The Bedtime Storybook

Haunted Mouse Productions

A warm, imaginative storytelling podcast for kids and parents. Narrated by former children's library programmer Nathan Stone, it brings beloved classics like The Velveteen Rabbit and Winnie-the-Pooh to life, creating screen-free family moments perfect for bedtime, classrooms, and daycares.

Episodes

  1. The Ugly Duckling – Calming Bedtime Story for Kids

    12/05/2025

    The Ugly Duckling – Calming Bedtime Story for Kids

    A gentle, calming read-aloud of The Ugly Duckling — perfect for helping little ones wind down for sleep. Cozy, soothing, and family-friendly, this bedtime story is ideal for quiet evenings and nighttime routines. A long time ago, on a sunny farmyard by the water, a strange little duckling hatched from the biggest egg in the nest. He was taller, grayer, and clumsier than all the others — and everyone made sure he knew it. In tonight’s bedtime story, Nathan reads “The Ugly Duckling”, a classic tale about being different, getting teased, wandering through a long winter… and finally discovering you were a swan all along. This episode is perfect for: 🌙 Bedtime wind-down – gentle pacing, soft narration, familiar fairy-tale rhythm 💛 Kids who feel “different” – a reassuring reminder that they’re not alone 📚 Fans of classic stories – a cozy, audio-only way to share a favourite tale together 🧸 Story themes:  Belonging and finding your place Kindness vs. teasing and exclusion Seasons changing – from cold, hard winters to warm spring gardens Growing into who you really are👨‍👩‍👧 Parent note:This story includes mild bullying/unkindness toward the duckling (being called ugly, chased, pecked, and left out), but it has a very warm, happy ending when he discovers he’s a beautiful swan and is welcomed at last. 🎧 How to listen:  Best enjoyed snuggled up in bed, lights low or off Let this play all the way through — the pacing is slow and soothing to help little ones drift off ✨ About The Bedtime StorybookThe Bedtime Storybook is a cozy, screen-free podcast from Haunted Mouse Productions, where Nathan reads timeless stories for kids and grown-ups to share at the end of the day. Grab a blanket, press play, and let the stories do the rest. 💌 Follow & share Follow The Bedtime Storybook on your favourite podcasting platform so you don’t miss the next story.Share this episode with another parent or grandparent who loves classic tales at bedtime.https://linktr.ee/hauntedmouseproductions “The Ugly Duckling,” originally written by Hans Christian Andersen (1843). This story is part of the public domain.

    23 min

About

A warm, imaginative storytelling podcast for kids and parents. Narrated by former children's library programmer Nathan Stone, it brings beloved classics like The Velveteen Rabbit and Winnie-the-Pooh to life, creating screen-free family moments perfect for bedtime, classrooms, and daycares.