Bedtime and beyond

Stories that feel like a warm lamp and a quiet room.

Short, original tales for ages 4 to 8. Read one together, then pick another.

Explore Stories
152 Stories to read
4–8 Ages they fit
7 min A short sitting

Fresh from the shelf

Latest stories

The Rabbit in the Moon
The Rabbit in the Moon

This gentle tale comes from Mexico, from the ancient Aztec people, and a story very much like it is also told in India, China and Japan. On a clear ni...

The Six Friends and the Elephant
The Six Friends and the Elephant

This wise tale comes from India. It has been told for more than two thousand years, and it has travelled to Persia, Arabia and the whole world. The po...

The Mitten in the Snowy Forest
The Mitten in the Snowy Forest

This cozy tale comes from Ukraine, where it is called "Rukavychka." Ukrainian grandmothers tell it on cold winter nights, when the snow is falling sof...

The Talkative Tortoise and the Two Kind Ducks
The Talkative Tortoise and the Two Kind Ducks

This tale comes from India, from a very old book of animal stories called the Panchatantra, and from the Jataka tales. Indian grandparents have told i...

Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky

This old tale comes from the Efik and Ibibio people of southern Nigeria in West Africa. Long ago, grandmothers told it in the evening, as the moon ros...

Momotaro, the Peach Boy, and His Three Friends
Momotaro, the Peach Boy, and His Three Friends

This is one of the most famous folk tales of Japan. Japanese children hear about Momotaro, whose name means "Peach Boy," from the time they are very s...

For the table

Printables

Coloring pages and activity sheets to print at home.

Opposites: Match and Draw from the Box of Opposites
Opposites: Match and Draw from the Box of Opposites

Match each word to its opposite, then draw a big circle and a small circle in the box.

Sun or Moon? Sort the Laam Words
Sun or Moon? Sort the Laam Words

Read each word and write it under the sun (Sun Laam) or the moon (Moon Laam).

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