Bedtime Stories

Sleepy History

Slumber Studios

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.5 • 877 Ratings

🗓️ 19 April 2026

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

✨Sleepy History is written and narrated by humans. ✨ Narrated By: Jessika Gössl Written By: Jo Steer Bedtime stories have long drifted through the quiet hours of night, carrying voices, dreams, and gentle wisdom across generations. From whispered folklore and timeless fairy tales to beloved children’s stories from around the world, they have soothed restless minds and kindled imagination beneath dimming light. Passed from voice to voice, page to page, these stories weave comfort, wonder, and a sense of home. Tonight, wander through the origins, traditions, and enduring magic of bedtime stories, as you drift into a peaceful and dream-filled sleep. Includes mentions of: Magic, Children, religious traditions, Folklore, Fairytales, Literature & Literary History, Mythology, Animals, Christmas, Food. #history #sleep #bedtime #Storytelling #fairytales #folklore #oralstorytelling #religioustraditions #mythology About Sleepy History Explore history's most intriguing stories, people, places, events, and mysteries, delivered in a supremely calming atmosphere. If you struggle to fall asleep and you have a curious mind, Sleepy History is the perfect bedtime companion. Our stories will gently grasp your attention, pulling your mind away from any racing thoughts, making room for the soothing music and calming narration to guide you into a peaceful sleep. Want to enjoy Sleepy History ad-free? Start your 7-day free trial of Sleepy History Premium: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sleepyhistory.supercast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have feedback or an episode request? Let us know at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sleepy History is a production of Slumber Studios. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.slumberstudios.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is Sleepy History.
0:07.3	Sleepy History is a production of Slumber Studios.
0:12.0	To listen ad-free, get access to bonus episodes,
0:16.3	and support the ongoing production of this show.
0:20.0	Check out our premium feed.
0:27.4	For many families, and especially those with younger children,
0:32.8	bedtime stories are a nightly tradition.
0:36.7	There's something so magical about a good story,
0:41.9	one that allows us to relax at the end of the day as we escape into another world. But where and
0:51.8	when did this tradition actually begin?
0:56.6	That's what we'll be exploring this evening, as we look at stories from around the world,
1:04.9	from ancient Egyptian myths to Russian folk tales.
1:22.0	So just relax and let your mind drift as we explore the sleepy history of bedtime stories.
1:41.3	Okay. The term bedtime story is a relatively recent one. It first appeared in print in the 19th century.
1:47.2	The American writer Louise Chandler-Moulton wrote many books for children, including bedtime
1:55.4	stories and stories told at Twilight.
2:01.6	Born in 1835 in Connecticut,
2:05.6	Malton grew up in a strict religious household.
2:09.6	With games and dances banned, she had only her imagination,
2:16.6	something which no doubt influenced her later writing.
2:22.7	Bedtime Stories was published in 1873 and included 12 stories meant to be read aloud to children.
2:33.4	It's similar to what you'd find in a children's book today, complete
	...

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