Billie Eilish has become the latest star to read a CBeebies bedtime story, having chosen a book that teaches children about interacting with nature.
The Oscar-winning singer of What Was I Made For? and Birds of a Feather read This Moose Belongs to Me by the author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers.
Eilish introduced the story by saying that as well as loving music, she also loves nature.
The book tells the story of a little boy called Wilfred who says he owns a very big moose called Marcel. It follows Marcel and Wilfred deep into the woods where someone else claims the moose as their own, and Wilfred learns an important lesson.
Eilish said: “My favourite thing in the world as a child was a bedtime story and I would be upset if I didn’t get one. I had a lot and I loved them all.”
She said she wanted to share a message about protecting wildlife with the young viewers. “We need to look after beautiful, wild creatures like Marcel, but we also need to let them do their own thing.”
The 22-year-old is best known for her multi-award-winning singing career with her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell. They won an Oscar earlier this year for a song produced for the Barbie soundtrack.
Eilish was only 14 when she released her debut single Ocean Eyes. Since then she has released three popular studio albums, and she embarked on her first full arena tour in 2021.
She is also an animal welfare and environmental activist. She has made public statements about the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle and has made commitments to lowering the carbon footprint of her music career.
Eilish provides vegan meals for herself and her crew and chooses not to fly in private jets as part of her efforts to lower the impact of her touring on the climate.
In 2022 the nine-time Grammy winner spoke about her veganism in an Instagram clip, saying: “Once I learned about how animals are treated in our industrial food system, I didn’t want any part of it.”
In 2021 she told the brand Oscar de la Renta she would wear one of its ballgowns to the Met Gala if it stopped using fur in its designs, and it agreed.
Other star musicians who have read a CBeebies bedtime story include Harry Styles, Sir Elton John, Dave Grohl, Ed Sheeran and Dolly Parton.
Eilish’s story will be broadcast on Friday 19 July on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.
