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A complete little story before lights out

5-minute bedtime stories for busy nights

Open a short illustrated story, press play on the narration, or make a new one about something your child loves.

Short on time? The time shown on each narrated story comes from the audio itself, so you can choose one that fits before lights out.

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  • Free to read
  • No account needed
  • Read aloud or press play
Cover of Orla and the Moon's Lost Glow
2:49Narrated

Pick the one that fits before lights out

Orla and the Moon's Lost Glow

Open this story

Choose tonight's book

Actual narration time2:49

Timed from the finished narration, so you know how long it really takes.

Hear the real narration

“That misty night, the shore felt very still. Orla peeked from her little lighthouse door and…”

Open the Storybook

Real DreamPages books

Short stories ready to open now

Open any book and enjoy the whole story together.

Cover of Orla and the Moon's Lost Glow
2:49 Narrated

Orla and the Moon's Lost Glow

Open the story
Cover of Tilda Turtle Takes the Long Way
1:44 Narrated

Tilda Turtle Takes the Long Way

Open the story
Cover of Marlow and the Wandering Star
2:54 Narrated

Marlow and the Wandering Star

Open the story

For tonight

When there are only five minutes before lights out

01

Open one right away

Every example is ready to read or listen to—no setup first.

02

Make it theirs

Start with a favorite animal, toy, or family joke and turn it into tonight’s story.

03

End on a cozy note

Choose a gentle idea that brings the adventure home before goodnight.

Choose a spark

Start a five-minute story from one sentence

Pick one, then add your child’s name, a favorite toy, or something from today. One small detail makes it theirs.

“A sleepy fox follows one last firefly home”“A little cloud cannot find the right place to sleep”“A penguin returns a lost star before bedtime”“A stuffed bear quietly tucks in every toy in the room”“A tiny dragon learns a calm new bedtime routine”“A moon moth delivers one final goodnight message”

Questions, answered

Before you choose tonight's story

Are these really five-minute bedtime stories?

Yes. The time shown on each narrated story is its actual audio length. Reading it yourself may take a little more or less time, especially when someone stops to talk about the pictures.

Can I make a five-minute story of my own?

Yes. Choose Quick, the shortest length, for a story about this long. Free accounts can make one Quick story in words every day, and a Quick Storybook adds a picture on every page and narration. Your first Storybook is free.

Can I listen instead of reading aloud?

Stories marked Narrated include expressive audio inside the illustrated reader.

Can I create a short personalized version?

Yes. Start with one of the ideas here, then add a favorite animal, toy, place, or person to make it feel like theirs.

Make a little story for tonight

A favorite animal, toy, person, or place is enough to begin. Your first illustrated, narrated Storybook is free.

Make a five-minute story Browse bedtime stories
  • First Storybook free
  • No credit card
  • Parent controlled