It was sunny and very hot.
    You were playing outside
    While your sister was in her cot.

    Now tell me,
    What word rhymes with boat?
    If it starts raining today,
    I'll have to wear my coat.

    Very good. Let's do a hard one.
    What word rhymes with lesser?
    I know, I was sick last week,
    But now I'm feeling better.

    What rhymes with dress?
    I know mummy.
    Every day you say.
    My bedroom is a mess.

    Mummy, I have a funny word.
    There's one we can do.
    Let's see if we can find a word
    That rhymes with poo.

    Poo, you silly Billy!
    What a word you had to pick.
    Of all the words out there.
    Come on, find another one, quick.

    Mummy poo is better
    Than the other words we've done.
    It rhymes with lots of words.
    Poo is a funny one.

    I know so many words
    That rhyme with poo.
    Words like you shoo, zoo, b
    Boo, goo and who.

    When cows talk to each other.
    All they say is moo.
    I really like that word
    Because it rhymes with poo.

    I don't want to go to sleep.
    I want to play with you.
    This has been a great game.
    Finding words that rhyme with poo!

    Más Menos
    4 m
  • S2 Ep3: The Mermaid
    Jan 31 2025
    Dive into the enchanting world of "The Mermaid," a captivating poem by Roger Hickson that will whisk you and your children away on an unforgettable ocean adventure. Join a spirited young mermaid princess from Sunny Island as she navigates the wonders and challenges of the deep sea. Through her journey, she encounters friendly sea creatures, faces unexpected storms, and discovers the warmth of human kindness upon an unfamiliar shore.

    The Mermaid

    Where am I?
    What has happened to me?
    Oh, yes, I remember now.
    I've been blown across the sea.

    I'm a mermaid.
    A girl with a big fish tail.
    I don't have legs and feet like you.
    But I can swim with whales.

    I come from Sunny Island.
    A land far across the sea.
    The land where mermaids live.
    Who all have tails like me.

    My daddy is the king of Sunny Island.
    And mummy the queen.
    She is the prettiest mermaid
    You have ever seen.

    My friends call me princess.
    That name is silly to me.
    I'm just a normal mermaid
    Who wants to swim beneath the sea.

    It might look strange to you,
    But my tail is a big part of me.
    It gives me so much power
    To glide gently through the sea

    As I swim under water.
    I see fish below.
    I like to think they are talking to me,
    Smiling and saying hello.

    One day I went swimming
    Along the ocean floor.
    I went so far down.
    Unknown to me on the surface was a raging storm.
    I tried to swim home
    As dark clouds filled the sky.
    I couldn't see where I was going.
    The waves were too high.

    You can't swim against a rough sea.
    So I let the waves carry me along.
    Across the ocean.
    Far away from where I belong.
    I think I fell asleep

    When I opened my eyes.
    I had reached the shore.
    Lying on a beach I'd never seen before.

    As the sun came up
    In the early dawn.
    The cold went away.
    I began to feel warm.

    I stretched out my arms
    And looked out at the sea.
    Where is the strange place
    The storm has blown me?

    After a few days
    I met people on the sand.
    They were nice and kind to me.
    I think I like this land.

    Children kept pointing at my tail.
    They'd never seen a mermaid before.
    They touched my hair.
    Puzzled by this creature washed up on the shore.

    They lay on the sand with me
    And stroked my tail.
    Then one girl called out.
    Will you teach us to swim today?

    Come on, children,
    Let's play in the water.
    You can say you were taught to swim
    By the King’s only daughter.

    Never go out of your depth.
    You must be careful.
    Now put your heads in the water.
    Don't be fearful.
    Turn your head to the side
    And breathe in slowly.
    Then watch what I do.
    Blowing out bubbles below me.

    If you get tired,
    Roll over and float on your back.
    Quietly kick your legs.
    You'll be safe doing that.

    I've made so many friends here,
    Down on the beach.
    Mums and dads. Boys and girls.
    So many I've tried to teach.

    When I want to be on my own.
    I swim to a secret beach.
    It's a special place
    that people can't reach.

    With the rocks around me
    And the cliffs up there.
    I have it all to myself.

    So I sit on the sand and brush my hair.

    I will return to my homeland.
    When winter comes
    And the sea gets colder.

    Far, far away.
    The sea will be warm.
    I'll feel the sun on my shoulders.

    Más Menos
    8 m
  • S2 Ep2: Barto’s Band
    May 10 2024
    Special thank you to all the performers in Barto’s Band:

    Barto - Percussion & vocals
    Roger - Vocals
    Jonas - Vocals
    Nova - Vocals
    Rick - Vocals and coaching

    Barto’s Band

    My name is Barto.
    I live in the old town,
    High up on the hill
    With my mummy and daddy
    In a land called Portugal.

    There are lots of kids
    On our street.
    We like to be outside
    Playing football
    ‘Till it's time to come inside.

    I love to hear music.
    I stamp my feet
    And clap my hands.
    With friends of mine in school
    We formed a marching band.

    Our teacher helps us
    Learn the tunes.
    We practise everyday.
    Kids from school hang around.
    They like to hear us play.

    Teacher said
    In class today
    Our little band in school
    Is the first marching band
    In all of Portugal.

    I love playing my drums.
    I've spent so many nights
    Dreaming of the day
    When I play the drums
    In the summer parade.

    I wake up early.
    The day is finally here
    As the sun rises in the sky
    I'm so excited.
    The parade is on tonight.

    We meet up outside our school.
    There is so much laughing and talking.
    No one is standing still.
    We must calm down now and stand in line
    And get ready to walk up the hill.

    In front of us
    Girls are waving flags
    Coloured white and black
    With the flute players in the middle
    And the drummers at the back.

    Teacher calls out to us,
    “Are we ready, girls and boys?
    Let's give the town a treat.”

    Come on everybody now!
    One. Two. Three!

    We make a lot of noise.
    There are three drummers in our band.
    Maria, Miguel and me.

    Come on everybody now!
    One. Two. Three!

    People line the road.
    They shout and wave at us
    As we march along the street.

    Come on everybody now!
    One. Two. Three!

    We march up and down the hill.
    Then back beside the river
    That flows down to the sea.

    Come on everybody now!
    One. Two. Three!

    We pass by mummy and daddy.
    I don't hear them calling me.

    Come on everybody now.
    One. Two. Three!

    We cross the main road
    And stop outside the school.

    “Let's shout out loud one more time.”

    Come on everybody now.
    One. Two. Three!


    Más Menos
    5 m
  • S2 Ep1: Rosemary: The Wildflower Fairy
    May 3 2024
    Rosemary Birds sing in the trees above me.
    Bees and butterflies hover among the flowers.
    In the warm summer air,
    I could sit here for hours.

    Alone with my book,
    I'm in a world of my own.
    I've been here all day.
    The time has flown.

    Suddenly something lands on my hand.
    A beautiful creature, a child-like thing.
    She has curly hair and a pretty face.
    On her back, a pair of wings.

    “I don't mean to frighten you.
    Can I sit on your arm? My name is Rosemary.
    I live in the trees by the stream.
    I'm a wildflower fairy.”

    “I often see you reading alone.
    Would you like to come with me,
    And meet my friends today?
    We're having a party in the wildflower field.”

    “I would love to.
    Are you sure your friends won't mind?
    Fairies are delicate and small.
    I'm so big, I must look like a giant!”

    “Don't worry”, said Rosemary.
    We might be small,
    But we have many friends like you.
    Boys and girls, all of them tall.”

    “Leave your book here
    And come with me.
    You'll meet my friends
    In the wildflower field.”

    I walked through the long grass
    with rosemary leading the way.
    I'm so excited. I can't believe
    I'm going to a fairy party today.

    After a while we reached the stream,
    Then walk along towards the trees.
    Suddenly I can hear music
    Drifting along in the breeze.

    We slow down and tiptoe
    Into the wildflower field.
    Wait here, says Rosemary.
    My heart is pounding. I can hardly breathe.

    One by one they appear
    All smiling and saying hello.
    Please come and dance with us
    Down where the daisies grow.

    Fairies and elves hold my hand
    As we sit down on the ground.
    The band of elves begin to play.
    Music fills the air. Oh, what a beautiful sound.

    The fairies are holding hands.
    Everyone singing out loud.
    I sit here clapping my hands
    As they go dancing round and round.

    Many of the fairies aren't wearing shoes.
    It's amazing watching them dance.
    They kick their legs up in the air.
    Their feet barely touch the grass.

    Wearing brightly coloured clothes
    With wings of a matching colour.
    The elves wear shoes with pointy toes
    As they dance with one another.

    The dancers slow to take a rest.
    Someone calls out, “It's time to eat.”
    We gather around as bowls are laid out,
    Filled with honey and berries, “Oh, what a treat.”

    Our tummies are full so we all lie down
    After a sleep, it's time to dance again.
    “Come on!”, says Rosemary. “Dance with us!”
    “Human or fairy, when we dance, we're all the same.”

    I'm feeling tired now.
    It's time to go home.
    I've made so many friends tonight,
    I'll never again be alone.

    The fairies were so nice to me.
    Bringing me into their world.
    I have lots of new friends.
    I'm such a lucky girl.

    Rosemary has a surprise for me.
    She sprinkles fairy dust into my hair.
    Wow, what's happening?
    I'm flying through the air!

    “Don't worry”, says Rosemary,
    “I'm here with you.
    Hold my hand.
    We'll be home soon.”

    We fly above the wildflowers,
    Then over the trees,
    Above the stream,
    And over the fields.

    After a few minutes,
    My home is in sight.
    We land in the garden.
    I'm shaking with delight.

    “Rosemary! Rosemary,
    What have we just done?
    You let me fly through the air.
    I've never had so much fun.

    I must go inside now.
    The sun is going down.
    I'll see you again tomorrow
    And go back to the new friends I've found.

    I go upstairs,
    I lay my head on the pillow.
    There is a tapping sound outside.
    It's Rosemary by my window.

    I jump out of bed
    And open the window slowly.
    “Come in Rosemary, come in.
    Lie down with me. You must be sleepy.”

    Rosemary soon falls asleep in my arms.
    I pull a quilt up to keep her warm.
    I wonder, will I see her again?
    I know she'll fly away with the dawn.

    Tread carefully through the long grass.
    That's where I first met Rosemary.
    Where birds are singing, wildflowers swaying.
    You could meet your own wildflower fairy.



    Más Menos
    8 m
  • S1 Ep9: Ten More Sleeps 'Till Christmas
    Dec 8 2023
    There's only ten more sleeps ‘till Christmas.
    Santa is on his way
    With lots of toys for boys and girls.
    I can't wait for Christmas Day.
    The elves have been busy working hard all year.
    They must be very glad that Christmas time is here.

    Nine more sleeps ‘till Christmas.
    Daddy got our tree today
    And bought new lights at the shop.
    I helped with the decorations around the bottom.
    He did the ones around the top.
    You should see our Christmas tree in the corner of the sitting room.
    It has lots of sparkling lights.
    There'll be presents under it soon.

    Eight more sleeps ‘till Christmas.
    I hope Santa got my letter.
    I told him what I'd like.
    “Could the elves make a doll for me?
    And I'd really like a bike.”
    Mummy marks the sleeps off the calendar on the wall.
    Eight sleeps seem a long time.
    I don't understand it at all.

    Seven more sleeps ‘till Christmas.
    It’s getting closer by the day.
    I wish Christmas was tomorrow.
    It seems such a long way away.
    Mummy, are you sure Santa knows where I live?
    I said we lived up the hill at number 44, but I'm worried mummy.
    He might give my presents to the boy next door.

    Six more sleeps ‘till Christmas.
    We're learning hymns for our school Christmas play.
    Daddy says he can't wait to see me on the stage.
    I have to dress up as an angel.
    My best friend is going to be Mary.
    She has to be out the front with Joseph.
    I'd find that a small bit scary.

    Five more sleeps ‘till Christmas.
    The play is on tonight.
    Our mommies and daddies will be looking at us.
    We have to do it right.
    I'll wear a white dress with sparkling things in my hair.
    All our class will be on stage.
    I hope they'll see me there.

    Four more sleeps ‘till Christmas.
    There's only a few days to go.
    It's getting cold outside now.
    The garden is covered in snow.
    Santa doesn't mind what the weather is like.
    He can land a sleigh anywhere.
    He can land on grass or snow.
    The reindeer don't care.

    Three more sleeps ‘till Christmas.
    Mommy, are you sure Santa knows where I live?
    I told him in my letter.
    Our house is up on the hill.
    There's no need to worry, dear.
    Santa knows where all the children live.
    There are times I wish my memory was as good as his.

    Two more sleeps ‘till Christmas.
    Santa will soon be here.
    Mummy will leave out a carrot for Rudolph
    And for Santa, a glass of beer.
    When Santa comes down our chimney
    He’s going to be dirty from head to foot.
    Mummy move the crib back
    Or baby Jesus will get covered in soot.

    One more sleep ‘till Christmas.
    I'm not going to bed tonight.
    I'm going to stay awake till Santa comes.
    I'll sleep tomorrow night.
    Wake up! Mummy, Daddy!
    Look! Look what I got.
    Well, aren't you a lucky dear?
    But will you go back to bed now?
    It's only six o’clock.


    Más Menos
    6 m