First is The Emperor’s New Clothes, a classic story about pride, honesty, and the courage to speak the truth — even when everyone else is pretending.

Then we share The Snail and the Rosebush, a quieter story about two very different outlooks on life: one creature focused entirely inward, and another that simply blooms and shares what it can with the world.

Both stories are narrated slowly and calmly, making them well suited for bedtime or quiet listening.

Perfect for:

🌙 Bedtime wind-down
 📚 Classroom listening
 🧸 Calm moments before sleep
 💛 Families who enjoy classic fairy tales

Themes explored in this episode:

• Honesty and courage
 • Pride and humility
 • Giving what we have to the world
 • Finding meaning in simple acts

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent note:
 The Emperor’s New Clothes includes themes of deception and embarrassment but remains light and humorous.
The Snail and the Rosebush is reflective in tone and may encourage gentle discussion about kindness, creativity, and purpose.

Narrated by Nathan Stone
Produced by Haunted Mouse Productions

Public-domain stories.

In this episode of The Bedtime Storybook, Nathan Stone reads Rudyard Kipling’s “The Beginning of the Armadillos," a playful and lyrical tale from the Just So Stories.

Along the banks of the turbid Amazon, a clever hedgehog and a thoughtful tortoise outwit a puzzled jaguar in a story filled with repetition, wordplay, and gentle humor.

The language has a sing-song quality that makes it especially well suited for listening aloud. The repeated phrases and patterned dialogue create a predictable rhythm that helps children settle and follow along.

Suggested use:
Bedtime wind-down, quiet time, or peaceful afternoon listening.
Recommended for ages 4–8.

Mild tension note: The story includes a painted jaguar attempting to catch the other animals, but the tone remains light and playful throughout, with no frightening detail.

Narrated by Nathan Stone.
Produced by Haunted Mouse Productions.
This story is in the public domain.

In this episode of The Bedtime Storybook, you’ll hear:

1) Too Clever by Half – a clever mother cat learns a gentle lesson about overdoing it

2) The Selfish Pussy – two cats compare comfort, loyalty, and love
3) Nine Lives – a mother cat tells the story of her many lives (with curious kittens asking questions along the way)

Perfect for bedtime routines, quiet play, or screen-free listening.

Recommended for ages 3–8
Suitable for bedtime, story time, or peaceful play
Includes mild tension typical of classic stories, with reassuring endings

Narrated by Nathan Stone | A Haunted Mouse Production
Public-domain stories. Original audio narration.

In this gentle episode of The Bedtime Storybook, we share:

The Tale of Peter Rabbit – A curious bunny learns the importance of listening and finding his way home

The Tale of Tom Kitten – Three playful kittens and a very eventful afternoon

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny – A brave cousin, a garden adventure, and a happy ending

These classic stories are told in a calm, soothing voice and are perfect for bedtime, quiet time, or screen-free listening for young children.

Recommended for ages 3–8

Ideal for bedtime, story time, or peaceful play

This episode contains gentle moments of tension typical of classic fairy tales, all resolving safely and warmly.

Narrated by Nathan Stone | A Haunted Mouse Production

Public-domain stories. Original audio narration.

✔️ Calm narration
✔️ Gentle background music & some sound effects 
✔️ Ages 3–8

 Perfect for bedtime, classrooms, or quiet family moments.
 Ideal for children who love stories about toys, magic, and friendship.

📚 Narrated by Nathan Stone | A Haunted Mouse Production
 https://linktr.ee/hauntedmouseproductions 

Public-domain stories. Original audio narration.

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 Storybook
The 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.

This gentle story explores what it really means to belong, to be seen, and to be “real,” even when we’re a bit worn and shabby on the outside.

✨ Perfect for bedtime, classrooms, or quiet family moments.
🐰 Ideal for children who love stories about toys, magic, and friendship.

📚 Narrated by Nathan Stone | A Haunted Mouse Production
 https://linktr.ee/hauntedmouseproductions 

After our adventure, stay cozy for two classic poems by A.A. Milne — “Sneezles” and “At the Zoo.”

✨ Perfect for bedtime, classrooms, or quiet family moments.
 📚 Narrated by Nathan Stone | A Haunted Mouse Production
 Learn more or explore family-friendly sponsorships:
 👉 https://hauntedmouseproductions.com/advertise-with-us/

Welcome to The Bedtime Storybook — a calm, imaginative podcast where host Nathan Stone reads timeless tales for kids and families.

In this premiere episode, we visit the Hundred Acre Wood to meet Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin for the very first time. Then, join Pooh on a honey-hungry adventure that proves even a small bear can find big magic in friendship.

This episode includes:
 • Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees

Designed for parents, teachers, and little listeners, this series turns classic children’s stories into safe, screen-free storytime — perfect for bedtime or the classroom.

Produced by Haunted Mouse Productions in Halifax, Canada, The Bedtime Storybook features ten gentle episodes, including The Velveteen Rabbit, The Ugly Duckling, and Tom Kitten.

Brought to you by Haunted Mouse Productions — to learn more about family-friendly sponsorships, visit https://hauntedmouseproductions.com/advertise-with-us/