“Do you know what it says on the very first page of our website?” the Little Book Bird asked the Wise Owl when they met the next morning.
“No, I haven’t had the chance to look through it properly yet,” the Wise Owl replied, adjusting his glasses. “But if you already know, please tell me what it says.”
“It says: ‘children’s activity books with stories and story-based online games’,” the Little Book Bird burst out. “And do you know what that really means?”
“I think I do,” the Wise Owl answered cheerfully. “It means books about our journeys, where children don’t just read the stories but also complete hands-on activities. In the first book about birds, there are colouring pages and cut-out activities. Remember how we took photographs during our travels, and some of them were torn? Now readers restore them in the book – they find the right pieces, cut them out, glue them back together, and colour them. And at the end of the book there is…”
“Yes, yes, I know that!” the Little Book Bird interrupted impatiently. “But that’s not what I mean!”
“Then what do you mean?” the Wise Owl asked, puzzled.
“I mean BOOKS.”
“I thought we were talking about books. Activity books with tasks, right?”
“No,” chirped the Little Book Bird briefly.
“Now I’m completely lost. If not the books, then what? The online games that continue the stories?” the Wise Owl asked again.
“No. I’m talking about BOOKS. Not just one book where we travel, but books – plural.” The Little Book Bird closed her eyes and held her breath. “It means another journey. And another. And many, many more journeys ahead!” she blurted out in one breath and began hopping excitedly on her tiny feet.
“There are journeys waiting for us! So many journeys! That’s what ‘children’s activity books with stories and story-based online games’ really means! There will be more books. And if there are more books… we’ll keep travelling!” the Little Book Bird chirped joyfully, spinning in circles.
“Now I understand,” the Wise Owl laughed. “You’re right. Many new journeys are waiting for us. Then we’d better start preparing.”