Benjamin's Adventure: a read aloud bedtime story

What was that noise? It was dark and cold and the middle of the night when Benjamin woke up. Where's his constant companion, Ned-Nod? The little donkey always sleeps with him, he's Benjamin's shadow and they share everything. There he is, over by the window. What's he doing making that noise? 'Whatcha doin' Ned-Nod?' Ned-Nod explains. Tonight his secret wish, to sing with Benjamin, might come true because the Matariki stars have risen in the sky again. If he can reach those stars his wish will come true. Ned-Nod wants to go there, but he's afraid. Will Benjamin come too? Benjamin is scared but he loves Ned-Nod and wants to help. Together they discover the magical way to the stars and take part in the wonder of star magic. Matariki is the Maori name for a group of seven stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster. One of the myths about these stars is that Matariki is a mother star with six star daughters. When the stars show again in the southern sky it is regarded as the coming of the Māori New Year. Matariki is a time to celebrate with family and friends, to think about the past, the present and what the future might be.