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LET’S DISCUSS THE STORIES ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Friendship

1. Santa is really worried when Iris goes missing! He spends a long time looking for her. Why do you think he does this?

2. What other kinds of things do people do for their friends?

Bedtime Story written by T. Ferries

Illustrated by Halina Prakapenka

Music Video and sound effects from www.zapsplat.com and additional music by “Wish Background” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Sneaky Snitch” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Magistar” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Whiskey on the Mississippi” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Hyperfun” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I (Allegro), BWV 1049” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Angels We Have Heard on High” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “8bit Dungeon Boss” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Frost Waltz” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Arcadia” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Feelin Good” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Winner Winner!” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The post Where is Santa’s Cat? first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

© 2023 Storyberries

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LET’S DISCUSS THE STORIES ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Optimism

1. In this story, Midnight takes a scary experience and turns it into a story of courage. What do you think this might say about the stories we tell ourselves?

3. Think about what happened in your life today. Can you tell the story of your day? Now, can you tell it in a different way? Which do you prefer?

Bedtime Story written by Hattie Stamp

Illustrated by Tanja Tomusilovic

Music Video by “Aquarium” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Myst” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The post Midnight and the Spider first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

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LET’S DISCUSS THE STORIES ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Kindness, Empathy, Conversation

1. How did you feel at the start of the story? Did this change by the end? Why?

2. Why was the cat in this story stealing socks?

3. By the end of the story, why does the kid in this story change their mind and want to give the cat all their socks?

4. What would you do, if you found those kittens?

Bedtime Story written by Megan Pirie

Illustrated by Lindy Pelzl

Designed by Jessica Bailing

Edited by Sarah Heron

Music Video by Le Grand Chase Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ and sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com/

* THE STORY ‘CATCH THAT CAT’ WAS CREATED BY BOOK DASH AND IS LICENSED UNDER A CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 4.0 LICENSE. MINOR FORMATTING CHANGES MAY HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE ORIGINAL WORK FOR EASE OF READING ON OUR WEBSITE.

The post Catch That Cat! first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

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LET’S CHAT ABOUT THE STORY ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Stranger Danger, Independent Thinking

1. Emmie says No when the old lady asks her and her friends into her home. Why do you think she says No? Was this the right thing to do? Why or why not?

2. If the old lady didn’t look spooky, do you think Emmie should have done the same thing? Why or why not?

Short Story for Kids written by Andrea Kaczmarek

Illustrations by Zeinab Khalifi

Book design by Jade Maitre

Music Video by “Children’s Theme” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Unease” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Ghost Story” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Classic Horror 2” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Trepidation” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Measured Paces” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Marty Gots a Plan” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The post The Three Halloween Cats first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

© Storyberries 2022

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LET’S CHAT ABOUT THE STORY ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Motivation, Conscientiousness

1. In this story, Antony the Ant teaches Scowly Puss that keeping busy can sometimes help us to not feel so bored. Why do you think this might be?

2. Scowly Puss takes great pride in making the perfect furniture for Queen Antonette. Do you think it is good that he took the time to do this job well? Why or why not?

Feelings, Sadness, Boredom

1. Why do you think Scowly Puss feels sad when he feels bored? Do you think the two feelings always come together? Why or why not?

Bedtime Story for Kids written by Jade Maitre

Illustrated by Dia Lee

Book design by Jade Maitre

Other Credits – Music video by March of the Spoons Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Zazie Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Marty Gots a Plan Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Two Finger Johnny Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The post Scowly Puss and the Very Rainy Day first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

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LET’S CHAT ABOUT THE STORY ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Imagination, Creativity

1. Where do you think fairies might live around your home?

2. Can you imagine what household objects they would use to sleep in? To picnic with? To play with?

Kindness

1. The little girl in this story leaves little presents for the fairies at the end of her garden. Why do you think she does this?

2. Why do you think people often like to give gifts to the people they love?

Short Story for Kids written by Jade Maitre

Illustrations by Mia Holovach

Book design by Jade Maitre

Music Video from zapsplat.com

The post The Fairy Garden first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

“But I don’t want to go to the party!”

Sophia stamped her foot as her mother brushed her red curls out of her face.

“My darling, you have to go. Now, your cousin has been kind enough to invite you to her tea party. It would be rude to not go.”

“But I don’t even like Samantha. She is snotty and a snob. She is a snotty snob!” Sophia huffed

Her mother sighed and placed a large sun hat with a yellow bow on Sophia’s head. Sophia hated that hat almost as much as she hated that it went perfectly with her yellow sundress.

“I promise you will have a good time once you go. Now, you know the way to your cousin’s. Take the path through the woods. It is going to be a grand party. Your aunt has told me they have lined the path with blue ribbons to help guide the guests. You can take your bicycle. Follow the blue ribbons all the way there. Don’t go off the path and don’t lose your invitation,” she said firmly, pressing the golden envelope into her hand.

Sophia kissed her mother goodbye and retrieved her bicycle from the shed. Her bicycle was her prized possession. It was cherry red with a white wicker basket on the front. She began to push her bike towards the forest. Her orange tabby cat Peaches crawled out from behind the shed and began to follow her into the woods.

“No, Peaches. You can’t come with me,” she said, shooing her away.

Peaches meowed in protest.

“Well alright, maybe with you there, the party won’t be so bad.”

She scooped the cat up, placed her in the basket, and rode into the woods.

Sophia had always liked the forest. It was big, open and free. The trees were so tall she thought perhaps she could climb them to the clouds.

It wasn’t long before she saw the blue ribbons tied in bows that would lead her to the tea party. She followed them deeper into the forest. She groaned… she wanted nothing more than to run away and skip the stupid party.

Something bright caught her eye. She turned her head. There in front of her, the path split. There was now a fork in the road. A small path led off to the denser part of the woods. Curiouser still, this path was lined with red ribbons.

“How odd! Peaches, look! There is a new path in the woods. I’ve been here many times and I have never seen this second path. Surely, I must follow it, if only just to see where it will take me. After all, when one is given a chance to be surprised, one must take it.”

Peaches meowed in agreement. They diverted down the second path, following the red ribbons. As they traveled down the new path, the trees began to look different. They changed from the familiar pine trees to a tall and twisted kind of tree that Sophia had never seen before. The sky also seemed to change from a pale blue to violet. Sophia shivered, for it had suddenly grown colder. Chunky snowflakes began to fall from the purple sky.

“I am suddenly not dressed properly. How strange for it to be snowing in June!”

The path lined with red ribbons stopped abruptly. At the end of the path was the largest tree Sophia had ever seen. It was larger than a house. She rubbed her eyes: actually, it seemed this tree was a house! A bright red door with a golden knob was placed on the outside. The door was just the right size for Sophia. The knob turned and the door appeared to open all by itself. Her cat began to meow wildly and sprang out from the basket.

“Peaches, come back!” Sophia cried, throwing her bicycle to the ground. But the cat had already disappeared behind the door.

Sophia peered inside. It seemed that the tree was not a house, after all. The open door revealed an underground tunnel that went farther than Sophia could see. A stick ladder lay against one side of the tunnel. She leaned in. She could hear cheerful music coming from deep inside the tunnel. A scrumptious smell tickled her nose.

“Well, I can’t go to cousin Samantha’s without Peaches. I must go after her.”

She gathered all the courage she could muster, which (she felt) didn’t amount to much more than a bread crumb. But a crumb of courage is more powerful than a fistful of fear.

She climbed down the ladder and followed the music. She felt as though she had been descending for quite some time, perhaps hours, she thought. Finally, her feet felt the firmness of a dirt floor. There were forest creatures dancing and playing instruments around a roaring bonfire. There were chairs and tables piled high with plates of rich food. It seemed like the animals were having a secret party of their own underground. There were bears, badgers, foxes, wolves, rabbits and even birds, all finely dressed and walking upright.

Sophia gasped in surprise.

Suddenly the music stopped. The creatures all turned to look at her.

“What is this human girl doing here?” demanded a rabbit who was dressed in trousers and holding a fiddle.

“I-I’m Sophia and I was just looking for my cat,” she stammered.

“Oh, you mean Mrs. Peaches. She is over there talking with Badger,” explained a bear, wearing a shimmering evening gown.
Sophia gasped at the sight of her cat speaking to a badger while walking upright on her hind legs.

“Oh, now I know I must be dreaming,” Sophia said as she rubbed her eyes.

“My dear, I am afraid this is a private party. Do you and your guest have an invitation?” asked a grey fox wearing a top hat and a tweed jacket. Large round glasses hung low on his snout.

“I-I um.” Sophia stuttered. She was cold and hungry and she did not want to leave without her cat. She fumbled around in her pocket and pulled out her cousin’s tea party invitation. She held it out to the fox.

“Oh, dear. Let me see. Can anyone here read human?” frowned the old fox.

The animals muttered and shook their heads. Sophia then got a clever idea.

“Oh yes! You see, it says here you are cordially invited to the party and – um – you may bring one guest with you. My guest is Peaches the cat over there,” she said, beaming at her own quick wit.

The old fox eyed the invitation and Sophia suspiciously.

“Well! Alright then! Let’s continue the party and please find something proper for Mrs. Peaches to wear. It is indecent for a feline of good upbringing to parade around in only their fur coats!” declared the old fox.

Sophia placed her hat on Peaches’s head and tied a ribbon from her hair around the cat’s neck.

The two sat side by side at a table.

“That was quick thinking! I just wanted to come for the food. I don’t actually know anyone here.” said Peaches.

Sophia did not think she would ever get used to hearing her cat speak.

The two ate hoards of delicious food. There were cakes, scones, fish, and berries. They even drank tea with milk and honey from dainty little cups.

The music started up again, and Sophia danced the night away alongside the woodland creatures. She waltzed with the fox and tangoed with the bear. She even learned a new dance from the rabbit who wore trousers. It was not until the night was nearly over that Sophia thought of the time.

“Oh no. I forgot the time. I really must be going. Thank you all for your kindness. This was the most splendid party I’ve ever been to!”

Each animal gave her a great big hug.

“There is still something I don’t quite understand,” said Sophia to the grey fox. “There was no other path all the other times I have entered the wood. Yet, this time there was?”

“Perhaps Sophia, the other times you weren’t looking for it,” said the grey fox with a wink.

“We were most delighted to have met you, Sophia. I do hope you come again to our next party. Someday you must come back teach us how to read human,” said one of the rabbits.

“Oh, yes! I promise I will.”

Sophia and her cat Peaches began the long climb back up the ladder. They climbed out of the tunnel and stepped through the door back into the forest.

“Wasn’t that a marvellous party, Peaches?” Sophia turned to find that Peaches was no longer walking on two legs. She was back on all fours now. She meowed and licked her paw carelessly. The hat and ribbon had been discarded. Sophia picked them up and placed the garments and the cat in the wicker basket of her bike and began to follow the path back home.

Soon the forest started looking as usual as ever, and the sun was again high in the sky, as if no time had passed at all. She could now see her house and the end of the forest.

“What a wonderfully peculiar day,” she thought.

© Storyberries 2021

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Let’s Chat About The Stories ~ Ideas for Talking With Kids

Imagination

1. What is the strangest thing you can imagine finding on a forest walk?

Honesty

1. Would you have done the same as Sophia, and pretended to have an invitation to a party such as this one? Why or why not?

2. Do you think there is any difference between a lie and what is called a “white-lie”? Why or why not?

Short story for kids written by Olivia Shewmake

Illustrated by Storyberries illustrator Sabrina

Music and sound effects for the video from zapsplat.com

The post The Uninvited Party Guests first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

© Sue Clancy 2020

Poem for Kids written and illustrated by Sue Clancy

Let’s Chat About The Stories ~ Ideas for Talking With Kids

Conversation, Optimism

1. What is your favourite poem in this collection? Why?

2. The poet Sue Clancy tells us that she wrote these poems about trying new things. Do you like to try new things?

3. Why do you think it might be a good thing to try new things every now and then?

About the Author Illustrator:

Sue Clancy, an American artist, author, and illustrator who lives in Washington state is known for her whimsical, timeless, comforting, quirky and oddly cute art images and artist books often featuring animals. Though she is the author/artist for more than 6 books and numerous fine art exhibits she is still very carefully supervised in her art studio by a miniature longhaired dachshund and a tabby cat. Clancy loves to read, cook and play with words and pictures. You can see more about Clancy’s art here: www.sueclancy.com

The post Patch La Belle first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

Copyright © Storyberries 2020

LET’S CHAT ABOUT THE STORY ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Creativity

1. What is the first letter of your name?

2. How many things can you think of that you like, and that start with the same letter?

Fairy Tale bedtime story written by Jade Maitre

Illustrations by RawPixel, with thanks.

Storyberries' Animal Antics ABC | Free Books | Bedtime Stories

Learn your ABCs with Storyberries' free alphabet book, filled with animal antics!

URL: https://www.storyberries.com/free-alphabet-books-for-kids-animal-antics-abc-learn-to-read-books/

Author: Jade Maitre

Editor's Rating:
5

The post Animal Antics ABC! first appeared on Bedtime Stories.