In the middle of the Velvet Forest, where the leaves feel like silk and the grass smells like sweet dreams, lived Barnaby. Barnaby was a round, blue owl. He was so soft, he looked like a little blue cloud that had fallen from the sky.
One evening, as the sun began to go 'down, down, down' and the stars came 'up, up, up,' Barnaby had a big idea. 'Hoo-hoo!' he sang. 'It is time for Moonlight School!' Do you know what you do at school? You learn and play! Barnaby grabbed his tiny yellow backpack. Can you help him close it? Pull the tab... and Zzzip!
Barnaby hopped to the first tree. 'Hoo-hoo! Pippin! Time for school!' Pippin the Squirrel poked his head out. He looked a little bit worried. 'Is school scary?' he asked. Barnaby shook his soft blue head. 'No, no! School is cozy. Just bring something you love.' Pippin found a big orange carrot. Crunch, crunch, crunch! He put it in his bag. Zzzip!
Next came Rosie the Rabbit. She had long, velvet ears that flapped when she hopped. 'Will I miss my bed?' Rosie asked with a tiny sniff. Barnaby gave her a soft owl-hug. 'Bring your fuzzy blanket, Rosie!' So, Rosie tucked in her favorite blanket. It was so soft-soft-soft. She put it in her bag. Zzzip!
Finally, they found little Milo the Mouse. Milo was small, but he had a big glow-berry that went 'blink-blink-blink' like a tiny light. He put his glowing berry in his bag. Zzzip! Now they were ready. The little friends began to walk toward the Big Hollow Oak. Tap, tap, tap went their feet on the moss.
'Look!' Barnaby whispered, pointing his wing. They reached the Big Hollow Oak. It was filled with golden light and soft moss pillows. Pippin, Rosie, and Milo realized that school wasn't scary at all. It was just a place to be together!
They opened their bags. Zzzip, pop! Pippin shared his 'crunch-crunch' carrots. Rosie spread out her 'soft-soft' blanket for everyone to sit on. Milo’s berry went 'glow-glow-glow' so they could see the pictures in their storybooks. They laughed and they learned that school is just a big, warm hug from your friends.
Barnaby the Blue Owl felt very happy. One by one, the little students began to yawn. 'Aaa-hmmm!' went Pippin. 'Aaa-hmmm!' went Rosie. They curled up together in a big puddle of soft fur and blue feathers.
Barnaby tucked his head under his wing. The forest was quiet. The school was warm. And everyone was safe. Can you blink your eyes slowly like Barnaby? Blink... blink... and sleep. And that’s how it all turned out just right.