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.

Mio in Music Class

Mio in Music Class

5
 min
3
+
4.58

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?

Adventure of the Germs

Adventure of the Germs

7
 min
3
+
4.69

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
+
4.77

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.

How the Sunshine Made Friends with the Rain

How the Sunshine Made Friends with the Rain

6
 min
3
+
4.64

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.

Monkey-Business

Monkey-Business

5
 min
3
+
4.67

As with many younger siblings, Clive feels like he’s a nuisance to his big sister. And indeed, Frances finally reaches her wit’s end with him. But then circumstances change, causing Frances to realise that her little brother is actually pretty great after all.

Kindly Taxi Maxi

Kindly Taxi Maxi

8
 min
5
+
4.48

Every day, taxi Maxi takes people where they need to go. He truly enjoys driving through the streets and scanning the lovely vistas. But he also likes to chat with the passengers, and lately everyone's always in such a hurry to get somewhere. It’s as if people have forgotten to enjoy the present moment. When a particularly distressed gentleman gets into his taxi, Maxi notices the man’s frustration and decides to make his life a little happier.

Mio’s Classical Music Lesson

Mio’s Classical Music Lesson

7
 min
5
+
4.84

Come and listen to some classical music together with the Year 2 pupils. Under the guidance of their clever teacher, you can discover the many ways in which music expresses itself, and how it affects us. And of course, you’ll be able to enjoy the cheerful company of Mio, the most good-natured elephant ever!

New Year’s Eve for the Birds!

New Year’s Eve for the Birds!

7
 min
3
+
4.63

The last day of the year is fast approaching, and while people always look forward to a spectacular fireworks display, the traditional celebrations distress the animals — the blasts terrify them and endanger their lives. Not wishing to face it any more, the local birds plan to escape the city en masse. But just as they fly off, they’re (happily) taken by surprise.

The Fox, the Rabbit, and the Owl

The Fox, the Rabbit, and the Owl

7
 min
3
+
4.66

Fiona the fox is annoyed that she can’t draw as nicely as her other forest friends, even though she tries very hard. But when Olive the owl has an accident, Fiona doesn’t hesitate to assist, dashing to Olive’s aid and helping her friend. As a result, Fiona realises that her particular skills lie elsewhere…

And Finally, To Sleep

And Finally, To Sleep

4
 min
1
+
4.61

Lenny the octopus was attempting to drift off to sleep one night, but her arms had another idea — they simply wouldn’t settle down! Those fidgety appendages kept wriggling every which way. Luckily, her mum was available for a cuddle, and she also composed a poem... Lenny’s silly arms soon became calm.

Charlie and the Dark

Charlie and the Dark

5
 min
3
+
4.72

In this story, the dark is actually afraid of the light. It’s up to young Charlie to reassure the dark that it has nothing to worry about. He achieves this by showing the dark that it has a magic of its own and that the light cannot hurt it. The dark could then relax, which made them both happy.

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.

Mio tip: install the Readmio