Fernie the dog helps kids to read

Fernie the dog is helping to give children the confidence to read at a school in Somerset in South West England.

He can understand words written on flash cards,

Fernie is shown words like sit, and turn around then he does the action.

Studies have shown that a school dog calms children down, improves skills and behaviour.

CBBC Newsround

5 tips to stay safe online

Are you a regular web surfer?

 Even if you just surf the net occasionally here are five tips you need to know to surf the net safely.

Watch this video attentively and have a nice and safe net surfing!

A teenager gets to keep gold bar she found in a lake

Back in August a 16 year old girl found a gold bar while she was swimming in a lake in Germany and now she gets to keep it.

Lucky this girl!

The gold bar weighs half a kilogram

The teenager found the gold bar, worth over £13,500, two metres under water in Lake Koenigssee. Police said that as nobody had come forward in six months to claim the gold that the finder gets to keep it.

Lake Koenigssee

The gold was found in Lake Koenigssee in an area called Bavaria in south East Germany near the border with Austria.

At the time police divers checked the area for more gold but didn't find anything. Following an investigation, nothing else is known about where it came from.

The gold bar has distinctive markings which show the weight of the bar and how pure the gold is.This has helped experts work out that the gold bar is worth a whopping £11,500.

From CBBC Newsround

How to make a fortune teller

Cootie catchers have always been popular among youngesters.

 Watch the video and learn how to make one

Cootie catchers can provide lots of fun with your schoolmates and friends

They can be the reason to socialize or make some new friends. If you have difficulties in making friends at your new school or you are too shy to start a conversation, try the cootie catchers! 

They're easy to make  and can be very helpful

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie | Official HD Trailer

Charlie Brown's adventures are back on the big screen!

13-year-old schoolboy on New Year Honours list

A schoolboy fundraiser has been awarded a British Empire Medal on the New Year Honours list.

Jonjo Heuerman was inspired to raise money by the death of his grandmother

The 13-year-old is the youngest person on this year's list, which gives out special awards to people for achievements like making a difference to their community, being a volunteer for many years or being amazing at what they do for a job.

Jonjo Heuerman, from Dartford, England, has raised more than £235,000 for Cancer Research UK's Bobby Moore Fund.

"It was a big surprise, because I never thought I could get something like this at this age," Jonjo said.

"It made me feel quite proud of myself because I've worked really hard over the last five years."

Jonjo will receive his award, which is special medal, from the Queen or other members of the Royal Family at a ceremony later in 2016.

Bobby Moore who lifted the World Cup for England in 1966 died of bowel cancer in 1993

He added: "In 2009 my Nan died from bowel cancer - she had been fighting it for a very long time.

"My football hero Bobby Moore also died from it about 20 years ago, and I decided to fundraise for the Bobby Moore Fund."

The teenager has walked and cycled thousands of miles across Britain since the death of his grandmother Lyn.

In February 2015, Jonjo cycled to all of England's Premier League football clubs for charity

Jonjo said the hardest challenge had been in February when he undertook a 700-mile cycle ride, visiting all of the Premier League football clubs in England.

He then returned to London and walked to all of the capital's Premier League clubs.

"I'm in training for the next one which is in April. I'm going to be cycling and walking from Germany all the way to the UK," Jonjo said.

Jonjo is one of nearly 1,200 people who have been named on the New Year Honours list.

From CBBC Newsround

New emojis collection set for 2016

Thirty eight new emojis will be released next year, including clown face, wilted flower and "call me" hand.

Emojis, which are symbols that help described feelings or emotions, are used by millions of people around the world in texts, online chats and on social media.The new list of additions are expected to be available from the summer of 2016.It comes just a month after the unveiling of the Unicode 8 update which included additions of emojis with different skin tones and a taco.

Here are some more fun Emojis in the new list:

• Face with cowboy hat

• Clown face

• Nauseated face

• Rolling on the floor laughing

• Drooling face

• Lying face

• "Call me" hand

• Selfie

• Handshake

• Clown face

• Wilted flower

• Bacon (From CBBC Newsround)

Meet the star of Oscar nominated animation Song of the Sea.

The movie, which comes out in the UK this week, is based on an Irish folk tale.

It follows the story of a boy called Ben and his little sister who meet selkies, giants and faeries on their adventure.

It was made using traditional drawing techniques, and was nominated for the biggest film awards in the world, the Oscars, earlier this year. (CBBC newsround)

Song of the Sea is a 2014 Irish animated fantasy film by Cartoon Saloon that is directed by Tomm Moore. The traditionally animated film, which began production soon after the release of The Secret of Kells (2009), premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September in the TIFF Kids program The film was nominated for Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards (2015). (in Wikipedia)

Plot

In October of 1981, on an island off the coast of Ireland lives Conor, a lighthouse keeper, his son Ben, his wife Bronagh, who is expecting their second child, and their sheepdog Cú. Bronagh leaves unexpectedly late one night, leaving behind her newborn daughter Saoirse. Six years later, Conor is a depressed alcoholic, Saoirse has yet to utter a single word, and Ben has grown resentful of his sister, associating her with his mother’s disappearance. The family are then visited by Granny for Saoirse's birthday. That night, Ben scares Saorirse with a story of Mac Lir the giant and his mother Macha the Owl Witch, who turned him to stone and stole his feelings. Later that night, Saoirse plays a seashell horn given to Ben by their mother, and it leads her to a white sealskin coat hidden in Conor’s closet. She puts the coat on and is coaxed into the ocean by a group of seals. It is then revealed that she is a beautiful white Selkie. After swimming with the seals, she is found washed up onshore by Granny, who insists upon taking the children back home to the city for their own safety. Conor reluctantly agrees, and throws the chest containing Saoirse's coat and its key into the sea.

The following night on Halloween, Saoirse plays the shell, alerting a group of Faerie creatures to her presence. Ben and Saoirse begin attempting to travel home, but encounter the Faeries who hope that Saoirse will sing the Song of the Sea and allow them and all their brethren to travel home to Tír na nÓg. Unfortunately, they are attacked by Macha's owls, who turn the Faeries to stone. The siblings take a bus into the country, where they run into Cú, who had originally been following them to the city, and come across a sacred well. Unfortunately, without her coat, Saoirse is rapidly growing deathly ill, shown by her hair turning white. She falls into the well, while Ben tries to follow her and meets the Great Seanachai. The Faerie tells Ben his sister has been kidnapped by Macha's owls, and he gives the boy one of his hairs that will lead him to the witch’s house, and in the process sees that the night his mother left, she departed into the sea and left Saoirse with their father, and realizes how unfair he's been to Saoirse all these years. Ben then meets Macha, who is not the villain he imagined. She claims that when her son, Mac Lir, suffered from a broken heart, she took away his suffering, turning him into the small island near Ben's home. She is determined to do the same for everyone, even herself.

Ben manages to rescue Saoirse and the shell’s song releases Macha's feelings back into her, which helps her recognize the gravity of her actions. The witch helps Ben, Saoirse, Cú fly back home with the spirits of Mac Lir's dogs. The children arrive home during a storm, and Conor attempts to take them back to the mainland to get Saoirse to a hospital; at the same time, Granny is on her way to their island in search of her missing grandchildren. Ben dives into the sea in search of Saoirse's coat, which he recovers with help from the seals and his father. The group is then washed up on Mac Lir's island, where Saoirse, reunited with her coat, is restored to health and sings her song. Faerie creatures from across Ireland rise and travel to Mac Lir's island, and Mac Lir himself emerges with Macha and his dogs as they head to Tír na nÓg. Bronagh appears with the sad news that she and Saoirse must depart as well. However, since Saoirse is part human, Bronagh is able to take her coat and leave her behind to live as a human while she departs. After a tearful goodbye, the Faeries depart across the sea, and Ben and his family happily return home to their island, where Granny finally arrives, and decides the children can stay with their father. (in Wikipedia)

     

Song of the Sea
Theatrical release poster Facts File
Directed by	Tomm Moore
Produced by	Paul Young Claus Toksvig Kjaer
Written by	Will Collins
Story by	Tomm Moore
Starring	David Rawle Brendan Gleeson Fionnula Flanagan Lisa Hannigan Lucy O'Connell Jon Kenny Pat Shortt Colm Ó Snodaigh Liam Hourican Kevin Swierszcz
Music by	Bruno Coulais Kíla
Edited by	Darragh Byrne
Production company	Cartoon Saloon Mélusine Productions Big Farm Super Productions Noerlum Studios Irish Film Board Film Fund Luxembourg Eurimages Fund of the Council of Europe Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Film and Audiovisual Centre of Wallonia Brussels Federation Inver Invest Versus Productions Magellan Films Tax Shelter Programme of the Federal Government of Belgium Belgacom Danish Film Institute West Danish Film Fund
Distributed by	StudioCanal (Ireland) O'Brother Distribution(Belgium) Haut et Court (France)
Release dates	6 September 2014 (TIFF) 10 December 2014(France/Belgium/Luxembourg) 19 February 2015 (Denmark) 10 July 2015 (Ireland)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	Ireland Belgium Denmark France Luxembourg
Language	English
Box office	$841,122 (US)

Princess Charlotte: Norfolk church creates knitted christening

Knitters have recreated Princess Charlotte's christening in wool as part of a church fundraising festival.

The replica royal event is at St Peter and St Paul's church in Norfolk - one of six churches taking part in a Blossom and Yarn Festival.

Over 11,000 squares were used to create themed scenes for the six churches.

The christening scene has been recreated in wool at the church in Griston

Woolen Prince George even has a knitted teddy bear.

The Bishop of Norwich said he was full of admiration because he "couldn't knit a bishop".

Prince Harry - who was unable to attend the event at Church of St Mary Magdalene at the Queen's Sandringham estate last Sunday - is in attendance at the knitted version.

Most of the figures and many other items, including roses, small animals and cakes, were made from 10cm knitted squares.

More than 31 human figures were created by more than 100 knitters.

From CBNBC Newsround

Cat wins 'Hero Dog' award

Tara the cat has been given a National Hero Dog Award in America after saving her six-year-old owner Jeremy when he was attacked in 2014.

Jeremy was ok after and the video of the heroic kitty went viral, attracting over 24 million views.

It has been over a year since the attack happened in California, America, and now Tara has been honoured for her bravery.

The president of the organisation that gave the award said: 'We were so impressed by Tara's bravery and fast action that the selection committee decided that a cat this spectacular should be the National Hero Dog.'(BBC News)

The Battle of Waterloo recreated with Lego

One of the most famous battles in history has been recreated using Lego.

It's taken 20 people and more than a million bricks to construct.

It's all to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo - when the famous French general Napoleon took on an army led by England.

The bicentenary of the death of Napoleon is being celebrated in the Belgian town of Waterloo with an exhibition involving over a million bricks.

READ MORE

Jockeys of future in the Shetland Pony Grand National?

The London International Horse Show brings together some of the finest jockeys and horses in the world.

But for kids wanting to be a superstar jockey of the future, and take part in a race as big as the Grand National - where do they learn the skills needed?

Simple - The Shetland Pony Grand National.

Racing on small ponies called Shetlands, competitors aged between 9-14 speed around the arena on a miniature course with jumps like those seen at an Aintree Grand National.

From CBBC newsround

Doctors warn of loom band danger

Doctors have warned that loom bands could be dangerous, after a number of children got them stuck up their noses.

The colourful rubber bands have been one of this year's most popular toys, but they're small enough to be accidentally inhaled.

The Journal of Laryngology and Otology said doctors at one hospital saw it happen four times in one week.

Remember: Never put loom bands up your nose.

Dr Iain Bohler, a surgical registrar, said loom bands could be a lot of creative fun for children.

But he said parents should "supervise young children playing with loom bands, or any other toy or item with small parts".

From CBBC newsround

Stray snake mistaken for loom band bracelet in Aberdeen

A wildlife charity wants to find the owner of a tiny stray snake which was mistaken for a loom band bracelet in Aberdeen.

The Scottish SPCA was called in when rubbish collectors found the baby corn snake outside a house.

The little snake, nicknamed Mac, is now in the care of the charity's Aberdeenshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

Animal rescue officer Kim Butrym says snakes are great escape artists.

'Thought he was a loom band'

She said: "Mac was discovered by two waste removal men who were loading an old sofa onto their van.

"He had slithered his way between the cushions and the men actually thought he was a loom band before he started moving.

"Mac is good to handle and it's possible someone is missing him."

If no-one comes forward to collect the snake, rescue officers will try to find a new home for Mac.

From CBBC newsround

Largest cake sculpture record attempt

A world record attempt for the largest cake sculpture has been launched in London.

The massive cake was put together by forty five volunteers over six hours and is big enough to feed twelve thousand people!

It weighs two tonnes, which is nearly the same weight as an average African elephant.

But to break the record the entire cake must be eaten, with all the money raised going towards a children's charity. Yum!

From CBBC newsround

One Direction sing about letter U on Sesame Street

The members of One Direction have made an appearance on the children's TV show Sesame Street singing a special song all about the letter U.

Together with a muppet version of the letter, Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry, and Louis performed a revised version of their hit, What Makes You Beautiful.Their song for the show was called What Makes U So Useful.The group have been busy promoting their latest album, Four, which was released in the United States on Monday.

From CBBC newsround

Toy Story 4 to be made

A fourth Toy Story film will be made, it has been revealed by Disney Pixar.

Woody, Buzz and the other toys will return in Toy Story 4 due to hit cinema screens in June 2017.

The film will be directed by the person behind the first two Toy Story movies, John Lasseter.

Details about the new story are under wraps

Details of the storyline have not been revealed but the director has reportedly told The LA Times that Toy Story 4 will be a love story and will pick up where the last film finished.

Rashida Jones and Will McCormack will join the writing team

Toy Story 3 became the highest grossing animated-film of all time after its release in 2010. It was only beaten earlier this year by Disney's Frozen.

From CBBC newsround

Bob the Builder gets a makeover

Bob the Builder has been given a computer-generated makeover by TV bosses.

The original episodes of Bob the Builder were created with models, like Shaun the Sheep.

But the new episodes will be computer-generated and Bob himself looks a little different.

The new Bob is taller and has a completely new face. He'll also have a new voice when the show returns in 2015.

Old Bob was a big hit - and even topped the music chart

HIT Entertainment that makes the show said although Bob looks different he will have the same "emotional warmth" as old Bob.

The series used to be shown on CBeebies but the new episodes will be shown on Channel 5.

From CBBC newsround

Here's the theme song 

Student creates virtual world in Minecraft

A student from America has created a virtual world in the video game Minecraft.

Duncan Parcells, who's 19-years-old, spent five hours every week building it and has named it Titan City.

It's constructed out of 4.5 million Minecraft building blocks and contains 96 buildings.

Altogether, it took him two years to complete and he says New York was his inspiration for the city. (CBBC newsround)
He used 4,5 billion blocks!

Parcells, who goes by the moniker ColonialPuppet on Xbox Live, said he built the creation on the console simply because at the time all he had was the Xbox 360 version of the game. He’s planning to move it to the PC soon however and expand his creation.
Answering questions about Titan City on a thread on Reddit, Parcells said that the buildings all “have at least some floors” but that most are without soft furnishings. “Interior work will begin once the Xbox map is filled,” he added.

One comment said what at least some of us were thinking: “Wow this is simultaneously the most impressive gaming feat I have ever seen as well as the most depressing,” but Parnells was keen to reassure his audience: “Hey man don't worry I have a life other than this […] I have a lot of friends and I go outside regularly."

(From http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/titan-city-a-handbuilt-minecraft-metropolis-that-took-two-years-and-45-billion-blocks-9801648.html

Malala Yousafzai wins Nobel Peace Prize 2014

Pakistani schoolgirl campaigner Malala Yousafzai has won the Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world's most respected awards.

She has been recognised for her hard work promoting the right for girls to have an education.

The prize judges said about Malala: "Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls' rights to education."

Malala won it jointly with Indian child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi.

Indian child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi is sharing the Nobel Peace Prize with Malala

Malala, 17, is the youngest person to ever get the Nobel Peace Prize.

She was attacked by the Taliban, an extremist group, in Pakistan two years ago for her campaign work.

Malala was seriously injured in the attack, but she was flown to the UK for treatment and has recovered well.

She now goes to school in Birmingham and continues her campaigning.

What is the Nobel Peace Prize?

What have Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama got in common? They've all won a Nobel Prize.

They're given out every year to people or organisations who have achieved amazing things in different areas.

The Nobel Peace Prize is probably the most famous, but there are others, including ones for medicine, science and economics.

The Nobel Prize is named after Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite.

All this week, the winners are being announced. Ricky's been finding out why they're such a big deal.

From CBBC newsround