3 Year Olds

• “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” is a beloved children’s book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. The story follows the mischievous adventures of Peter, a young rabbit who disobeys his mother’s warning and ventures into Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden. After getting caught and nearly turned into a rabbit pie, Peter narrowly escapes and returns home to his worried mother. The book has been a classic since its publication in 1902 and has delighted generations of children with its charming illustrations and timeless tale of curiosity, disobedience, and forgiveness.

• “Maya the Bee” is a children’s novel written by German author Waldemar Bonsels, first published in 1912. The book tells the story of a young bee named Maya who is curious about the world beyond her hive and goes on various adventures, making friends and learning valuable lessons along the way. Maya’s adventures include encounters with other insects, animals, and humans. The novel was popular and has been translated into many languages and adapted into various media, including animated television series, films, and stage productions. It remains a classic in children’s literature and continues to captivate young readers around the world.

• “The Road to Sleepytown” is a children’s picture book written by Laura Rountree Smith and illustrated by Aaron DeWitt. The story follows a young boy who is struggling to fall asleep, so he embarks on a magical journey to Sleepytown, a place where all his dreams can come true. Along the way, he encounters various whimsical characters and experiences exciting adventures until he finally arrives at his destination. With its imaginative storyline and colorful illustrations, “The Road to Sleepytown” is a charming bedtime story that encourages children to embrace their imaginations and find joy in the journey of falling asleep.

4 Year Olds

• “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” is a classic fairy tale about a young girl named Goldilocks who enters the house of three bears while they are away. She finds three bowls of porridge, three chairs, and three beds, but only one set is just right for her. However, when the bears return and find their things disturbed, they become angry. In most versions of the story, Goldilocks runs away before the bears catch her. The tale has been retold and adapted numerous times, and it remains a popular story for children. The original version was written by British poet Robert Southey and was first published in 1837.

• “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” is a children’s book written by A.A. Milne and published in 1926. It tells the story of a bear named Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. In the story, Pooh becomes obsessed with obtaining honey from a beehive and enlists the help of his friends to achieve his goal. The book is known for its whimsical characters, playful language, and gentle humor, and has become a beloved classic of children’s literature. It has been adapted into numerous formats, including a Disney animated feature film, and continues to captivate generations of readers.

• “The Three Little Pigs” is a classic folktale that tells the story of three pig brothers who build their own homes. The first pig builds a house out of straw, the second pig builds a house out of sticks, and the third pig builds a sturdy house out of bricks. When a hungry wolf comes along and tries to blow down their houses, the first two pigs’ houses are destroyed, but the third pig’s house withstands the wolf’s fierce blows. In the end, the wolf falls into a pot of boiling water while trying to climb down the chimney of the third pig’s house, and the three little pigs live happily ever after in their secure and cozy brick house. The story teaches the importance of hard work, planning, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

5 Year Olds

• “Bambi” is a novel written by Felix Salten and first published in 1923. The story follows the life of a young deer named Bambi as he grows up in a forest, learning about the dangers and joys of nature, and encountering other animals such as Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk. Along the way, Bambi faces challenges and struggles, including the threat of hunters and the death of his mother. The novel explores themes of innocence, loss, and the cycle of life in the natural world. “Bambi” has been adapted into several films and has become a beloved classic of children’s literature.

• “Peter Pan” is a classic children’s novel written by J.M. Barrie and first published in 1911. The story revolves around a mischievous boy named Peter Pan, who never grows up, and his adventures in the magical world of Neverland. Peter takes three siblings, Wendy, John, and Michael Darling, on a journey to Neverland, where they encounter fairies, pirates, and other magical creatures. Along the way, Peter and the children must fight against the evil Captain Hook, who seeks revenge against Peter for cutting off his hand and feeding it to a crocodile. The novel has become a beloved classic and has inspired numerous adaptations in film, theater, and other media. The story explores themes of childhood, imagination, and the fear of growing up.

• “Three Billy Goats Gruff” is a Norwegian folktale collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. The story revolves around three goats who try to cross a bridge to reach a green pasture, but they are stopped by a fearsome troll who lives beneath it. Each goat outsmarts the troll and crosses the bridge safely, until the troll is finally defeated by the biggest and strongest goat. The story teaches children the importance of being clever and brave when facing challenges, as well as the value of working together to overcome obstacles.

6 Year Olds

• “Sunshine and Her Siblings” is a short story by Louise M. Alcott, the author of the famous novel “Little Women.” The story follows a group of siblings who are orphaned and left to fend for themselves. The eldest sister, Sunshine, takes on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings and works hard to provide for them. Despite the challenges they face, the siblings remain close and find joy in each other’s company. The story celebrates the resilience and love of family, even in difficult circumstances.

• “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is a short story by Rudyard Kipling about a young mongoose named Rikki-Tikki-Tavi who is adopted by a British family living in India. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi becomes friends with the family and protects them from a pair of venomous cobras, Nag and Nagaina, who live in their garden. Despite the cobras’ attempts to kill Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, he ultimately defeats them and saves the family from harm. The story explores themes of loyalty, courage, and the struggle between good and evil. It is a popular children’s story and has been adapted into numerous films and television shows.

• “Rumpelstiltskin” is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. The story follows a miller’s daughter who is forced to spin straw into gold for the king. A strange little man appears and offers to help her in exchange for something of value. The girl agrees, and the little man helps her spin the straw into gold. The king is impressed and demands that the girl do it again, threatening to kill her if she fails. The little man returns, and once again, the girl agrees to give him something of value in exchange for his help. This continues for three nights until the little man demands the girl’s firstborn child. When the child is born, the little man returns to claim it, but the girl begs and pleads with him to let her keep it. He relents and gives her one more chance to guess his name. She discovers that his name is Rumpelstiltskin and keeps her child.

7 Year Olds

• “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is a children’s novel written by L. Frank Baum. The story follows a young girl named Dorothy, who lives with her aunt and uncle in Kansas. During a tornado, she and her dog, Toto, are swept away to the magical land of Oz. There, she embarks on a journey to find the Wizard of Oz, who she believes can help her return home. Along the way, she meets a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion, who all join her on her journey. Together, they overcome various obstacles and defeat the Wicked Witch of the West, with the help of the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy eventually discovers that she had the power to return home all along and clicks her heels three times to do so. The novel has become a classic of children’s literature, and its themes of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery continue to resonate with readers of all ages.

• “Puss in Boots” is a French fairy tale written by Charles Perrault in the 17th century. The story follows the adventures of a clever cat who uses his wit and cunning to help his poor master, a young man who inherits nothing but a cat from his deceased father. With the cat’s help, the young man acquires wealth, fame, and the love of a beautiful princess. The cat’s resourcefulness and cunning are the key to the story, as he uses his intelligence and quick thinking to manipulate situations and overcome obstacles. The tale has been adapted into numerous films, TV shows, and other works of literature, making it one of the most beloved and enduring fairy tales of all time.

• “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. It tells the story of twelve princesses who, every night, mysteriously wear out their shoes despite them being locked in their bedroom. The king, their father, offers a reward to anyone who can solve the mystery. A young soldier, with the help of a magical invisibility cloak, discovers that the princesses are secretly dancing the night away with twelve princes in a magical underground kingdom. The soldier shares the secret with the king and marries the eldest princess, while the other princesses continue to dance happily ever after. The tale has been adapted and reimagined in various forms, including literature, theater, and film.

8 Year Olds

• “Beauty and the Beast” is a classic French fairy tale written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740. The story tells the tale of a wealthy merchant who is forced to give up his youngest daughter, Beauty, to a fearsome beast in exchange for his life. As Beauty lives with the beast in his enchanted castle, she begins to see past his terrifying exterior and discovers his kind heart. Through her love and compassion, she breaks the curse that has transformed him into a beast and they live happily ever after. The story has been adapted into numerous films, stage productions, and other works of art, and is considered a timeless classic.

• “The Lion and the Mouse” is a well-known fable by Aesop, believed to have originated in ancient Greece. The story tells of a mighty lion who is trapped by a hunter’s net, and is eventually freed by a small, timid mouse who gnaws through the ropes. Despite the lion’s initial skepticism, he later learns to appreciate the mouse’s small but significant act of kindness, and is grateful for his help. The fable teaches the moral lesson that even the weakest and smallest of creatures can be of great help and value to those in need, and that kindness and gratitude are virtues to be valued above all else.

• “St. George and the Dragon” is a children’s book written by Louey Chisholm and illustrated by Margaret Tarrant. The story follows St. George, a brave knight, as he sets out to rescue a princess from a ferocious dragon. Along the way, he faces various obstacles and battles the dragon in a thrilling showdown. The book is a classic tale of heroism and courage that has been enjoyed by children for generations.

9 Year Olds

• “Sparrow’s Search for the Rain” is a children’s book written by Cyrus MacMillan that tells the story of a sparrow who sets out on a quest to find rain during a drought. Along the way, Sparrow encounters various animals who join in his search and provide assistance. Eventually, Sparrow discovers the source of the rain and returns to his community to bring the much-needed water. The book teaches important lessons about perseverance, friendship, and the interconnectedness of nature. It is a heartwarming and engaging tale that is sure to captivate young readers.

• “Why The Bananas Belong To The Monkey” is a fable by Elsie Spicer Eells that tells the story of how the banana came to belong to the monkey. The fable begins with the animals of the jungle discussing the ownership of various fruits, including the banana. The monkey argues that the banana should belong to him because he is the only one who knows how to open it. The other animals initially resist, but eventually agree to let the monkey have the banana in exchange for his help in opening it. The fable concludes with the moral that those who possess knowledge are often the ones who benefit the most from it.

• “Achilles” is a character from Greek mythology and is considered one of the greatest heroes of the Trojan War. He was a warrior of unmatched strength, courage, and skill in battle, and was said to be invincible except for his heel, which was his only vulnerable spot. According to legend, Achilles was dipped in the River Styx by his mother Thetis to make him invulnerable, but because she held him by his heel, this area remained unprotected. The term “Achilles’ heel” is now commonly used to refer to a person’s vulnerability or weak point.

10 Year Olds

• “Romeo and Juliet” is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare, set in the Italian city of Verona. It tells the story of two young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who belong to feuding families. Despite their families’ bitter rivalry, Romeo and Juliet fall deeply in love and secretly marry. However, their joy is short-lived as a series of unfortunate events unfold, leading to the tragic deaths of both Romeo and Juliet. The play explores themes such as love, fate, and the destructive power of hatred and prejudice. It remains one of Shakespeare’s most famous and enduring works, and has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and operas.

In conclusion, Ririro’s Ultimate Bedtime Stories Guide has something for everyone, providing a diverse collection of short and long night-time stories for children of all ages. To make your bedtime storytelling experience even more seamless, we offer downloadable PDFs and printable versions of these captivating tales, ensuring they’re readily available whenever you’re ready to read.

For those busy nights when you only have 5 minutes to tell a story, we’ve got you covered with quick, engaging tales perfect for a brief escape into the world of imagination. Our read-aloud tips and selections with audio will make it easy for you to bring these stories to life, while classic stories with pictures will delight your child’s senses and make bedtime a cherished ritual.

Our collection also includes stories to help your child fall asleep peacefully, with soothing goodnight stories designed to lull them into a restful slumber. These nighttime stories, available in English, will not only entertain but also impart valuable lessons, as many come with morals to inspire thoughtful reflection and growth.

Ririro is committed to making bedtime an enchanting experience, and our Ultimate Bedtime Stories Guide is here to ensure that every night ends with a magical journey into the realm of dreams.