Short stories

Mum, read me one more story, please...Okay, just a short one. Looking for "one more" bedtime story? Our short stories will entertain and enlighten children in just a few minutes. They're perfect when you need entertainment on the go, to fill a short wait, or when you're tired but want to round off the day with a proper happy ending.

Christmas For Everyone

Christmas For Everyone

5
 min
5
+
4.86

Christmas is coming soon and little Carl is worried about whether their lonely neighbour Mrs Lizzie will get any Christmas presents. So he decides to make a gift for her himself. But how will the boy deal with it?

Magic Cleaning

Magic Cleaning

5
 min
3
+
4.82

Katie thought that her mother could work magic. In no time at all, she can make even the biggest mess disappear. How does she do it? With some help from a little spider, Katie learns how the magic works, and even tries it out herself. And together with Katie, you can learn how to keep things neat and tidy, too.

The Sleepy Kitten

The Sleepy Kitten

7
 min
1
+
4.82

The little kitten in this story is sleepy. He needs a soft pillow to help him fall asleep. But where can he find one? This soothing bedtime story for our youngest listeners takes you on a sleepy journey with the sweet little kitten to find the comfiest cat-nap spot.

The Nicest Gift

The Nicest Gift

6
 min
5
+
4.81

Emma is unhappy because the other children in her class make fun of her wild hair. But one day, her teacher’s wise words change her perspective. Come and join Emma’s classmates as they discover why her hair (and not only that) is actually a very valuable gift.

The Unusual Racer

The Unusual Racer

6
 min
5
+
4.75

Only the best kid-racers can take part in this race, and Lucy is among them. From the start, we can tell that Lucy is not an ordinary racer, but we don’t know what makes her exceptional until later in the story. The message here is that regardless of who we are, we can achieve our dreams.

The Tortoise and The Hare

The Tortoise and The Hare

5
 min
5
+
4.73

The hare was always showing-off, mocking the tortoise for being so slow and boasting about his running speed. Fed up with all the ridicule, the tortoise suggests holding a race. The hare finds this a completely comical idea and laughs his head off. But of course he cannot resist the opportunity to humiliate her, so a race is promptly organised. Let’s find out how they get on.

The Proud Cherry Tree

The Proud Cherry Tree

7
 min
5
+
4.71

The cherry tree boasts a lot about her fine flowers, which are also admired by the other inhabitants of the garden. She wouldn’t trade-in her pretty blossoms for anything in the world — they are as white and delicate as snow! But then she has a chat with a Chrysoperla insect and suddenly realises that there are more important things in life than pride.

The Life of a Caterpillar

The Life of a Caterpillar

8
 min
1
+
4.7

A caterpillar hatches and instantly begins to discover the beauty of the surrounding world. However, it’s disappointed at its own appearance when compared with all that it sees. Eventually that sadness disappears when it learns that it’s still developing and will one day turn into a beautiful butterfly.

Adventure of the Germs

Adventure of the Germs

7
 min
3
+
4.7

In this story you will learn about some extraordinary travellers: germs. They travel anywhere and everywhere. But one of their favourite destinations is the tummy of a child who doesn't wash their hands. How to get rid of such keen travellers, you may ask? Read on.

The White Chalk

The White Chalk

7
 min
3
+
4.7

Mia was using her brand-new coloured chalks to draw on the pavement, when she met a boy named Steve. Boasting about the many colours of chalk she had, she learned that Steve had only white chalk. She somehow felt superior to him until finally realising that white chalk was just as important as all the colours. Steve was a kind-hearted boy and they became good friends. Mia will not make the mistake of boasting about anything again.

The Rooster and the Fox

The Rooster and the Fox

4
 min
5
+
4.69

One day, a rooster meets a fox near the forest and is surprised when he tells him that all the animals are now friends and he need not be afraid of him. The rooster has his wits about him, though, and uses a clever trick to check whether the fox is telling him the truth.

The Old Oak Tree

The Old Oak Tree

5
 min
1
+
4.69

This bedtime story aims to connect the life of the forest with the lives of humans. An old oak tree provides protection and a peaceful place for forest creatures to rest, serving as a cosy home for many animals. The tale evokes a friendly atmosphere and a sense of security and safety, to comfort your child as they drift off to dreamland.

Friends from the Land of Eternal Winter

Friends from the Land of Eternal Winter

6
 min
3
+
4.68

Oliver is a little penguin who likes to play with his best friend, Minnie the seal. One day, when Minnie starts behaving strangely, Oliver sets out on a quest to find out what has changed. Can he accept his friend’s new friend? Learn more about friendships and jealousy in this story for very young children.

How the Sunshine Made Friends with the Rain

How the Sunshine Made Friends with the Rain

6
 min
3
+
4.68

Annette is grumpy, because it is going to rain all week while she is on holiday with her family. But on the way to the campsite she learns some new things about why rain is important. And then she sees something magical in the sky! Read this story to find out what it was.

Here’s to the Ants!

Here’s to the Ants!

7
 min
5
+
4.66

Black ants and red ants are not natural friends. However, when a heavy storm befalls the forest, it affects all the insects in our story. Both colonies of ants are equally endangered. These sworn enemies are not used to putting their differences aside, but suddenly they find themselves united in the name of survival. Let’s see how they resolve their animosity…

The Sad Willow

The Sad Willow

5
 min
3
+
4.64

Another in a series of stories about Oaky the oak elf. This time, Oaky meets an old, miserable willow tree. With a little quick thinking and some help from a passing boy, he manages to cheer the willow up and show how useful and beautiful its branches are, no matter their age.

Mio in Music Class

Mio in Music Class

5
 min
3
+
4.61

Read more about the experiences of this cute little elephant called Mio! Today during the music lesson, Mio learns the sounds made by different musical instruments, along with the children. Do you know the sounds of the different instruments too?

The Bear Who Couldn't Get To Sleep

The Bear Who Couldn't Get To Sleep

7
 min
3
+
4.59

Winter is coming and all the animals are settling down to hibernate, but this bear somehow can't get comfy. He needs a proper snow blanket. Grumpy and sleepy, he goes to the most unusual place: into the town, among the children. Will the bear finally manage to fall asleep?

Questions about

Short stories

How long does it take to read one of the short stories?

Most of our short stories can be read in about 4 to 7 minutes. The estimated reading time is shown in the story details, making it easy to choose a story that fits into your schedule.

Do the short stories come with activities or worksheets for children?

Many of our short stories are accompanied by fun, educational activities like interactive quizzes or free printable colouring pages that help children interact with the story on a deeper level and expand their creativity.

How do I know which short story is right for my child?

Each story on Readmio comes with a brief summary of key details that includes its themes, recommended age, and length. In the app you can also filter our story library by topic and by age group, or search by keywords. So it's easy to find something that's just right for your child. For example, if you're looking for a quick and light-hearted read for younger kids, About a Ladybird is a great choice, while older kids might enjoy more reflective tales like Hercules and the Potter. Need more tips? Check out our article about short bedtime stories!

Are there moral lessons or themes in the short stories?

Yes, even our shortest stories often explore important values like kindness, courage, empathy, and honesty, subtly teaching children life lessons through engaging storytelling.

Are these short stories accompanied by audio or sound effects?

Yes, Readmio short stories are enriched with sound effects and music that bring the tales to life, making the reading experience even more magical and engaging.

Are the short stories suitable for group activities or classroom use?

Yes! Many of our short stories, like The Grasshopper and the Ants, are perfect for group reading sessions in classrooms or at home. They make a great starting point for discussions about important values, like teamwork, forward-thinking, or helping others, and can lead well into other interactive activities.

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