You’re getting to be a big boy. I’m just a kid, each day. My world is turning, changing each day. With Mommy and Daddy, I’m finding my way. Growing up is not so tough, except when I’ve had enough. There’s lots of fun stuff. That’s me, clowning around. Clowning around.
Now we have rivers, we can make lots of rivers. Caillou, Leo, you have to get ready now. Leo, your parents are here to pick you up, but we’re playing, we’re making rivers. I know, but it’s time to go over to Grandma’s. But I want to stay and play with Leo.
I’m sorry, Caillou, but we really have to go. Now I have to take Rosie to the doctor for a checkup, and you’re going to visit Grandma. Caillou was very disappointed that he couldn’t stay and play in the backyard with Leo.
“Hello, Caillou.” “Hi, Grandma.” Caillou was still wishing he could have kept playing with Leo. “Would you like to go out and play in the backyard? Is there something upsetting you today?” “I wanted to stay at home with Leo. You have fun playing with Leo, don’t you? He’s my friend.” “Well, is there something else you would like to do? I know, I borrowed a book from the library yesterday. I thought we might read it together. Okay.”
At first, Caillou wasn’t really interested in the book. It wasn’t as exciting as playing with Leo in the backyard. But Caillou soon found the book more interesting. Caillou and Grandma read the book about the clown festival. Caillou enjoyed the book so much he forgot all about wanting to play with Leo. “I like the clown party book, Grandma.” “You do?”
“Well, why don’t we have a clown party of our own right here? But where will we get the clowns?” “We’ll make puppet clowns.” Caillou loved making things with Grandma.
“Hello, Grandma.” First, they glued orange wool on the top of a bag for the clown’s hair, and already Caillou got some ideas. “I’m going to color this clown with green polka dots, and the other clown with red polka dots.” And while Caillou colored the clowns, Grandma started to make a puppet theater for the puppets. She cut up a big cardboard box.
“This is fun! We can make a clown dog too.” “Hello, Grandma. My name is Papadu the clown.” “Grandma, Caillou, we’re back!” “Hello! My name is Papadu, and I can’t find my dog. Woof woof woof. Anyone seen my dog? Here, doggy, here, doggy. What’s doggy?” “Very good! Encore! Encore! Yay!”
“You can have Leo over all day tomorrow, Caillou.” “Yay.”
“We can play puppet clowns. Read all about it! Read all about it!” Caillou was having fun playing with his drum and making a lot of noise. Caillou was making so much noise that he couldn’t hear his mommy asking him to be quiet. “Caillou, come down here, please.”
“Hi mommy, I’m playing with my drum.” “Yes, I can hear that, but I’m reading now, and I would appreciate it if you were quiet, okay?” “What are you reading?” “A very good book.” Caillou loved it when mommy read to him. “Can you read it to me?” “Well, this is a grown-up book, and I don’t think it’ll interest you all that much. But I’m on my last page, it’ll just take me a moment, and then we can read one of your books together, okay?”
Caillou didn’t feel like looking at his books. He wanted mommy to read him a new story. “Are you finished yet?” “They’re all done. Have you chosen a book for us to read?” “I want a new story.” “Well, I know exactly the place where we could find all sorts of news stories. At the library, can we go, mommy?” “Sure, I have to return this one today. That’s why I was in a hurry to finish it.” Caillou was very happy to be going to the library with his mommy. “Hurry, mommy, I want to get a book too.” “Shh, Caillou, you have to be quiet in the library.”
Caillou had been to the library before, but he forgot that he was supposed to be very quiet. “There are a lot of people that come here to read and work. We have to be quiet so we don’t disturb them, okay?” “Can I get a book now?” Caillou knew there was a different floor where they had all sorts of picture books, and he was in a big hurry to get there. “I know where the picture books are, mommy.” “Then lead the way.” “You certainly do know your way around, Caillou.”
Caillou loved looking at all the colorful books. There were so many, it was hard to choose which one he would borrow. “Hello, Caillou! What a nice surprise! Look, Caillou, it’s Clementine’s mommy. I didn’t know you worked here.” “I volunteer once a month for story time. In fact, it’s just about to start. Would you like to come and sit with us, Caillou?” “Can I, mommy?” “Of course you can. I’ll go browse around for a new book. I’ll be back later, okay?”
“Would you like to help me choose the story for today?” “Can we read this one? ‘Baxter the Bashful Bear’.” “That’s an excellent choice.” Clementine’s mom first read the story about Baxter the Bashful Bear. Then she read another story, and then another. They were all new to Caillou, and he thought they were wonderful. “The end.” “Did you all enjoy the stories? I see that story time was a success. Baxter is very funny.” “Mommy, you can tell me all about him on our way home.” “I don’t want to go. I want to stay and look at the books.” “Would you like to take these ones home with you, Caillou? When you bring them back, you can choose some news stories for story time, okay?” “Okay.” “Now, take very good care of them so the other children can read them after you’re done.” “Daddy, look, I have new books! And you have your own library card too.” “We had story time with Clementine’s mommy, and she read stories about Baxter the Bashful Bear. That sounds like a lot of fun!”
Can you read them to me? I sure can.
Over the next few days, Caillou read his new books over and over with Mommy and Daddy, and Rosie too. In fact, he had read them so often that he forgot they were only borrowed until it was time to return them to the library.
“Caillou, come on, we’re going to the library,” said Mommy.
“Okay, Mommy. Don’t forget to bring back the books you borrowed,” Caillou replied.
Caillou had accidentally colored on one of the books that belonged to the library. He didn’t mean to do it, but now he was afraid of bringing them back.
“I’ll meet you here right after story time, Caillou,” Mommy assured him.
“Hello, Caillou. I was hoping you’d come back soon,” said the librarian.
“Did you come to return the books you borrowed?” she asked.
Caillou was worried that Clementine’s mom would be upset when she saw the book with the crayons scribbled on it. “Can I keep them?” he asked.
“Wouldn’t you rather take some new ones instead?” the librarian suggested. “I’ll tell you what, if you return the Baxter books, you can borrow this one about the ten little piglets. We’ll be reading about them at story time today.”
Caillou showed the librarian the book with his drawing on it. “Is this your drawing, Caillou?” she asked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” Caillou replied, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Don’t cry, there’s no harm done. You’re not mad at me?” Caillou asked.
“No, these books can take a little punishment. They clean right up,” the librarian reassured him. “And besides, it was an accident, right?”
“It’s all gone,” Caillou said, relieved.
“I can tell you’re very good with crayons. Would you like to draw something that we can put up on the wall in the library?” the librarian asked.
“I’m going to draw Baxter the bear,” Caillou said excitedly.
“Mommy, we read a story about the ten little piglets. The story must have been very funny, and Clementine’s mommy put my drawing up on the wall,” Caillou told his mom.
“That’s wonderful, Caillou. Let’s bring your books to the counter so we can take them home,” Mom said.
“I want to do it,” Caillou said eagerly.
Caillou was happy to take home a new book again, and this time he would be extra careful with it.
“Goodbye, Caillou. See you soon,” the librarian said.
“Mom for a Day”
“I have to go to a business meeting, and I won’t be home until very late. Do you think you could help Daddy while I’m gone, Caillou?” Mom asked.
“Yes, Mommy,” Caillou replied.
“No, Daddy! What’s wrong, Caillou?” Daddy asked.
“Mommy never puts cheese on Rosie’s macaroni. She doesn’t like it,” Caillou explained.
“Juice, Daddy!” Rosie chimed in.
“Oops, I forgot. You’re absolutely right, Caillou. What would I do without your help?” Daddy said.
“Hmm, what about Gilbert? What’s his routine, Caillou?” Daddy asked.
“Make sure he has fresh water and food,” Caillou replied.
“Eight, nine, ten. Ready or not, here I come!” Caillou exclaimed.
“I found you!” Caillou said as he found Rosie hiding.
“Mommy always kissed his boo-boos until he felt better. I’ll make it better, Rosie. I’m the daddy, and you’re the baby Rosie,” Caillou said, pretending to be the daddy.
Caillou was having a wonderful time playing house with Rosie, but Rosie was getting tired. “I think somebody’s ready for a nap,” Daddy said. “Look, Daddy!” Caillou exclaimed. Caillou was bored and wanted to play with Rosie, but he knew he wasn’t allowed to make noise when she was taking her nap. “Now, hi! Did you wake Rosie up on purpose? Maybe you should go and play in your room for a while until supper’s ready,” Daddy suggested. “Okay,” Caillou agreed.
“Rosie, you have to eat everything on your plate if you want dessert,” Caillou said. “Look, Caillou ate everything!” Rosie looked and saw Caillou pretending that his spoon was an airplane. “Open wide for the plane!” Caillou said playfully.
“I wonder what Mommy would do to make Rosie stop fussing. I know! You’re a tired little girl, Rosie. You have to go to bed,” Caillou said to Rosie. “Daddy, you forgot to read us a story,” Caillou reminded Daddy. “Well, why don’t you read us the story tonight, Caillou?” Daddy suggested. “Okay,” Caillou agreed.
“Once upon a time in a land far, far away,” Caillou began reading the story. Suddenly, Mommy walked in and asked, “What are you two still doing up?” Caillou and Rosie shushed each other, realizing that Daddy had fallen asleep.
“Caillou Plays Baseball”
“Caillou plays baseball,” Caillou read. “He’s batting .365, but his first base play is off. Daddy, what’s a base?” Caillou asked.
“The bases are what the batter runs around after he hits the ball. He wants to get to as many bases as he can before the ball is caught,” Daddy explained.
Caillou didn’t quite understand what his Daddy was talking about. “In the bottom of the ninth, oh, what a great game!” Caillou continued reading. “I want to play baseball, Daddy.”
“Here’s a glove, Daddy,” Caillou said, handing Daddy a glove. “Thanks, Caillou. But here’s the baseball glove,” Daddy said, giving Caillou his old glove. “This is the glove Grandpa gave to me when I was little, and now I’m giving it to you.”
“Wow, thanks, Daddy! Here, let me throw you one so you can try out the glove,” Caillou said excitedly. But as Caillou threw the ball, it accidentally hit a vase and broke it. “Oh no! That’s why Mommy says don’t throw balls in the house, Daddy,” Caillou realized.
“I guess you’re right, Caillou,” Daddy admitted. Caillou was still eager to learn how to play baseball. “Okay, Caillou, the first step to playing baseball is learning how to catch,” Daddy said. “Good catch, son! Your turn, Caillou.”
Throwing and catching the ball weren’t as easy as they looked. “That’s okay, next time try to catch it with both hands. That’s what beginners do,” Daddy encouraged. Just then, Mr. Hinkle, their neighbor, walked by. “Did someone lose this?” he asked, holding a baseball. “Hello! I’m playing baseball, Mr. Hinkle,” Caillou replied.
“Baseball, my favorite game! I used to be quite a player when I was a kid, you know,” Mr. Hinkle said. “Here, Caillou, catch!” He threw the ball to Caillou. “I think this glove is broken, Daddy,” Caillou said, struggling to catch the ball.
“It takes a bit of practice to learn how to catch a ball. Here, let me show you how to hold your mitt,” Daddy said, demonstrating the proper technique.
It seemed to Caillou that everyone knew how to play baseball, everyone except him. You know, I didn’t know how to throw and catch very well when I started playing. I’ll say, he didn’t. When your dad started learning how to play, there were quite a few broken windows around the house, but he got the hang of it soon enough and had a great time playing. Really? Sure, here, catch!
“I hate baseball,” Caillou exclaimed.
“What do you say we take a little break and go to the park, Caillou?” Daddy suggested.
“Wow!” Caillou exclaimed.
“Throw it back, Caillou,” Daddy said.
“Go on, try,” Daddy encouraged.
“Good throw, Caillou,” Daddy praised.
Caillou was happy he made a good throw. “Guess your practicing this morning paid off,” Daddy said.
“We usually come to practice every day. If you keep practicing, maybe you’ll be able to play with us soon,” one of the players said.
“Daddy, can you show me how to hold my glove now?” Caillou asked.
“It takes a little time to get used to the feel of catching a ball in a glove. Try to do this a few times,” Daddy explained.
“Keep at it, and soon you’ll be able to catch the ball in the glove almost every time,” Daddy encouraged.
Catching a ball still wasn’t easy, but Caillou was having fun now.
“Give that back, Gilbert,” Caillou said, trying to catch his cat.
“Catch, Gilbert,” Caillou said, throwing the ball.
“Oops, sorry, Daddy,” Caillou apologized.
“That’s okay, here, catch,” Daddy said, throwing the ball back.
“I caught it! I caught it! I can play baseball!” Caillou exclaimed.
“Almost. You still have to learn how to bat,” Daddy reminded him.
“No one told him there was still more to learn,” the narrator said.
“Hang on, Caillou. Let me give you a hand,” Daddy said. “If you hold the bat this way, it will help you be a good hitter. And it helps to stand like this. Now, just keep your eye on the ball.”
Caillou just wanted to hit the ball. “When can I hit it, Daddy?” Caillou asked eagerly.
“Now,” Daddy said.
“I did it! I did it!” Caillou exclaimed.
“Run to first base, Caillou! Run!” Daddy cheered.
“Uh, the other way,” Daddy corrected himself.
“Caillou, run!” Daddy encouraged.
“Run!” the players shouted.
“I like batting,” Caillou said.
“So do I. You hit to me first, Sarah,” Daddy said.
Caillou couldn’t believe how far Sarah hit the ball. “I can’t do that,” Caillou said.
“Not yet, but you’ll be able to someday if you keep practicing,” Daddy assured him. “But I want to play a game,” Caillou insisted.
“Okay, come on,” Daddy said.
“Run to first base, Caillou! Run!” Daddy cheered.
“It’s a home run!” Daddy exclaimed.
“I like baseball, Daddy,” Caillou said.
“So do I, Caillou,” Daddy replied.
“Like father, like son,” the narrator concluded.
“You.”
Now we have rivers, we can make lots of rivers. Caillou, Leo, you have to get ready now. Leo, your parents are here to pick you up, but we’re playing, we’re making rivers. I know, but it’s time to go over to Grandma’s. But I want to stay and play with Leo.
I’m sorry, Caillou, but we really have to go. Now I have to take Rosie to the doctor for a checkup, and you’re going to visit Grandma. Caillou was very disappointed that he couldn’t stay and play in the backyard with Leo.
“Hello, Caillou.” “Hi, Grandma.” Caillou was still wishing he could have kept playing with Leo. “Would you like to go out and play in the backyard? Is there something upsetting you today?” “I wanted to stay at home with Leo. You have fun playing with Leo, don’t you? He’s my friend.” “Well, is there something else you would like to do? I know, I borrowed a book from the library yesterday. I thought we might read it together. Okay.”
At first, Caillou wasn’t really interested in the book. It wasn’t as exciting as playing with Leo in the backyard. But Caillou soon found the book more interesting. Caillou and Grandma read the book about the clown festival. Caillou enjoyed the book so much he forgot all about wanting to play with Leo. “I like the clown party book, Grandma.” “You do?”
“Well, why don’t we have a clown party of our own right here? But where will we get the clowns?” “We’ll make puppet clowns.” Caillou loved making things with Grandma.
“Hello, Grandma.” First, they glued orange wool on the top of a bag for the clown’s hair, and already Caillou got some ideas. “I’m going to color this clown with green polka dots, and the other clown with red polka dots.” And while Caillou colored the clowns, Grandma started to make a puppet theater for the puppets. She cut up a big cardboard box.
“This is fun! We can make a clown dog too.” “Hello, Grandma. My name is Papadu the clown.” “Grandma, Caillou, we’re back!” “Hello! My name is Papadu, and I can’t find my dog. Woof woof woof. Anyone seen my dog? Here, doggy, here, doggy. What’s doggy?” “Very good! Encore! Encore! Yay!”
“You can have Leo over all day tomorrow, Caillou.” “Yay.”
“We can play puppet clowns. Read all about it! Read all about it!” Caillou was having fun playing with his drum and making a lot of noise. Caillou was making so much noise that he couldn’t hear his mommy asking him to be quiet. “Caillou, come down here, please.”
“Hi mommy, I’m playing with my drum.” “Yes, I can hear that, but I’m reading now, and I would appreciate it if you were quiet, okay?” “What are you reading?” “A very good book.” Caillou loved it when mommy read to him. “Can you read it to me?” “Well, this is a grown-up book, and I don’t think it’ll interest you all that much. But I’m on my last page, it’ll just take me a moment, and then we can read one of your books together, okay?”
Caillou didn’t feel like looking at his books. He wanted mommy to read him a new story. “Are you finished yet?” “They’re all done. Have you chosen a book for us to read?” “I want a new story.” “Well, I know exactly the place where we could find all sorts of news stories. At the library, can we go, mommy?” “Sure, I have to return this one today. That’s why I was in a hurry to finish it.” Caillou was very happy to be going to the library with his mommy. “Hurry, mommy, I want to get a book too.” “Shh, Caillou, you have to be quiet in the library.”
Caillou had been to the library before, but he forgot that he was supposed to be very quiet. “There are a lot of people that come here to read and work. We have to be quiet so we don’t disturb them, okay?” “Can I get a book now?” Caillou knew there was a different floor where they had all sorts of picture books, and he was in a big hurry to get there. “I know where the picture books are, mommy.” “Then lead the way.” “You certainly do know your way around, Caillou.”
Caillou loved looking at all the colorful books. There were so many, it was hard to choose which one he would borrow. “Hello, Caillou! What a nice surprise! Look, Caillou, it’s Clementine’s mommy. I didn’t know you worked here.” “I volunteer once a month for story time. In fact, it’s just about to start. Would you like to come and sit with us, Caillou?” “Can I, mommy?” “Of course you can. I’ll go browse around for a new book. I’ll be back later, okay?”
“Would you like to help me choose the story for today?” “Can we read this one? ‘Baxter the Bashful Bear’.” “That’s an excellent choice.” Clementine’s mom first read the story about Baxter the Bashful Bear. Then she read another story, and then another. They were all new to Caillou, and he thought they were wonderful. “The end.” “Did you all enjoy the stories? I see that story time was a success. Baxter is very funny.” “Mommy, you can tell me all about him on our way home.” “I don’t want to go. I want to stay and look at the books.” “Would you like to take these ones home with you, Caillou? When you bring them back, you can choose some news stories for story time, okay?” “Okay.” “Now, take very good care of them so the other children can read them after you’re done.” “Daddy, look, I have new books! And you have your own library card too.” “We had story time with Clementine’s mommy, and she read stories about Baxter the Bashful Bear. That sounds like a lot of fun!”
Can you read them to me? I sure can.
Over the next few days, Caillou read his new books over and over with Mommy and Daddy, and Rosie too. In fact, he had read them so often that he forgot they were only borrowed until it was time to return them to the library.
“Caillou, come on, we’re going to the library,” said Mommy.
“Okay, Mommy. Don’t forget to bring back the books you borrowed,” Caillou replied.
Caillou had accidentally colored on one of the books that belonged to the library. He didn’t mean to do it, but now he was afraid of bringing them back.
“I’ll meet you here right after story time, Caillou,” Mommy assured him.
“Hello, Caillou. I was hoping you’d come back soon,” said the librarian.
“Did you come to return the books you borrowed?” she asked.
Caillou was worried that Clementine’s mom would be upset when she saw the book with the crayons scribbled on it. “Can I keep them?” he asked.
“Wouldn’t you rather take some new ones instead?” the librarian suggested. “I’ll tell you what, if you return the Baxter books, you can borrow this one about the ten little piglets. We’ll be reading about them at story time today.”
Caillou showed the librarian the book with his drawing on it. “Is this your drawing, Caillou?” she asked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” Caillou replied, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Don’t cry, there’s no harm done. You’re not mad at me?” Caillou asked.
“No, these books can take a little punishment. They clean right up,” the librarian reassured him. “And besides, it was an accident, right?”
“It’s all gone,” Caillou said, relieved.
“I can tell you’re very good with crayons. Would you like to draw something that we can put up on the wall in the library?” the librarian asked.
“I’m going to draw Baxter the bear,” Caillou said excitedly.
“Mommy, we read a story about the ten little piglets. The story must have been very funny, and Clementine’s mommy put my drawing up on the wall,” Caillou told his mom.
“That’s wonderful, Caillou. Let’s bring your books to the counter so we can take them home,” Mom said.
“I want to do it,” Caillou said eagerly.
Caillou was happy to take home a new book again, and this time he would be extra careful with it.
“Goodbye, Caillou. See you soon,” the librarian said.
“Mom for a Day”
“I have to go to a business meeting, and I won’t be home until very late. Do you think you could help Daddy while I’m gone, Caillou?” Mom asked.
“Yes, Mommy,” Caillou replied.
“No, Daddy! What’s wrong, Caillou?” Daddy asked.
“Mommy never puts cheese on Rosie’s macaroni. She doesn’t like it,” Caillou explained.
“Juice, Daddy!” Rosie chimed in.
“Oops, I forgot. You’re absolutely right, Caillou. What would I do without your help?” Daddy said.
“Hmm, what about Gilbert? What’s his routine, Caillou?” Daddy asked.
“Make sure he has fresh water and food,” Caillou replied.
“Eight, nine, ten. Ready or not, here I come!” Caillou exclaimed.
“I found you!” Caillou said as he found Rosie hiding.
“Mommy always kissed his boo-boos until he felt better. I’ll make it better, Rosie. I’m the daddy, and you’re the baby Rosie,” Caillou said, pretending to be the daddy.
Caillou was having a wonderful time playing house with Rosie, but Rosie was getting tired. “I think somebody’s ready for a nap,” Daddy said. “Look, Daddy!” Caillou exclaimed. Caillou was bored and wanted to play with Rosie, but he knew he wasn’t allowed to make noise when she was taking her nap. “Now, hi! Did you wake Rosie up on purpose? Maybe you should go and play in your room for a while until supper’s ready,” Daddy suggested. “Okay,” Caillou agreed.
“Rosie, you have to eat everything on your plate if you want dessert,” Caillou said. “Look, Caillou ate everything!” Rosie looked and saw Caillou pretending that his spoon was an airplane. “Open wide for the plane!” Caillou said playfully.
“I wonder what Mommy would do to make Rosie stop fussing. I know! You’re a tired little girl, Rosie. You have to go to bed,” Caillou said to Rosie. “Daddy, you forgot to read us a story,” Caillou reminded Daddy. “Well, why don’t you read us the story tonight, Caillou?” Daddy suggested. “Okay,” Caillou agreed.
“Once upon a time in a land far, far away,” Caillou began reading the story. Suddenly, Mommy walked in and asked, “What are you two still doing up?” Caillou and Rosie shushed each other, realizing that Daddy had fallen asleep.
“Caillou Plays Baseball”
“Caillou plays baseball,” Caillou read. “He’s batting .365, but his first base play is off. Daddy, what’s a base?” Caillou asked.
“The bases are what the batter runs around after he hits the ball. He wants to get to as many bases as he can before the ball is caught,” Daddy explained.
Caillou didn’t quite understand what his Daddy was talking about. “In the bottom of the ninth, oh, what a great game!” Caillou continued reading. “I want to play baseball, Daddy.”
“Here’s a glove, Daddy,” Caillou said, handing Daddy a glove. “Thanks, Caillou. But here’s the baseball glove,” Daddy said, giving Caillou his old glove. “This is the glove Grandpa gave to me when I was little, and now I’m giving it to you.”
“Wow, thanks, Daddy! Here, let me throw you one so you can try out the glove,” Caillou said excitedly. But as Caillou threw the ball, it accidentally hit a vase and broke it. “Oh no! That’s why Mommy says don’t throw balls in the house, Daddy,” Caillou realized.
“I guess you’re right, Caillou,” Daddy admitted. Caillou was still eager to learn how to play baseball. “Okay, Caillou, the first step to playing baseball is learning how to catch,” Daddy said. “Good catch, son! Your turn, Caillou.”
Throwing and catching the ball weren’t as easy as they looked. “That’s okay, next time try to catch it with both hands. That’s what beginners do,” Daddy encouraged. Just then, Mr. Hinkle, their neighbor, walked by. “Did someone lose this?” he asked, holding a baseball. “Hello! I’m playing baseball, Mr. Hinkle,” Caillou replied.
“Baseball, my favorite game! I used to be quite a player when I was a kid, you know,” Mr. Hinkle said. “Here, Caillou, catch!” He threw the ball to Caillou. “I think this glove is broken, Daddy,” Caillou said, struggling to catch the ball.
“It takes a bit of practice to learn how to catch a ball. Here, let me show you how to hold your mitt,” Daddy said, demonstrating the proper technique.
It seemed to Caillou that everyone knew how to play baseball, everyone except him. You know, I didn’t know how to throw and catch very well when I started playing. I’ll say, he didn’t. When your dad started learning how to play, there were quite a few broken windows around the house, but he got the hang of it soon enough and had a great time playing. Really? Sure, here, catch!
“I hate baseball,” Caillou exclaimed.
“What do you say we take a little break and go to the park, Caillou?” Daddy suggested.
“Wow!” Caillou exclaimed.
“Throw it back, Caillou,” Daddy said.
“Go on, try,” Daddy encouraged.
“Good throw, Caillou,” Daddy praised.
Caillou was happy he made a good throw. “Guess your practicing this morning paid off,” Daddy said.
“We usually come to practice every day. If you keep practicing, maybe you’ll be able to play with us soon,” one of the players said.
“Daddy, can you show me how to hold my glove now?” Caillou asked.
“It takes a little time to get used to the feel of catching a ball in a glove. Try to do this a few times,” Daddy explained.
“Keep at it, and soon you’ll be able to catch the ball in the glove almost every time,” Daddy encouraged.
Catching a ball still wasn’t easy, but Caillou was having fun now.
“Give that back, Gilbert,” Caillou said, trying to catch his cat.
“Catch, Gilbert,” Caillou said, throwing the ball.
“Oops, sorry, Daddy,” Caillou apologized.
“That’s okay, here, catch,” Daddy said, throwing the ball back.
“I caught it! I caught it! I can play baseball!” Caillou exclaimed.
“Almost. You still have to learn how to bat,” Daddy reminded him.
“No one told him there was still more to learn,” the narrator said.
“Hang on, Caillou. Let me give you a hand,” Daddy said. “If you hold the bat this way, it will help you be a good hitter. And it helps to stand like this. Now, just keep your eye on the ball.”
Caillou just wanted to hit the ball. “When can I hit it, Daddy?” Caillou asked eagerly.
“Now,” Daddy said.
“I did it! I did it!” Caillou exclaimed.
“Run to first base, Caillou! Run!” Daddy cheered.
“Uh, the other way,” Daddy corrected himself.
“Caillou, run!” Daddy encouraged.
“Run!” the players shouted.
“I like batting,” Caillou said.
“So do I. You hit to me first, Sarah,” Daddy said.
Caillou couldn’t believe how far Sarah hit the ball. “I can’t do that,” Caillou said.
“Not yet, but you’ll be able to someday if you keep practicing,” Daddy assured him. “But I want to play a game,” Caillou insisted.
“Okay, come on,” Daddy said.
“Run to first base, Caillou! Run!” Daddy cheered.
“It’s a home run!” Daddy exclaimed.
“I like baseball, Daddy,” Caillou said.
“So do I, Caillou,” Daddy replied.
“Like father, like son,” the narrator concluded.
“You.”
